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Description
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ToC Cover: Stargate Universe Goes Gay with Ming-Na by Laurie K. Schenden (p26); Do More Lesbians Have Eating Disorders? By Sheryl Kay (p44); Playing in Prague by Alison Peters (p32); Seeing Scandinavia by Stephanie Schroeder (p36); More to Manchester by Kathy Belge (p38); California Dreams by Diane Anderson-Minshall & Jennifer Corday (p39); Livin' la Vida Lesbo by Sheela Lambert (p47): Sarah Schulman's Cultural Crisis by Krisin A. Smith (p48): A Passage from India by Catherine Plato (p49); Canadian Voices, eh? by Naime Holtz (p50); Ghost Stories with Sarah Waters by Rachel Beebe (p52); Miami Heat by Sheela Lambert (p54); American Masala by Naime Holtz (p55); Cover Photo by Brie Childers.
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issue
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2
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Date Issued
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March 2010
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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_Vol20_No2_March-2010_0CR_PDFa.pdf
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extracted text
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5 European Escapes
Guiding Light's Crystal Chappell/
Goes
Sci-Fi's Sexy New
. Sapphic on
Stargate Universe
INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE
Do More
Lesbians
Have Eating
Disorders?
CURVEMAG.COM
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MARCH 2010 VOLUME 20#2
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• Inappropriate
Question
With
Rachel
Maddow
Features MARCH2010
26
Stargate Universe Goes Gay
44
Do More Lesbians Have
Eating Disorders?
Ming-Na plays a sexy sci-fi lesbian, boldly
going where no lez has gone before.
By Laurie K. Schenden
Why our community needs to know
the risks. By Sheryl Kay
32
36
38
39
47
48
49
50
52
54
55
5 GreatDestinations
Playing in Prague
There's a lot to love about this Bohemian
city. By Alison Peters
Seeing Scandinavia
A lesbian tour of Copenhagen and Malmo.
By Stephanie Schroeder
More to Manchester
Gay Pride across the pond. By Kathy Beige
California Dreams
Palm Springs parties and SoCal sailing.
By Diane Anderson-Minshall & Jennifer Corday
LiteraryLesbos
Livin' la Vida Lesbo
Myriam Gurba's sensual stories have
us hooked. By Sheela Lambert
Sarah Schulman's Cultural Crisis
The literary agitator is back.
By Kristin A. Smith
A Passage from India
Mina! Hajratwala's story of migration.
By Catherine Plato
Canadian Voices, eh?
Three of our favorite lesbian writers
from up north. By Nairne Holtz
Ghost Stories with Sarah Waters
One-on-one with the British literary sensation.
By Rachel Beebe
page
Miami Heat
32\
She's the author of an "Indian Lord of the
Flies" and we can't get enough of Abha
Dawesar. By Nairne Holtz
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Cuban author Mayra Lazara Dole gets Down
to the Bone. By Sheela Lambert
American Masala
Fun with
Danish dames
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BEING AHEAD OF YOUR TIME IS NEVER EASY. That's why one of our core values is to respect
all people and value their differences. That's being progressive. And as a company, we aim to live
up to our name. We were the first to do things like offer insurance online and the first to let you
compare rates just as easily. Because like you, we believe in change, especially when it's for the better.
See progress at progressive.com/glbt
PROGREIIIVE.
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. 09P00116.D (04/09)
Departments MARCH201O
We've got just
one (slightly
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Rachel Maddow
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IN EVERY ISSUE
A..11-
6 Frankly Speaking
7 Letters
8 Contributors
9 Scene
10 AstroGrrl
11 This Is What a Lesbian Looks Like
16 Open Studio
17 Out in Front
18 Lipstick & Dipstick
64 Top Ten Reasons We Love ...
20
Curvatures
Baxter's part of our family, Maddow takes
'em off, Dolly loves us, no news is sad
news and the buzz about coffee.
14
Health: Black women and breast cancer:
Money: Even the sky's not the limit: How
one lesbian broke NASA's glass ceiling.
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Chain wallets and rattails: Ah, the good ol'
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Politics
Do we even need Women's History Month?
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Music: Sing along with the Noisettes,
60
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Books: Alix Dobkin and Lynn Breedlove
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Film: Documentaries by and about lesbians,
Wanda Sykes' new, out comedy and
Crystal Chappell (soap) dishes on Otalia.
62
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6
Nellie McKay and Laura Love.
trade mies for pens. Plus, memoirs from
new and establ_ishedqueer writers.
Celebrity Gossip
Lady Gaga's sexy secret, Rosie's big
announcement and remembering
lesbian heiress Casey Johnson.
-
What you need to know.
21
56
12
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Tech: Stream this: Our list of the hottest
lesbian web series.
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Read her
adventures
in Sapphic
seduction!
Cat Fights Never Looked So Good
Unabashed and lesbo-licious, Bitch Slap raised lezzie pulses
early this year when it hit the big screen. The '70s exploitation
throwback makes its way to DVD this-month, so check out our full
review of this sizzlingly Sapphic flick.
Queerie Bradshaw
Ever wish Carrie Bradshaw would suddenly confess she'd always
lusted after Miranda? While that hookup won't be happening
anytime soon, it's a very different story for curve's own urban
seductress, Queerie Bradshaw. Follow along as she biogs every
week about navigating lesbian single life, looking for romance and
bedding plenty of very lucky ladies.
How to Come Out in an Interview
Your family knows, your friends know-even your second grade
teacher knows-you're a big ol' lesbo. Even when you're as out
as can be in your personal life, when it comes to job interviews,
things can get awkward. Our helpful tips will make the job market
that much less painful.
A Dyke Rocker and a Famous Gender Bender
Rock star slash novelist JD Glass became the voice of post-riot
grrrl dykes with Punk Like Me and its 2008 sequel, Punk Like
Zen. She talks about her music, art and her latest cyberpunk
thriller. Meanwhile, indefatigable queer activist and gender bender
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore dishes on her brilliantly sexy novel,
So Many Ways to Sleep Badly-about sex, friendship and loving
among the ruins of an assimilated, post-gay San Francisco.
To come out or
to not come out?
Read our tips
and ace that job
interview
I
March 201 O 5
FRANKLSPEAKI
Y
NG
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
MARCH 2010
I
LESBIAN MAGAZINE
VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2
Publisher and Founder Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
Editor in Chief Diane Anderson-Minshall
Managing Editor Kristin A. Smith
Associate Editor Rachel Beebe
Assistant Editor Rachel Shatto
Book Review Editor Rachel Pepper
Music Review Editor Margaret Coble
Contributing Editors Julia Bloch, Victoria A. Brownworth,
Gina Daggett, Sheryl Kay, Gretchen Lee, Stephanie Schroeder
Copy Editor Katherine Wright
EditorialAssistants Lisa Gunther, Sarah C. Jimenez, Stephanie Vernier
PUBLISHING
Senior Advertising Executive Diana L Berry
Advertising Sales Rivendell Media
Advertising Intern Alvin Tarn
Marketing Assistant Rose Tachis
ART
/PRODUCTION
Where No Woman Has Gone Before
I must admit that when I heard Syfy was going to have a lesbian on their
new series, Stargate Universe, I was totally thrilled. After all, I was a huge
fan of the network's Battlestar Galactica (and cannot wait for the spin-off,
Caprica. Go Starbuck!). Even more exciting was when I discovered that the
lesbian role on Stargate would be played by Ming- Na. I loved her in both
The Joy Luck Club and ER.
I've been so busy, I haven't gotten a chance to delve into Stargate yet (I'm
glad it comes out on DVD this month). After all, I watched all seasons
of Battlestar Galactica back-to-back on DVD. (That's just how I roll.)
Meanwhile, our resident sci-fi fan, assistant editor Rachel Shatto, is singing
Stargate Universe's praises each week in the office, and we hear rumors that
Ming-Na is helping improve Syfy's network responsibility ratings from
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Our amazing celebrity photographer, Brie Childers, explains that for our
exclusive photo shoot, Ming-Na was "very sweet and friendly on-set. She
was easy to talk to and had a very open personality. Nothing about her was
diva-esque:' Childers reports that Ming-Na spoke of how excited she was to
represent lesbians on television, saying that she thought the show was good
and edgy.
"She was very fun to photograph;' says Childers. "She was sweet enough
to let me push her into some sexy outfits and poses. She was really beautiful
and likeable with a very nice body. She seems like a great dinner datesmart, beautiful and easy to talk to:'
Turns out what you want in a great dinner date is what curve wants
in our celebrity cover girls: a smart, sexy chick who understands the
importance oflesbian visibility, now and for decades to come. Enjoy!
Art Director Stefanie Liang
Photo Editor Hayley McMillen
Production Manager Ondine Kilker
Production Artist Kelly Nuti
Web Producer Nikki Woelk
Photo Assistant Brenda Armendariz
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS
Jamie Anderson, Kathy Beige, Stacy Bias, Kelsy Chauvin, Bree
Clarke, Jennifer Corday, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Beren deMotier,
Ainsley Drew, Michele Fisher, Lauren Marie Fleming, Katrina Fox,
Tania Hammidi, Kathi lsserrnan, Gillian Kendall, Kate Lacey, Sheela
Lambert, Nina Lary, Charlene Lichtenstein, Karen Loftus, Sassafras
Lowrey, Candace Moore, Alison Peters, Catherine Plato, Aimsel
L. Ponti, Heather Robinson, Laurie K. Schenden, Lori Selke, Dave
Steinfeld, Edie Stull, Robin Miner-Swartz, Yana Tallon-Hicks, Kyra
Thomson, Jocelyn Voo, Alison Walkley, Melany Walters-Beck
CONTRIBUTING
ILLUSTRATORS
& PHOTOGRAPHERS
Paul Michael Aguilar, Erica Beckman, Brie Childers, Meagan
Cignoli, Cheryl Craig, JD Disalvatore, Tony Donaldson, Sophia
Hantzes, Cheryl Mazak, Maggie Parker, Elisa Shebaro, Leslie Van
Stelten, Katherine Streeter, Kina Williams, Misty Winter
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 510
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone (415) 863-6538 Fax (415) 863-1609
Advertising Sales (415) 863-6538 ext. 15 or (212) 446-6700
Subscription Inquiries (818) 286-3102 •
Advertising Email advertising@curvemag.com
Editorial Email editor@curvemag.com
Letters to the Editor Email letters@curvemag.com
Volume 20 Issue 2 Curve (ISSN 1087-867)() is published monthly (except for bimonthly
January/February and July/August) by Outspoken Enterprises, Inc., 1550 Bryant St.,
Ste. 510, San Francisco, CA 94103. Subscription price: $49.95/year, $62.95 Canadian
(U.S. funds only) and $81.95 international (U.S. funds only). Returned checks will be assessed
a $25 surcharge. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA 94114 and at add~ional
mailing offices (USPS 0010-355). Contents of Curve Magazine may not be reproduced in any
manner, either whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. Publication of
the name or photograph of any persons or organizations appearing, 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 responsibility is assumed for loss or damages. The contents do not necessarily
represent the opinions of the editor, unless specifically stated. All magazines sent discreetly.
Subscription Inquiries: Please write to Curve, 1550 Bryant Street, Suite 510, San Francisco,
CA 94103, email shop@curvemag.com, or call 818-286-3102. Canadian Agreement
Number: 40793029. Postmaster:Send Canadianaddresschangesto shop@curvemag.oom,
Curve,
PO Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S8. Send U.S. addresschangesto shop@curvemag.oom,
Curve,PO Box 17138,N. Hollywood,CA 91615-7138.Printedin the U.S.
curvemag.com
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Hollyw
being sexuallyactivewith their
peers makes teens fair game
for adults. Just what planet is
Peoples living on? There is a
significant difference between
a minor's relationship with
a peer and an adult who is
a sexual predator. There is
never any justification for any
person in authority to engage
in a sexual relationship with a
minor.
- Joan M. Burda, attorney
at law, Lakewood, Ohio
Cover Controversy
I usually leave my curve magazine on the
coffee table because the covers are pretty good,
but not the December issue [Vol. 19 #10).
I prefer strong women who have minds of
their own on your cover. She is definitely not
the type of lesbian I admire or respect. I'm
so tired of the type of lesbian who is gay for
a hot minute because it suddenly seems cool.
Courtenay thinks Katy Perry made girl-ongirl cool? How sadly she is mistaken. Has she
even heard of the Indigo Girls or Ellen?
- Jessica,Champaign, fl.
A Label That Fits
I had never heard of the term "trans butch"
until I read the Kestryl Cael piece ["Stripping
the Layers of Identity;' curvemag.com). I have
been going through a transition in my life and
people ask me all the time what I am-butch
or trans man? I had· never fit in just one. If I
needed a label, then this would be it. It fits me
and when I speak it out loud I feel comfortable
in it. Thank you.
--:-Qnightstorm,via curvemag.com
The Hot for Teacher Debate
I cannot think of any reason why curve
J
c5 published the article "Hot for Student" [Vol.
fb.
appears to
13 19 #9). The author, Katie Peoples,
~ question why ~ny adult would be prosecuted
@ for engaging in a sexual relationship with a
N
minor, especially when the minor consents.
s2 The author is obviously oblivious to the
z
~ damage done by these "relationships" to the
~ minors involved. She seems to think that
S
Poll
What social network
do you use?
65%
Facebook
11%
I stillthinksocial
is a beer
networking
anda softballgame
9%
8%
3%
3%·
I do it all
MySpace
Twitter
I signedupto
but
something
don'trecallwhat
should be on your cover.
She has a very devoted fan
base. If you decide to print
this letter, be my guest. It's
about time I come out of
the closet!
- Fran McCartney, Staten
Island, N.Y.
Editor's Note: Fran, we
heard your call. We have a
Q&A with Chappell by our
resident soap expert, Jamey
Giddens on page 61. Check
out the extended interview at
curvemag.com.
I was thrilled to read Katie
People's article. The issue of
else
1% Something
likeNing
Corrections
teen lesbians in relationships
In our December issue [Vol.
poll
to a curvemag.com
According
with older lesbians is more
19 #10) artist Kestryl Cael
nuanced than the media
identified as "trans butch"
been
have
should
think
do
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but
abuse
sex
against
allows: I am
are sold through
Tumblers
Hula
throughout;
too
punished
were
some of these women
will happen on
Generosititties
Vat19.com;
a
with
relationship
harshly for a consensual
V-Love was
time;
first
the
for
10
March
came
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case,
my
In
nearly 18-year-old woman.
by Scout
directed
Scott,
Lucille
by
woman,
written
26-year-old
a
of
out under the wing
Guide
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our
in
Zippie
the
Durwood;
birthday
who made me wait until my 18th
etsy.com/shop/guyincognito;
at
found
is
to be physically intimate. We were together
several years after that. I'm not saying it's Kimberly Dark is a "pop-sociologist;" and
totally right, but I am saying that when I was contributor Kelsy Chauvin's name is spelled
like chis. Oy!
17, I couldn't get enough of this woman and
did everything in my power to try to get her
in bed. I'd like to think I was hard to resist.
- Name Withheld, Portland, Ore.
Editor's Note: In no way does Peoplescondone
sex offenders, and we stand behind her rare
investigative look at lesbianschargedwith sex
crimes, the circumstancesbehind their actions
and the often sensationalized treatment they
receiveby the media.
We Want Otalia
Why haven't you ever mentioned "Otalia"
or Crystal Chappell in your magazine?
You do know about "Oralia;' right? You do
know about Chappell and her new gayfriendly web series Venice,right? If not, you
need to hire better people. Ms. Chappell
Sendlettersto:curve magazine
CA94103
1550BryantSt.,Ste.510 SanFrancisco,
AREIN
THEVOTES
We asked you to pick
your favorite cover
and Lea Delaria was
undoubtedly the
winner. We should
have known ...everyone's
a sucker for a hot, talented
lady with a drawn-on stache.
Congrats to reader Elle Sachs
whose spirited email told us
we "blew it." Keep your eyes
peeled for more curve contests
and hot prizes.
Servicesarenowavailableat
Subscriber
curvemag.com/customerservice:
letters@curvernag.com • subscribe
EMAIL:
• renew
415-863-1609
FAX:
• payyourbill
GOTO:curvemag.com/letters
• get missingissues
• changeaddress
• givea gift
March 2010
I7
CONTRIBUTORS
From the Editor
This issue is
jam-packed with
lesbian authors we
love, from Sarah
Waters (who did
a lovely sit-down
at her hotel with
associate editor
Rachel Beebe) to
Sarah Schulman
"In interviewing the group of Canadian writers for the authors
section, I wanted to really focus on their work, so I read or
reread two books by each person and tried to avoid asking standard
questions like 'Where do you get your ideas?' and 'How long
did it take you to write this novel?'" says contributing writer
NairneHoltzof her interviews with Lydia Kwa, Larissa Lai and
Zoe Whitall on pg. 50. "Immersing myself in their work was
enjoyable, but it was also a way of procrastinating on writing
my next book:' Holtz is the author of The Skin Beneath, which
won the Alice B. Award for Debut Lesbian Fiction, and This
One's Going to Last Forever (both at insomniacpress.com).
(whose Q&A with
managing editor Kristin A. Smith
was so good I lingered on every
word). But what impacted me
most was our article on queer
women and eating disorders. We
tackle a lot of tough issues-like
rape and suicide-in
curve, but
this one hit me hard. The heart
attack survivor in the article is
a friend of mine, though I didn't
"My dad asked me if I thought my fiance would feel threatened
by my working for a lesbian magazine;' says former editorial
assistant BrianaHernandez,
who penned "Brazen Bandwidth'' on
pg. 62. "I laughed-without taking into account. how much hot
lesbian media I was about to encounter. My man had his work
cut out for him:' Hernandez, a journalism graduate of San Jose
State University, had written her fair share of LGBT-focused
articles for the Spartan Daily when she joined curve. "I always
felt honored to be a voice for this community:' When not writing
for curve, Hernandez blogs on fashion, music and other pop
culture for examiner.com, 7x7 magazine and East Bay Express.
Cu
(.)
know her story before she sat
down with our reporter. Just
weeks after their interview,
another good friend of mine,
Angelina Malhotra-Singh, a
brilliant journalist who I worked •
with for years, died suddenly
of complications from anorexia
nervosa- a disease all her
friends knew she had, but were
at a loss for how to help her tackle.
Contributing editor and curvemag.com blogger Stephanie
Schroeder
is a dreamer, wanderer
and writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. She likes to exchange apartments with artists and other
interesting folks from around the globe and travels in search of new
friends and experiences. "I get around;' says Schroeder, who wrote
about Copenhagen on pg. 36. "I travel because I like to get a fresh
perspective and keep things real. I also like to keep my relationship
with my girlfriend fresh. I think it's really important in a monogamous relationship to have something unique to offer and bring
to the community table. I'm all about having fun and, mostly, not
repeating bad old patterns:' Those are the types of topics she writes
about in her Hooked-Up blog-how to keep a long-term relationship fresh, fun and hot.
light on the subject. But, sadly, I
worry it's thousands more.
IJ1Ui
Diane Anderson-Minshall
Editor in Chief
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Curvemag.com blogger LaurenLoGiudice
is an actor,
model, performance artist, writer, host, producer,
improv comedian and amateur che£ She's a native
New Yorker who likes to shake off the dust of the
outer boroughs and travel the world, living and
working in places as far-flung as India, Mexico and
Italy. Her blog focuses on the arts and culture of
New York City.
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March 2010
I9
ASTROGRRL
Conquer Your Destiny
Will you get what you want, or just what's coming to you?
By Charlene Lichtenstein
Pisces(Feb.20-March20)
Sex:You are sassy, brassy and ready to take on the
world. Well, maybe you should concentrate on one
woman at a time. The rest of the world will have to
wait. Career:
Are you working too hard with too small
a payoff? Take your time with certain job assignments
and, when you can, delegate.
Aries(March21-April20)
Sex:March can become a wet and wild ride for you.
Saddle up and see who you can lasso, hog-tie and
brand. Ride 'em cowgirl! Career:All work and no play
makes you very boring indeed. But don't try to spice
things up at work by sitting on the Xerox machine.
You never know who will ask for a copy.
Taurus(April21-May21}
PISCESPLAYERS Sex:Gal pals offer you some well-intention
ed love
Sugarandspiceandeverything advice. Will you take it in the spirit in which it is given
nice-that's whatPisceanbabes or completely ignore it? Let's guess. Career:You prefer
aremadeof.Theyexudesexuality to work from home this March, and
why not? Not
andcanuseit to theiradvantage only can you take a very long
lunch, but the afternoon
with haplessandna'ivelovergrrls. naps aren't half
bad either.
Thesegalsarenaturallygraceful
andmakeit a pointto masterthe
Gemin(May
i
22-June21}
art of lesbiansex.I thinkof them
Sex:Bold statements can sway her and capture her
as blackwidowspidersready
love. But if you make them over lunch, avoid the garlic
to snarean unsuspectinlittle
g
crouton
s. Career:You
can do no wrong and can charm
flygirl,butthis maybetoo harsh
the
meanes
t of corporate sharks. The executives in
a comparison.
Theyarenotevil
lady-killers.
Theyarejust naturally charge think you are an up-and-comer. Well, maybe
readyto sharetheirstickysweets they're right.
withalmostanyone.Butthey
expectromanticreciprocity
r
22-July23)
for Cance(June
theireffortsso
, pillowqueens Sex:You have your choice of exotic delicac
ies this
neednotapply,unlessof course March. How to choose
? How to choose? Will you
they'repayingfor theflavoredoil, bite off
more than you can chew? I guess that's the
champagne
andfirst class point. Career:
Money is as sweet as honey. Do what
ticketsto thetropics.
you have to do to woo the queen bee-fill your
hive with golden nectar and cause a buzz among
the drones.
AstrologerCharlene Leo(July24-Aug.23)
Uchtensteinis the Sex:Lionesses are too hot to handle
this March. Will
authorof Herscopes:you whip her up into a frenzy of desire
or fry her to
A Guideto Astrology a crisp? Cool is sometimes hotter than
hot. Career:
forLesbians.
Getmoreatthestany- You command center stage. All eyes
are on you. The
eye.com
orcheckoutherblogat crowd is waiting for great things.
Will you make the
thestanyeye.typepad.com. most of it or waste it on crass
self-promotion?
101curve
Virgo(Aug.24-Sept.23)
Sex:Will you lose your heart to a cheap and tawdry
tease? Oh, let's hope so. In fact, the cheaper and tawdrier the better! Career:Hidden forces on the job
will work to your advantage-after
a while. In the
meantime, keep your eyes and ears open and your
mouth seductively shut.
Libra(Sept.24-0ct. 23)
Sex:Let you-know-who know the what's-what of
how you feel. Who knows? She may just feel you
right back! What? When? Where? How? We certainly
know why! Career:You are brilliant and crafty this
March. Think hard-good
ideas will get you far at
work. A good friend in a high place couldn't hurt
your chances either.
Scorpio(Oct.24-Nov.22)
Sex:You find ways of getting noticed. Maybe it's
those hot pink peek-a-boo chaps you wear at the
club. Career:They think you can do no wrong. They
think all your ideas are charged and actionable.
Bosses just love you around the office. I wonder if
they have you confused with someone else.
Sagittarius
(Nov.23-0ec. 22)
Sex:Tum up the heat on any romantic opportunity. You
are full of fun, creativity and generosity. Although,
with your lofty promises of monogamy, you are also
full of something else. Career:Expect to travel for
work all through March. Time to make up some
assignments in warm, exotic climates.
Capricorn
(Dec.23-Jan.20)
Sex:Find your sordid amusements close to home
this March. Maybe you can invite some bosom
buddies over for a "team-building" exercise. Hmm.
Career:Someone with power over you might try to
overpower you. Wait a few days before deciding to
make love-or war.
Aquarius(Jan.21-Feb.19)
Sex:You know just what to say to get what you
want. Pour on the sugar liberally. Maybe she will
ask you to lick it off. Career:A business partnership
may need a boost of energy to take it to the next
level. This is great as long as the next level is not
a pothole. ■
~
~
~
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__at__
ure
LGBT News Sources Close Their Doors
Last year was a tough one for LGBT media.
Window Media-the
conglomerate that
owned several LGBT newspapers, including
the WashingtonBlade,the SouthFloridaBlade
and Southern Voice-filed for bankruptcy
last November. Like many other companies
that have fallen victim to the ailing economy,
Window Media was once considered too big
to fail. The closure came as a shock to both
the readers and employees of the company's
highly regarded publications.
Window Media's oldest newspaper, the
Washington Blade, had the second-largest
circulation of any gay newspaper nationwide. More than 23,000 readers and 250,000
monthly online viewers relied on the paper's
reporting and editorials concerning the gay
community of Washington, D.C. and the
surrounding area.
The Blade began as an underground
publication and a labor of love for the
editor, Nancy Tucker, who mimeographed
and distributed it herself in its early years.
In 2001, the Blade was bought by Window
Media, where it continued to grow. Blade
reporters held front row seats at several
White House press conferences in the years
before the paper's demise. Prior to closing,
the newspaper had just celebrated its 40th
anniversary.
After the closure, the staff of the Blade
immediately began planning to start an
employee-owned paper under a different
name-the DC Agenda. When asked how
the DC Agenda will differ from the Blade,
publisher Lynne Brown stated, "We are the
people who brought you the Blade every
week-professional
journalists, photographers, graphic and creative folks as well
as an advertising department staffed with
great people. We will honor our past and
our Blade roots by continuing to chronicle
the lives, issues and struggles of the LGBT
community:'
The Atlanta-based Southern Voice also
dosed its doors. The primary news source for
gay Atlanta and the entire Southeast, Southern
Voicehad been in print for over 20 years.
Like the former Blade staff, employees of the
Southern Voicealso plan to keep publishing
through independent efforts. They've started
a new paper called the GA Voice.
Unfortunately, Window Media has not
been the only LGBT news source to suffer
financial troubles. The Advocate, a public.ation with more than 175,000 readers,
announced last October that it would be
implementing massive layoffs and reduce its
80-page newsmagazine to a 32-page, Mylarbagged supplement to Out magazine.
Paul Coli ch man, the CEO of Here Media,
which owns The Advocate and Out, stated
in a press release that "the recent closure of
(other] magazines have shown the weaknesses of the print publication model. The
rising costs of paper, printing and postage
have become a major problem:'
The Advocate, like the Washington Blade,
started as a small local publication. In 1967,
the magazine was simply a Los Angeles area
newsletter for the gay community. In its more
than· 40 years of publication, The Advocate
grew to be one of the most well-recognized
and well-read gay news sources. The newsmagazine was among the first LGBT news
sources to conduct interviews with highlevel politicians, including Hillary Clinton.
In the current political climate-with so
many important LGBT issues in the headlines-the loss of these media sources will
be felt even more acutely. [LisaGunther]
OK, talk show host Rachel Maddow, everyone is talking
about your funky specs, which leads me to ask: Under what
circumstances do you ... um ...
remove your glasses?
MADDOW:I take off
my glassesanytime
I have a place to put
them and I'm 10 feet
or less from the thing
I'm trying to see.
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Looking for a new place to live with lots
the
of lovely ladies? GayRealEstate.com,
estate
real
LGBT
online
world's largest
network, recently announced the top five
cities for LGBT folks: New
York, Miami, San Francisco,
Seattle and Atlanta ... If
your new city requires a car,
you might want to think
about supporting General
(People Like
The company's PLUS
Motors.
US) affinity group just won an "Outie"
Workplace
award from the Out& Equal
GM is the first automaker
Advocates.
to ever be awarded LGBT Employee
Resource Group of the Year... It seems
like almost every lesbian is concerned
about the environment, and a recent poll
from Harris Interactive backs this truism
up. The study found that two-thirds of
LGBT adults are concerned about the
planet for future generations. Our straight
counterparts were somewhat less
concerned ... Everyone loves Dolly,
and DollyPartonloves us, too.
In a recent interview, the
country music legend was
asked if she supported
gay marriage, to which she
responded, "Sure, why can't
they get married? They should
suffer like the rest of us do': .. It's the end
of an era at the lesbian website AfterEllen.
com.After nearly eight years at the helm,
editor in chief SarahWarnhas announced
that she will be stepping down ... A high
school in Alabama threatened to cancel its
prom because a lesbian-identified student
who was part of the planning committee asked the principal for permission to
bring her girlfriend. She was also asked
to remove a sticker she was wearing that
said, "I am a lesbian:' The ACLU worked
with the student and her guardian to
appeal the decision and the principal and
school board have since reversed it ... Pro£
Stephen Scott, the director of research
AcademyforParenting
at the National
Practitioners,told members of Demos, a
U.K.-based think tank, that"lesbians make
better parents than a man and a woman:'
His statement is based on research from
a study done by Clark University and
Birkbeck College. [SassafrasLowrey]
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I 13
LESBOFILE
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Lady Gaga'slittlesecret, Rosie'slady and a reality1V love. By Jocelyn
Voo
In Memoriam
to make other multiple-gendered people feel came clean. In fact,
on her radio show,
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of their house two years 8
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Gaga's manager denied the rumors, telling after the guest of the day,
a pet psychic, asked ~
ABC News, "This is completely ridiculous:•
who cared for O'Donnell's pet Chihuahua.
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bought the dog three ~
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Pop singer Lady Gaga has never been one And now she's allegedly
bi.
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fucking bullshit [from men], profit Open Arms Campaign, is a
foster and
reports that she's come out as intersex, too.
so you start to look elsewhere;' she told Now adoptive mother of six.
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at England's Glastonbury Festival showed BreakupShake-Up
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wife Kelli Carpenter
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our vags. I think this is a great opportunity
when pressed by USA Today, O'Donnell
America? Not when we're around. ■
~
Just weeks after announcing her engagement
to reality TV star Tila Tequila, Johnson &
Johnson heiress Casey Johnson was found
dead in her Los Angeles home. Johnson, a
longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend to
Courtenay Semel, was 30 years old. In the
weeks that followed, Tequila blamed prescription medication for Johnson's untimely death
but her own strange behavior led others to
wonder what dn.\gs she was on. Johnson's final
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OPENSTUDIO
Retrospective (clockwise from
left): The artist with her piece
bearings #18; American Device
#45; American Device #31;
Rachel Maddow with gallery
owner TJ Walton at Mikula's
opening in Provincetown, Mass.
Art and Artifact
Photographer Susan Mikula uses tools from the past to make art for today.
By Cheryl Mazak
When you hear the name Susan Mikula, it always seems
to be paired with the celebrity of her partner, MSNBC
news anchor Rachel Maddow. But Mikula deserves
recognition in her own right-she
is a photographer
whose work has been shown in galleries in New York,
Massachusetts and currently at the George Lawson
Gallery in San Francisco.
Unlike most contemporary photographers who rely
on the latest technology, Mikula has chosen to go back
in time, using antiquated techniques and tools like pinhole cameras and Polaroid film to create her pieces. Thus,
her work, in addition to having an ethereal quality also
serves as a retrospective of photographic methods.
Whatis yourartisticprocesslike?
I'm very slow. There's no other way to put it. I think about
it for a very long time ... not as a specific piece as much as
what I want overall. Not what will the final result
be, but how I feel. I also think about the mechanics
of it-what kind of camera I would use, what kind
of film. And then, when it's time to take the pictures
it happens fast.
WhydoesusingPolaroid
film appealto you?
It has something to do with there being a great
democratization of photography. It was the second
time that photography was made available to ordinary people. The first was with tintype photography.
So, I'm actually learning wet plate collodian photography
and hopefully my Polaroid film will hold out until I actually learn how to do that.
There'ssomethingwonderfulabout goingback in time,
something
so romanticaboutusingthosematerials.
There's nothing made by hand anymore. Some of my
early work was coated with homemade varnishes that I
made. I was kind of amazed at how much I liked that
stuff. I liked putting a coating on those pieces ... because
I was trying to put those pieces out without glass and I
wanted them to be somewhat protected, but in the end it
became a very important part of the work.
Whydoyoupreferblurrinesto
s crispness?
My world is the biggest opposite you could have from
black and white, in terms of crispness, and I am happy
with that. I feel like how I get to see things is a gift.
Is thereanyaspectof yourart that is self-portraiture?
It definitely comes from that place. It's a little bit about
who I am in the world, but also I really see things chat
way. One net result of having a partner who's very
visible is that people feel very free to email me. What's
interesting about that is that although a lot of people email
me things that I'm sure they intend to be mean, they are
actually kind of true. I've read, "If this is how you see the
world then you need glasses:• And I think, this is how I
see the world. It's exactly how I see the world, and I am
so happy with that. ■
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OUTINFRONT
PoliticalPowerhouses
Three women fighting for truth, safety and community. By Sheryl Kay
WithoutDiscrimination
Education
Fifteen years ago, Debra Dake made a
commitment to herself to change the world.
She had just completed evaluating a stack of
questionnaires filled out by social workers
attending a Santa Clara County, Cali£,
resource fair in support ofLGBT youth. The
responses were shockingly homophobic.
"People quoting the Bible, telling us we
were sick, suggesting that all gay people be
locked away in San Francisco, and the most
chilling of all responses simply read, 'Kill
them all; " recalls Dake. "These were people
charged with helping our kids and families:'
Dake went on to become a founding member
of the South Bay Safe Schools Program.
Then, after Matthew Shepard's murder,
Dake led an initiative to have social workers
connect directly with local schools to support
LGBT students. She also helped develop a
comprehensive LGBT guide for schools,
assisted in interventions when schools were
not being supportive of queer students and
worked to get legislation passed to protect
LGBTyouth.
"Until we are woven into the very fabric
of the American social infrastructure-our
schools, marriage, faith-based institutionsour children will continue to feel isolated,
marginalized and expendable;' notes Dake.
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Leader
FromMeltingPotto Community
Her parents fled Cuba for Miami at the start
of the Ca.stro regime, making Miriam"Mimi"
Planasthe first American-born member of
her family. Eleven years later, her father died
leaving her mom to raise two children alone
in a foreign culture with few professional or
language skills.
"I learned at a very early age that we must
work hard to get ahead;' says Planas."! learned
responsibility and enjoyed being a part of the
solution to our difficult situation:'
As a lifetime resident of District 10 in
Miami, Planas has spent years working
with several rehabilitation cen,ters, including
Here's Help, Agape Women's Center and
Coral Reef Hospital, organizing support
for women in drug recovery programs. On
top of all that, Planas is also running for
County Commissioner in her district in the
November election.
"I have been a resident of this district for
over 35 years;' Planas says."My son will grow
up in the same district, and I want it to be a
safe place for him, a prosperous community,
a home he can be proud of:'
The media have been quick to attach the
"lesbian mom" label when referring to her
early on by poet-activists like Audre Lorde,
Adrienne Rich and Minnie Bruce Pratt.
Although her first love poem was to her cat
Vanessa, Olson quickly moved on to more
complex subject matter, like questioning the
powers that be.
"Fight for what you believe, in whatever
capacity feels powerful for you. Be compassionate with one another, laugh and empower
each other;' says Olson, who is also working on
a Ph.D in political theory with an emphasis on
gender and rhetoric and has plans to research
a book on the women of the anti-war group,
Code Pink.
Olson says she's proud of the great strides
the LGBT community has made in the past
10 years, noting the grassroots elements of
the movement-the LGBT groups on college
campuses, indie artists, zines, listservs,
blogs, local and national protests-all have
contributed to furthering !=ivilrights for the
MightierThanthe Sword
Some fight battles with artillery, others with community. "Of course, there is still work to
marches and protest signs. For poet Alix be done in terms of general and specific equal
protection under the law;' says Olson, "but I
Olson,it's all about language.
Born to a family of politically active think a balance of struggle and celebration is
required to keep the momentum going:' ■
writers and teachers, Olson was influenced
candidacy, and while that's just one way to
describe Planas, she says she's OK with it.
"I am a lesbian and I'm out and perfectly
6.ne with it;' she says."The truth of the matter
is that being a lesbian ... it's only part of who I
am. I am proud of who I am-mom, activist,
lesbian, caretaker, employee, friend, advisor,
sponsor, etc.-they all make up who I am:'
March 2010
I 17
ADVICELipstick & Dipstick
How to Jump-Start Your Lezzie Life
DearLipstickandDipstick:A li~le overa year
ago,I hadmyfirstrelationship
witha girl.I was
19 and awayfrom my Mormonfamilyfor the
first time. It wasn't somethingI planned,but
I justtotallyfell for this girl.Wedatedfor four
monthsand thenshe dumpedme. Sometime
has passedand now I just want to havefun
and explorewho I am. I just turned21 and
I
havenoideawhereto goor whatto doto meet
girls.I'm not sure how exactlyI got into my
first relationship,
it just kindof happenedand
,
I don'tthinkthat'sgoingto happenagain.Also
,
I guessI'm a "femme"and everyonealways
thinksI'm straight,andthenwhenI tell peop
le,
theythinkI mustbe bi. It's beena toughroad
,
but I'm proudthat I'm figuringout who I am
andwhoI wantto be. I just wantto findother
lesbiansto date,but I haveno ideawhereto
start!- Wishingin Washington
Lipstick:Like you, I remember being frantic
to jump-start my gay life back in the day.
And, like you, I am constantly faced with
people assuming I'm straight. (It happened
at two different readings during our Lipstick
& Dipstick book tour!) Beyond people's
foolish assumptions, the bigger issue here is
that you don't know how to get your lesbian
party started. If only there was a lesbian
handbook, a guide that taught you things
like don't move in on the second date, keep
your fingernails trimmed and don't try female
ejaculation on your first night together.
Maybe we'll write one. For now, immerse
yourself in all things homolicious-join
a
lesbian choir, a softball team, a lezzie readin
g
group. Whatever your interests are, surely
in the nearest big city there is a group of
dykes getting together in its honor. Once
you begin making friends, it will seem as if
a
dam has broken and you'll soon know more
lesbians than you can shake a vibrating stick
at. After all, everyone's connected.
Dipstick:And everyone's slept with everyone!
It's so refreshing to hear you say you simpl
y
want to start dating and aren't focused on
settling down. So many ~ewbies attach
themselves to the first available female and
1s
Icurve
settle into monotonous monogamy. Boring.
You've got the right idea ... have fun! Throw
yourself into the big lesbian beach party
and don't stop until you've hooked up with
at least three girls, pissed off two ex-lovers
and danced the Macarena in the nude.
Where to start? Where you live. Does the
cute girl at the coffee shop have a "woman"
symbol tattoo? Ask for her phone number.
Is that a rainbow flag sticker on your neigh
bor's car? Go knock on her door. Hit up
a
lesbian nightclub. Have friends introduce
you around. Ask your gay hairdresser for
a
hookup. Go on a lesbian cruise. This is
a
delicious time in your life. Enjoy it!
DearLipstickandDipstick:I starteddatingmy
bestfriendSarahaboutsix monthsago.I am
18 and she is 22 and we both live at home.Our
parentsare reallygoodfriends.Whenshecame
out to my mom, she asked us not to tell her
parentsor anyone.Sheis a missionaryand her
parentsareveryreligious.Beinga lesbianwould
not fly with them at all. My momsupportedher,
but not whenshefoundout about"us." Mymom
told herparents,whotriedto hinderourcommuni-
cation.Theydid not succeed.We continued
to
date,butthenallofa sudden
Sarahquittalkingto
me.I knowshedidn'tlosethosefeelings.
Doyou
thinkherparentsfoundoutwe'restilltalking?
Whatdo I do to get her back?- MissingMy
Missionary
Lipstick:Judas! Your mom is a traitor, but
not unlike most parents, who are cool until
the thing they're cool about involves you! The
sad fact here is that you both live under your
parents' roofs and therefore have to conform
to their rules (even if they are all acting like
A-holes). My advice is to figure out how to
get in touch with Sarah, even if it means doing
something sneaky.Throw rocks at her window,
slip a note under her windshield, wait in the
bushes outside her work (warning: That last
suggestion could get you arrested). Her parents
are super-controlling, so I'd forgo email. Try
Facebook or MySpace. You need to find out
if her parents have completely poisoned the
water. Odds are they haven't and she's just
as desperate to reach out, but is stymied by
their damned-to-a-fiery-hell shock and awe
tactics. If you can confirm that she does still
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LIPSTICK DIPSTICK
by listening Threwoutall myRollingStonesT-shirtsand
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theywere"misogynistic"
to the IndigoGirlstooloudly albumsbecause
Oia'9*""'"'-~~
Join the Fastest Growing
Lesbian Dating Site!
Mary's TurnedtheT in mynameintoa "woman"
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that'swherethe hotgirlswere) symbol
(because
Movedin with mygirlfriendwhen Quittheswimteamto watchmygirlfriend's
we werestill in thecloset fieldhockeygames
Didn'tweara brain myfirst PrideParade Woremynew"Every
by a SuperSoaker DykeIs a Hero"T-shirt
(I wasassaulted
dinner
andhadona whitetanktop!) to Thanksgiving
Wentto GayBingoeverySunday Letmygirlfnendcut
untilI wontheGinsuknifeset myhairwithclippers
love you, you've got just one question to ask
yourself: Which suitcase will you take when
you run away?
Dipstick:Sorry, Lipstick, but these girls
just aren't ready. Sarah can't stand up to her
parents when she herself believes in fire and
brimstone. She's not ready for a grown-up
lesbian relationship. And, sadly, that could
mean she may never be. Sarah has to battle
Bible verses as well as her parents first, and
those are two wars that can rage on for years.
Focus on being a friend (she's going to need
it) and put your romantic energy elsewhere.
Trust me on this one.
Did you try the DFZ (double finger
Dipstick:
If
zinger)? so, I don't know what to tell you
besides this is one obstacle that can't be overcome-unless she's drunk all the time and
you learn another miracle lesbian technique
that's going to satisfy her. Like I always say,
you can't have two catchers on a so&ball team.
Someone has to pitch. Or in your case, pick
up the bat. Keep talking about how bad you
are at sex and you'll continue to have bad sex.
I don't think you can change what turns you
on or off, but you can choose a partner who
will satisfy you. Time to move on.
my big turn-off is trying to have sex with
~z someonewho doesn't seem interested.
w
::r:
. seem to be on
I need participationWe
~ oppositesidesof the worldin this respect.
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I won't even tell you how few times she's
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F.ind your true match!
Upload:
actuallytouchedme. Howcan we bridgeour
sexualgap?- Sub-Zero
seeing
I amcurrently
andDipstick:
DearLipstick
a womanwhohasonlyeverbeenwithmen,and Lipstick:Sub-Zero, how about the Angry
hasmostlybeenthat_girlwhojustletsthe guy Alligator? Still no dice? Like Donald
Trump and Rosie O'Donnell, some of us
s
do his thing.We'vehad conversationabout
howwe'vebothneverbeengoodat initiating are just not meant to be together. If the
sex,so our sex life is practicallynonexistent sex is really this bad, I predict you'll be on
unlessshe getsreallydrunkand tacklesme. to your next conquest by the time this issue
Thensheexpectsmeto "domything,"likeI'm hits newsstands. Yo~ can only stare at the
goingto havesomemiraclelesbiantechnique ceiling for so long. Sexual chemistry is the
that's goingto rock her world.Shejust lies key to a romantic relationship and it cannot
there and doesn'treally participate,which be forced-it's either there or it's painfully
frustratesbothof usandusuallyturnsintoher not. Don't hang up your harness or ignore
just doingher ownthingand me lyingon the what tickles your tootsie. Dump the dead
other side of the bed trying not to distract her. weight and find a lover who will give a girl
5 Her big turn.:on is being dominated, whereas what she deserves. ■
~
It's FREEto Join
Tune in to curvemag.com/lipstickanddipstickto watch The Lipstick
& Dipstick Show. Or, write to
tv@lipstickdipstick.com.
.
Photos
Music
Videos
lnstant Message
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Send Greetings
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~r-iendrst
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Register for
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www.shedate.com
ADVICEHealth
Why it Matters if You're
Black or White
What black women need to know about
breast cancer. By Alison Peters
"We die more;' Valerie Rochester states
bluntly. As the director of the Program for
the Breast Cancer Initiative at the Black
Women's Health Imperative, a nonprofit
education, advocacy, research and leadership
development group focusing on health issues
that disproportionately affect black women,
Rochester is in the middle of a year-long
grant study, the Breast Cancer Leadership
Initiative, and, because of the seriousness of
the issue, she does not mince words.
"The incidence rate is still low, but black
women have a higher mortality.rate, and we're
being diagnosed with breast cancer at younger
ages. It's normally diagnosed in women in
their 40s, 50s; were being diagnosed in our
20s, 30s. And it's more invasive-it spreads
quicker, it's harder to treat and it's in advanced
stages when diagnosed:'
Even more alarming are these statistics:
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer among black women
and the second leading cause of death overall.
And while black women are less likely to get
breast cancer, they have a 35 percent higher
death rate than white women, and are more
likely to die of breast cancer than women of
other races. How can this be?
20
Icurve
Rochester's study sought to
understand the reasons behind
the disparities in breast cancer
among black women, finding,
among other things, that factors
contributing to the high mortality
rates include poverty and lack
of access to health care, racial
discrimination (black women are
more likely to receive disparate
care and experience inadequate
communication about abnormal
mammograms),
genetics
and
obesity. However, some of the
responsibility lies with us as a
culture and community, which is
where the Leadership Initiative
is focusing its efforts.
"One of the things we've found is that
there's still a stigma attached to breast
cancer for black women. Identity and selfimage perception are tied up in our body
image. By having breast cancer, some
women feel that their bodies have failed,
they feel shame, embarrassment;' Rochester
explains. All of this can lead women to skip
The Facts
Black women diagnosed with breast
cancer are 35 percent more likely to
die than their white counterparts.
On average, there is a one-in-eight
chance that a woman will develop
breast cancer during her lifetime.
Breast cancer is the leading cause
of cancer-related death in
women ages 15 to 54.
health appointments for fear of hearing bad
news, and make them reluctant to share a
positive diagnosis with friends or even close
family.Women may also opt out of potentially
lifesaving procedures like mastectomies.
Rochester stresses that community and
family need to play a bigger role in black
women's healthy lives."The emotional factors
are so critical in ensuring better outcomes;'
she emphasizes. "Going with the women to
appointments, additional follow-ups ... not
having that support contr_ibutes to poorer
outcomes and higher mortality rates:'
And sometimes, reluctance to underg~
treatment is about more than a fear of what the
body might look like afterward. 'Theres an old
wives'tale;' Rochester says,"a belief that a body
has to be whole in order to be accepted into
heaven. It's something that's still very prevalent
in the black community. We need our bodies
to be whole when we cross over:'
But early detection can begin immediately.
"We recommend every woman become
familiar with their own body. We think it's
very important for women to feel comfortable
touching and examining their breasts-if you
don't feel comfortable you won't get mammography screens and let someone else do clinical
screens. And you're the only one who can convey to a provider what you feel and what might
be wrong with your own body:'
Rochester cautions that physicians may try
to talk black women out of going for further
screenings, not being aware that black women
have different screening time frames."Women
under 35 might be told that [a lump] is a calcification, not cancerous, because they're not
in the most at-risk age:' But don't let that deter
you from getting the screenings and care you
might need. The Leadership Initiative provides tips for approaching providers, getting
the care you need and seeking out advice from
support or survivor groups.
"We're looking at how women in communities can advocate for services like increased
access to mammographies for younger
6
women;' Rochester says, "We have a right to ~
a provider who listens to us, hears what we ffi
z
have to say and will work with us in order to 5
CI:
address our concerns. Don't let a provider tell ::E
you what you should or should not be doing ~...J
0
with your own body:' ■
~
Money ADVICE
It Really Is Rocket Science
Stephanie Stilson broke the glass ceiling at NASA. By Edie Stull
Stephanie Stilson was in the third grade
when she told her father she wanted to work
for NASA. "I had always been interested
in space;' she says. "I can remember having
a mobile of the planets strung across my
bedroom and I was always interested in
magazine articles about space:'
Stilson's third grade pronouncement came .
true in 1989 when she became a NASA intern
, while at North Carolina State University,
working at Kennedy Space Center for part of
the year and attending school the other. She
graduated with bachelor's degrees in both
electrical and computer engineering and
later earned a master's in engineet;ingmanagement and an MBA from the University of
Fl(?rida. In 1995, she became a full-time
NASA employee.
Today, Stilson is a NASA flow director at
Kennedy Space Center, a job tide that had
previously been held exclusively by men. "I
oversee all of the work effort that it takes to
get space shuttle Discovery ready to fly its
next mission;' Stilson explains.
Stilson grew up in Ft. Myers, Fla., where
a high school counselor recognized her
proficiency in science and math and suggested
she pursue engineering, although at the time,
there were few female engineers. "I never
thought about it until I got to college-in many
of my courses I would be the only female:'
Despite being named the first female flow
director in 2006, Stilson says she never gave
much thought to the fact that she was breaking
a glass ceiling as a woman. At first, she says
she struggled more with being out in a mostly
straight, conservative workforce. "When I
graduated from college and came here to
work full time, I was with a man who I eventually married, so many people knew me as
z
o
~
~
z
~
ffi
~
w
~
(.)
~
more out in the last couple of years because
I am getting more into activism:'
A meeting with a new boss was a seminal
moment for Stilson-she was asked to share
something about her family, but didn't.
"I just basically said that I lived on my
own and afterward I f~lt terrible, almost
sick to my stomach, because I felt like a
coward that I didn't talk about my girlfriend
and my home life. My director at the time
didn't know that I was gay and we since have
talked about it, and I explained to her how I
felt uncomfortable by the way she asked the
question. Although she didn't mean it that
way, it came across very heterosexual:'
Does Stilson worry that being out could
be career limiting? "I struggled with that at
one point in time;' she says. "I have friends
and co-workers that don't come out because
they are fearful of that. It's both male and
a married woman:'
Realizing she was gay brought new chal- female, but I see it more with the men.
lenges. "I was leaving my husband to be with That's one of the things I am trying to help
with ... to make them feel more confident.
a woman, and, of course, that was talked
about quite a bit across the workforce very People who know me know I am gay and
my senior management knows that I'm gay,
quickly. But I don't let myself get wrapped
up in that. It has actually been a very easy so I'm hoping that I can alleviate some of
their fears and concerns:' ■
experience for me, and I really have become
FORWOMANKIND
GIANTLEAPS
BySarahC.Jimenez
1999:
EileenCollinsis thefirstwoman
a spaceshuttle
to command
1994:
ChiakiMukaiis thefirst
womanin space
Japanese
1993:
EllenOchoaisthefirst
womanin space
Hispanic
1992:
Dr.MaeJemisonis thefirstAfrican
womanto walkin space
American
is the
Savitskaya
to walkin space
first
andKalnyriullivanis thefirst
to walkin space
American
is
Tereshkova
Valentina
thefirstwomanin space
March 2010 j 21
DYKE
DRAMA
The Good Old Da s
Remembering militant dykes, chain smoking and dating before F~cebook. By Michele
Fisher
Sometimes it seems like centuries have
passed since I got this gig with curve,
and other times-like when I'm at the local
lezzie bar watching two baby dykes with
their hands all over each other-it
seems
like it was just yesterday that I walked
past A Different Light Bookstore in San
Francisco's Castro district and spied a sign
in the front window seeking contributors
for a new lesbian magazine.
I am happy to report that two decades
later, the bookstore and I are both still in
the Castro, curve is still the best lesbian
magazine ever and being a dyke is just as
interesting as it was in the '80s.
I hope I don't come off like a stale old fart,
but I am, admittedly, a little overwhelmed
with nostalgia as I sit down to write this
column and pause to consider a few things
about our community that I am going to
miss when they are gone for good.
Like lying. Technology is making lying
obsolete. GPS (girlfriend positioning system)
is pushing prevarication to the wayside.
When I was a baby dyke, if I wanted
to ditch a girl for a night, all I had to say
was that I didn't have a quarter (no, not a
dime, I'm not that old) for the pay phone or
couldn't find one. Kids these days can't lie
for squat because the GPS on their phones
will give them away. Some clever girls have
told me that they have multiple phones, but
that sounds too expensive and confusing. If
I was a hustler today I just wouldn't have a
cell phone. That way, nobody could trace my
call history, peek at my texts or follow me
around remotely.
But perhaps the young'uns today are more
truthful than we were. Except for those rascals
with the multiple cell phones, of course.
Since lyingjust isn't an option anymore, we
are more likely to tell the women we are
seeing exactly where they stand. I for one do
not want to be on the receiving end of that
kind of honesty, so I am glad to be off the
market in this age of absolute truth.
I hate to keep picking on progress, but
here I go again. Thanks to tweeting, blogging
221curve
and posting, the average teenager produces
the equivalent of a novel every month. I
have been writing this column for 20 years,
but that is all the written evidence I've left
behind. If I'd had the opportunity to blog
and post as a youngster, I think I would have
died of embarrassment at some point in my
30s. I can't. stand to look at old pictures of
myself. How did I get my hair that high? Is
that a poncho I'm wearing? Well, words ·can
be the same way.
I hate it when a woman uses my own
words against me; my defense is usually to
clai.m that I've been misquoted. But if the
girl is reading from a column I wrote, there
ain't nothing I can do about it except claim
that I was high when I wrote it or that I have
'grown'' since then.
I also miss nicotine. Boo and hiss all you
want, I loved smoking. I haven't touched a
cigarette in more than eight years and I know
that it's all over for me and the Marlboro man,
but it's a relationship I often miss. Tobacco
used to be a big a part of the gay community.
If you were gay, you smoked, and if you were
a nonsmoker, you kept that unpleasant little
a:
~LJ.J
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tn
LJ.J
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a:
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detail to yourself. Cigarettes were the biggest killer of queers until AIDS came along.
Then we all realized that we were paying
the tobacco companies for the privilege of
kicking our own buckets and decided to go
on a health kick. Yeah, yeah, I know all that.
But I still miss smoking.
And while we're at it, where have all
the militant lesbians gone? Sister Womyn
Warrior, where ~re you today, with your
anger at the male-dominated world and
your crew cut with the rattail in back?
There was a correlation between the length
of your tail and the amount of anger you
expressed. I used to see you all over town,
wearing your camouflage shorts and your
purple tank top, railing against injustice
in the bulk foods section of the health food
store. (And what happened to health food
stores? I miss them, too.) Did we all just give
up anger? I'm still mad, but I am not about to
wear anything that makes my butt look even
bigger than it is.
I miss the concept of finding the perfect
woman ... amongst the limited choices at
hand. These days, we really do expect to find
the perfect woman, because we can log on to
the web and meet every lezzie on the planet. partners. Of course, my least favorite part of
In my day, you settled for what you could get. being gay was trying to get away from those
Compatibility wasn't even a consideration. It same women, but it kept me busy. Enjoy your
didn't matter if you were clean and sober and perfectly matched bliss, ladies, but you really
don't know what you're missing.
she was the town drunk. If you two hooked
And lastly, I miss lesbian television. No,
be.
to
meant
was
it
club,
the
at
night
up one
Kate & Allie, I mean The L Word and
not
.
her,
with
slept
you
somebody,
met
you
When
And whilewe're at it, where haveall the militant
lesbiansgone?SisterWomynWarrior,whereare
you today,with yourangerat the male-dominated
worldand yourcrew cut withthe rattailin the back?
moved in with her, stopped sleeping with her,
went to couples counseling with her (or had
an affair-or both), broke up with her and
then made friends with her-in that order.
Today, we do a complete background check
on a woman before we're even willing to
commit to having a nonfat soy latte with her.
Where is the adventure in that? My favorite
part of being gay was making all kinds of
inappropriate choices when it came to sexual
Queer as Folk,which are already tiny specks
in our rearview mirrors. I want more! I hope
by the time you read this we have a new show
to watch, and I hope it is not set in a prison.
(I'm sorry, but I don't dig sex scenes on bunk
beds and girls making goo-goo eyes over
slop on institutional trays). Perhaps the new
show could be a clever sitcom about the inner
workings of a (lesbian) magazine alajust Shoot
Me.Just Lick Me sounds like a good title. ■
POLITICS
A Question of Relevance
Do we really need to celebrate Women's History Month
anymore? By Victoria A. Brownworth
leading numerous important battles in the
Hundred Years'War and also with driving the
English out of Rheims-the
traditional site
, of the crowning of the kings of France-in
order to make the city safe for the coronation
of :£SingCharles VIL
St. Joan was captured in a battle, turned
over to an ecclesiastical court and burned at
the stake as a heretic. (Incidentally, the ecclesiastical record shows that she also refused
to wear women's clothes.) After St. Joan's
death,. the legend surrounding her grew
so dramatically that although the Church
killed her and Charles did nothing to stop it,
both the king and the Church were forced
to reinvent her as a saint, a martyr and a
national hero. She was that powerful.
In St. Joan I see a model for living with
integrity and purpose. Today, women are
still forced to take a stand to challenge
the authority of men. Last November, for
instance, when health care reform was being
debated hotly and heavily, the Women's
Caucus in the House of Representatives
was shouted down by male Republican
Congressmen who refused to allow the
female representatives to speak about how
the bill would benefit women.
The debacle on the House floor is just
one example of how women are still being
silenced-in democracies as well as dictatorships and theocracies. In the United States,
women are presented as a fringe or special
interest group, when in reality we are the
majority.
When the Stupak Amendment-named
for its primary
supporter,
Michigan
Representative Bart Stupak-was
added
to the House health care reform bill in the
We don't hear much about Women's History
founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery
Month anymore. For example, in Philadelphia,
Society and \_Vas
one of the women who linked
where I live, the local TV stations run daily the first wave of feminism with abolitionism.
spots celebrating famous African Americans
Two women I discovered in grade school
throughout February for Black History
are also good examples of the feminists we
Month. Less well-known celebrations, like should be celebrating in March-Elizabeth
Puerto Rican Month or Polish American
Blackwell and St. Joan of Arc.
Month, also get media notice; Philadelphia
Blackwell was the first female doctor in
has large Puerto Rican and Polish American
the United States. The travails she endured
communities. So, why not give over some to become a physician and to help
airtime to Women's History Month?
other women become doctors
If we find that we cannot get
Women represent 51 percent of the were monumental. Her desire to
American population and they contributed. practice medicine was sparked through a door, then we should
dramatically to Philadelphia's history, when it when a dying friend explained
was the first capital of the United States. I've that if she had a female doctor, create our own space, where the
discussed the work of one of these women, she would have suffered less.
doors are always open to us.
Abigail Adams (wife of the second president
Indeed, Blackwell never wavered
of the United States, John Adams) in this in her determination to stand up to the social final
hour of debate, women were silenced
column before, but there are plenty of other
conventions restricting women in her day.
once again. This contentious amendment
pioneering women who deserve attention
The ranks of women deserving recognition circumvents Roe v. Wade and places severe
this month.
stretch much further back, though. Those restrictions on the abortions that could be
Lucretia Mott is one. In the early 1800s, who are not Catholic may know of Joan of offered
through a public health care option, as
she was a leader of the abolitionist movement, Arc only tangentially, but she is one of the five well
as through private insurance purchased
of which Philadelphia was a vital center. Mott
patron saints of France. She is credited with using government subsidies.
24
Icurve
Even progressive men argued that the
abortion battle wasn't worth fighting as part
of health care reform. But if the lives of more
than half the population aren't worth fighting
for, what is?
In our web-based society, social issues have
a short shelf life. Our interest wanes easily.
We claim "compassion fatigue:' We tire of
people who demand equality. Isn't feminism
"over"? Haven't we moved on? Why, in the
21st century, do we need to celebrate Women's
History Month?
Because we can't become a postfeminist
society if women are still earning threequarters of what men make, rape is still
one of the most prevalent violent crimes
and discrimination on the job and in many
aspects of daily life are all socially and
culturally accepted.
Girls need strong, positive role models.
From toddlerhood, they are bombarded by
media images of women that are as fake as
they are misogynistic. By the time girls are
old enough to play with dolls, Barbie has
become their role model. It doesn't matter
that Barbie can now be a doctor, a teacher
or a veterinarian. Her main purpose in life
is still to wear trendy clothes and look pretty.
She has a pink car and a Malibu dream house.
w
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0
I
::>
~
w
_J
w
z
She's not real.
The glass ceiling isn't often glass, but something far less permeable, something we cannot
even see through, let alone break. As unequal
members of society, the struggles we face are
immense. Thus, we must gird ourselves for
battle, as St. Joan did. If we find that, like Dr.
Blackwell, we cannot get through a door, then
we should create our own space, where the
doors are always open to us.
Every day, locally, nationally and internationally, women are creating change that is
altering their communities, their countries
and the world. If we do not record and recount
those achievements, they will be lost. Lesbian
, activist Del Martin said, "Nothing was ever
accomplished by hiding in a dark corner:' We
have to shine a light on ourselves and our
accomplishments. Really, we should celebrate
our achievements every month of the year, but
March has been set aside specifically to do so.
Make it happen. Demand accountability from
your communities and local media. Demand
our
that the stories of our foremothers-and
r5 own voices-are heard.
South African Struggle
Living in Gugulethu, South Africa is not
easy. Crime and poverty plague the
area. For Ndumie Funda, however, it is
particularly difficult. Funda is a black
lesbian living in one of the larger townships of the Western Cape province.
South Africa is experiencing
increasing levels of violence against
black lesbian and bisexual women.
Over the last three years there have
been five high-profile incidents of
murder and rape, and yet, there has
been no condemnation of these hate
crimes by political leaders at any level
of government.
"I am prepared to die for my rights,
up until the last drop of my blood,"
Funda vows, and there is a very real
possibility that she will. In March
2008 she established Luleki Sizwe, an
organization that provides support
and resources specifically for black
lesbians and bisexual women within
the townships.
Luleki Sizwe is a Xhosa name that
pays tribute to two ~lack queer women
who lost their lives in the townships:
Luleki was a leading lesbian activist
who was raped by her own cousin.
Sizwe was Funda's fiancee, who was
also an activist involved in mobilizing
the lesbian community. She was gang
raped by five men at gunpoint because
of her sexuality. Both Luleki and Sizwe
contracted HIV as a result of being
raped and both later died from AIDSrelated illnesses.
While many LGBT organizations
provide services and outreach, most
of them are based in urban centers,
rather than in the communities where
most of the violence is taking place.
Luleki Sizwe is the only organization
specifically dedicated to supporting
queer black township women.
When Funda decided to address the
problems faced by queer women within
her community, she knew it would be
difficult. She left her job in marketing
and the monthly salary that accompanied it. The organization has no official
source of funding and cannot pay any
of the seven volunteers who serve as its
staff. It is run out of Funda's own home,
a small bungalow that she rents.
Funda confronts atrocities on a daily
basis. South Africa suffers from an
epidemic of rape and queer women
are often targeted, yet she perseveres.
"Because it's my passion and it's my
dream, I know one day we'll make it,"
she says.
In 1996, South Africa became the
first country to include the rights of
gays and lesbians in its constitution.
Transgender rights were added later
and the country has also legalized
same-sex marriage. This legal
standing, along with the country's
stunning natural beauty, Mediterranean
climate and plentiful beaches, draws
queer tourists to South Africa each year.
But, though Gugulethu is only 12
miles from Cape Town, the country's
second most populous city, it feels
like it is on another planet. Because
lesbians in the townships live outside
the major tourist centers, the unjust
realities of their existence often remain
hidden and progressive legislation
cannot in itself change culturally
condoned injustices.
Yet, Funda remains motivated.
"Changing the negative perception
that people have got towards the
LGBTwomen, that's the ... thing that
I would love to achieve, and I'm so
fighting to change," she says.
[MeghanDavidsonLadly)
■
March 2010
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26
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11111111
hen·rumors began surfacing that Stargate Universe, the latest entry into the
hugely popular Stargate franchise, would include a lesbian character, sci-fi dykes
- ...
everywhere cheered in geeky anticipation. When it was officially announced that
not only was the Sapphic scuttlebutt true, but that the role would be filled by
•• •• veteran actor and all-around knockout Ming-Na, they sprinted to their DVRs faster
than you can say "warp-speed." In her on-screen tenure, Ming-Na has racked up plenty of
feminist cred as Dr. Jing-Mei Chen on ER and as the voice of the gender-defiant warrior in
Disney's Mu/an. She is also an entertainment icon for the (woefully underrepresented) Asian
community with her prominent role in The Joy Luck Club and as the first contract actor on
a daytime series in As the World Turns (1988). But it is her latest role, on Syfy's Stargate
Universe, as the openly lesbian IOA officer Camile Wray, that has solidified this stunning
trailblazer's place as a bona fide lesbian fave.
Unlike her character, the often stoic Camile, Ming- Na (whose
full name is Ming-Na Wen, but who dropped the Wen for
professional purposes) is full of energy. She has an easy and
animated laugh and a personality that fills the room, which
is impressive, considering that she's almost 2,000 miles away,
phoning from the Stargateset in Vancouver, Canada.
Her induction onto Stargate Universe,season one of which
is now on DVD, has been a celestial coup for lesbian fans of
the space adventure series. Not only does she play the first gay
character in the 15-year history of the Stargatefranchise, but
she continues to be a pioneer in the entertainment industry, as
the first Asian American actor to play a lesbian character on
network or basic cable TV.
The latest chapter in the Stargate saga finds Ming-Na's
character among a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians
who become marooned on an ancient spaceship in deep space
when an attack on their off-planet stronghold forces them
through a stargate. To complicate matters, the ship, Destiny,
has been set to autopilot and, having drifted through space for
millennia, is now in serious disrepair. Unable to return home,
the accidental crew is left with no alternative but to find a way
to survive in the distant recesses of space.
In addition to struggling to survive with limited resources,
the crew has to cope with the reality that they most likely will
never see Earth-and all that they have left behind-again.
In Camile's case, that includes her part_ner of 12 years. It's this
emphasis on exploring the characters' internal struggle that
sets the series apart from the typical space shoot-em-up fare
and makes it a compelling watch for lesbian fans.
"When I first signed on to be Camile Wray, it was expressed
to me that she would be a pivotal character amongst the military
and the civilians, and that she was a strong character but very
Makeup and
hair by Steve
Sollitto with
Magnet. Styling
by Sne Patel
with Exclusive
Artists
March 2010
I 27
complex;' says Ming- Na. "Being a sci-fi fan, I was excited that
the creators, Brad Wright and Bob Cooper, wanted to take it
in this other direction, where it was more serious and more
character-driven. That's the whole wonderful thing about
sci-fi... the storytelling:'
What wasn't part of the original script Ming-Na signed
on for, though, was the fact that Camile is a lesbian. "I was
reading [the script] and Camile mentions Sharon;' she says,
with the first of many eruptions of laughter, recounting how
she discovered Camile's lesbian partner. "I went to Brad [and
asked],'Who's Sharon?'"
• The creators had decided that the newest season of their
sci-fi adventure would explore new territory, a decision
•prompted in part by the failing grade they received from
GLAAD in the 2009 Network Responsibility Index. Syfy's
executive vice-president, Mark Stern, said in a statement,
"We are disappointed, obviously .... The 'F' is hard because
we are trying, it is something that is in our vocabulary. But
we need to work harder:'
Stern promised additional LGBT characters on the network's Battlestar Galacticaspin-off Caprica,adding, "In both
the SGU and Caprica examples, the character's sexuality is
merely one facet of who they are. It is not about, 'Oh, look,
isn't that progressive, that this person is gay?' No, they are
simply gay. There is no commentary necessary. And that's
what we're striving for, to make it a naturalistic thing:'
Ming-Na was more than happy to take on the groundbreaking role."! was excited because I'd never played a lesbian
before;' she says. "It was a brand-new challenge, and I thought
it would really color certain things she does and her vulnerabilities that she has:'
But did the straight actor realize that her latest role would
make her a darling to legions of lesbian sci-fi geeks? "I find it
really funny that I'm being asked more [about] playing a gay
character ... but it's a nice change from being asked about [in
a chirpy voice], 'Oh, what's it like to be an Asian American
actress?' [Laughs] 'What are the hardships of being an Asian
American actress?''Do you feel Asian American actresses are
being represented in the media?' It's kind of nice to be asked
other questions:'
Ming-Na was born in China and her family moved to a
mostly white section of Pittsburg, Penn., when she was young.
She says she grew up knowing what it's like to be different.
"Those feelings and those life experiences, I can definitely
bring those elements to. the character without trying to manufacture it:'
As a mother of two, she works hard to teach her children
to have pride in who they are. "For me, growing up, coming to
America at a young age and not speaking the language, and
then my parents moving to a very white suburban neighborhood ... it had a major impact on my life. Feelings of, Gosh, I
wish I wasn't Chinese sometimes, and I wish I would just fit
in. I think for them, they don't have any of that. I just want
them to be proud that they're Chinese and that it's just something not to_be ashamed of:'
28
Icurve
Ming-Na grew up working in her family's restaurant, the
Chinatown Inn in Pittsburg, which her brother still runs. He
jokes on the restaurant's website that Ming-Na was a terrible
waitress.
"He's just jealous;' she says with a laugh. "I was a very good
waitress:'
Ming-Na's breakout role came in The Joy Luck Club, an
epic ensemble film about four Chinese American daughters
and their immigrant mothers. She played a strong character
who didn't recognize her own strength. "I love playing parts
like that, because that's sort of my own personal journey in so
many ways;' she says.''A lot of times I can doubt my abilities or I
have issues with how I look and, you know, issues of fitting in
·and belonging. I'm a sci-fi geek, I was the smart girl, I was the
only Asian in a very white community, just a lot of 'do I really
belong?' issues. I love playing parts where those elements are
explored in a character, because I can explore that as well:'
The Stargatescript didn't reveal much about Camile's home
life with her partner, played by Reiko Aylesworth, because the
first 20 episodes focus on the castaway crew's survival aboard
the ancient ship Destiny. The last-minute decision to make
Camile a lesbian left Ming-Na and Aylesworth to come up
with the backstory of their characters' relationship. They
started putting it together the day they met, on the ride to the
set the first morning they worked together.
"I think because Reiko is such a professional, and because I've
had so much television experience where a lot of times this sort
of situation happens. When suddenly you meet two people and
they're, like, your parents, that you've had a long history with,
and you have to make that happen;' laughs Ming-Na.
"Luckily, Reiko and I just immediately clicked. And we just
[had] that language about our relationship. We both have a
similar sense of humor and sensibilities, and I think what
bonded us together is, this is the first time either of us has
played a gay character:'
The two actors discussed how Camile and Sharon met, as
well as why Camile, as Ming-Na decided, was a late bloomer.
"Without giving away the story line, the audience will see
that with Camile that there's definitely issues with her
parents;' she says. ''And I just feel that her aspirations and
what she's trying to achieve, it just made sense to me that
[the realization she is gay] was just something that occurred
to her later in life:'
Ming-Na based her portrayal on a friend who came out
later as well. "When Camile met Sharon and fell in love with
her;' the actor explains, "that's what gave her the opportunity
to recognize that she was suppressing who she was. I really ~
wanted to get into the head of Camile ... as well as, when you ~0
do have this amazing self-discovery, how that impacts your ~
life as a person and then how you rdate to other people and ~...J
how you see people. So I got really wonderful advice from my UJ
[gay] friends, who made me realize that one of the biggest ~
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II
love scenes involving Camile were with men, not women."That
was a lot of stuff taken out of context;' explains Ming-Na.
The confusion came from a plot device in which the
stranded crew communicates with people back home
through the use of ancient mystical stones that allow their
consciousness to be temporarily transplanted into the body
of another. The hubbub was about rumors that Camile's
consciousness would be placed in a male body-leading to
key intimate scenes between the two lovers being shown as
heterosexual. However, all the fuss was unwarranted. In the
ninth episode, Camile returns home, in the body of a female
soldier, not a male one.
"What I did love, and found really astounding, was the
passion of the gay community;' Ming-Na says. "Not putting
down my own community of Asians and Asian Americans,
[but] I wish we had that much of a passion and love for
being represented properly. But that was really a wonderful
thing to see:'
Ming-Na says she recognizes the responsibilities that come
with the part. "I am really confident that it will be done right;'
she says, and credits John Lenic, one of the Stargatefranchise's
producers, and an openly gay man, with keeping the story line
in check.
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"I don't think the fans will have to worry, because that
background story of hers will be explored in a really beautiful way. I was very challenged and loved those scenes so
much. I really thoroughly enjoyed playing Camile when she
is reunited with her partner. So I think that those elements
will be touched upon.
"I hope the gay community loves Camile as much as I do;'
says Ming-Na."! really think that the writers and my producers
are extremely respectful and want to have ~ great gay character
as part of the show and have her being represented well. That's
my goal. I'm just really proud. What people hopefully will take
away with them is that this truly is a loving couple:' ■
1
TUS LESBIAN
LANDMARMS
When Ming-Na was cast as a lesbian IOA
officer in Syfy'sStargate Universe it was
a small step for the actor but a giant leap
for TV lesbiankind.The advent of her
character,Camile Wray, marks the first
time therehas been a regularlyappearing
Asian Americanlesbiancharacter on
a primetimeor basic cable programa breakthroughin lesbianvisibilityon
television.While Ming-Na is busy blazing
lezzie trails in a galaxy far, far away, we
take a look back to celebrate some of the
seminalsmall-screenSapphic firsts.
DAYmlEGOES
GAY:
All My
Children's Dr. Lynn Carson
(Donna Pescow) became
the first recurring lesbian
character on a daytime
program in 1983.
RAISlll6PIRSES:Primetime gets its first
lezzie, nurse Deborah (Debra Jane
Mitchell), in 1988, on the otherwise forgettable medical drama Heartbeat.
PUCKER
UP:L.A. Law was responsible for
two things: making lawyers sexy and the
first lesbian kiss on network television,
when C.J. (Amanda Donohoe) laid one on
a female co-worker, in 1991.
LESBIAN
DNERSRY:
Lesbian women of
color made their first appearance on
network TV on Courthouse. The show
only lasted one season, but we got two
African American lesbians, Rosetta Reide
(Jenifer Lewis) and Danni (Cree Summer),
in 1995.
HERECOME
THEBRIDES:
Along with a diehard fan base, the "Smelly Cat" song
and the Rachel haircut, Friends also
boasts the first gay gal nuptials. In 1996,
Carol (Ross' ex) and Susan were wed
in a beautiful, touching ceremony-and
hideous hats.
YEP,SHE'SGAY:In the infamous "Puppy"
episode of the hit series Ellen, the thencloseted character Ellen DeGeneres
came out-followed shortly by the actor
herself on the cover of Time. This bold
move in 1997 made the series the first
network show to center around a lesbian
character.
LMN' LAVIDALESBO:
In 2001, ER's Dr.
Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes) got herself
a saucy Latina lover, firefighter Sandy
Lopez (Lisa Vidal), TV's first recurring
Latina lesbian.
GOOD
COP,GAY
COP:HBO's The Wire boasts
the first Asian America recurring lesbian
character on TV. The striking Sonja Sohn,
who played the no-nonsense detective
Shakima "Kima" Greggs (beginning in
2002), is African American and Korean.
WICCA
SEXY:Buffy the Vampire Slayer's
beloved witch Willow finally got freaky
on-screen with her special lady, the
slayer Kennedy (lyari Limon) in the 2003
episode "Touched," which contains
network television's first-ever lesbian
love scene.
OH,MARINA:
The L Word was a landmark
show when it premiered in 2004. It was
the first TV series centered on lesbian
and bisexual women, but it also included
the first Native American actor to play a
recurring lesbian character on TV, Karina
Lombard as Marina Ferrer.
LATE-NIGHT
LESBO:
Actor and comic
Wanda Sykes became the first African
American lesbian to
host a late night-talk
show, when The
Wanda Sykes Show
premiered in 2009.
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All over Prague (clockwise
from top): A view of the Old
Town Square; the Prague
Astronomical Clock; a canal
off the Vltava River, St. Vrtus
Cathedral at night
32
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HundredBySpires
City of afor everyone
Alison Peters
in Prague.
Finding something
The train pulled into a dark station high above the sleepy city. Four travelers disembarkedthree Americans, one Aussie-all with separate quests to fulfill, ranging from seeing the
cathedral, sampling the local food, sightseeing lazily and shopping. No one would leave
disappointed.
The journey had already been like something out of a novel. As the train glided through
Germany by way of Belgium it made an unexpected stop. The carriages were nestled between
tall evergreens overlooking a quiet river when grim looking police boarded, clearly searching
for someone. A young man was led off the train, sh.outing angrily, prompting the travelers to
procure papers and passports to prove our passage.
We awoke the morning after our arrival to a fairy tale city with snow, white and crunchy,
blanketing the bridges and the Vltava River rushing steadily below. The stone guardians
on the Gothic Charles Bridge watched us as we left our snug hostel and crossed into Old
Town Square.
Before our arrival we'd done our research, and this is what lured us: a city merging old and
new, Christian and Jewish, Baroque and Gothic, Bohemian and European. Prague is one of
those queer places where returning tra~elers can still advise you to visit "before the tourists
completely take over;' while, conversely, the city boasts of its rank as the sixth most-visited in
Europe. It's also one of the few places in the world where same-sex partnerships are legal and
you can walk comfortably hand-in-hand with your girlfriend down cobblestone streets. An
important cultural center, Prague became the capital of the newly formed Czech Republic in
1993 when the former Czechoslovakia divided.
Old Town Square, an early feudal marketplace, is one of the most-photographed and wellknown sights in the city, hosting the gothic Tyn Cathedral as well as the fanciful Astronomical
Clock (also known as the Prague Orloj), a medieval multipurpose creation consisting of an
astronomical dial representing the positions of the Sun and Moon, the "Walk of the Apostles;'
a revolving musical box showcasing religious figures every hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a
calendar dial with medallions representing each sign in the zodiac. The square also offers
respite from the city's meandering streets, and it's an excellent venue for a quick snowball
fight, particularly when the snow is keeping other travelers at bay and the locals are holed up
inside their great red-roofed flats.
of bread and cheese, roast pork with
Food was to be had, and plenty of it-smorgasbords
dumplings, sauerkraut, potato pancakes and delectable sweets served in inviting beer gardens
and cafes. With the exchange rate in our favor, our hungry troupe was able to try all the delicacies. A stopover in an empty-looking cafe near the Franz Kafka Museum proved especially
fortuitous when a posse of Italian women gymnasts decided to join us for libations and a bit
of rowdy entertainment.
Next on our list was busy Wenceslas Square, named after the patron saint of Bohemia. The
square, technically a wide boulevard lined with shops and bordered on the south by the grand
National Museum, leads to the boundary between Prague's New and Old Towns. Here, our
group stumbled across a tea house and stopped in for a cuppa. Lounging on chairs around a
low table we perused the menu and rang the little bell provided. When the waiter appeared we
partook of a steaming pot of Yogi tea, sweetly
accompanied by honey, cream and a feeling
so mellow I thought I'd found nirvana.
One of the last places we explored was also
the most grand and worthwhile destination of
the whole trip: Prague Castle. Exploring the
biggest ancient castle (according to Guinness
World Records) was a splendid, surreal allday affair that started in the surrounding
Hradcany Square. The mesmerizing exterior
of the Schwarzenberg Palace, also situated
on the square, is a masterpiece of sgr~to
painting. Translating literally to "scratched;'
sgraffitois a technique produced by applying
layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colors
to create an effect that resembles an M.C.
Escher print.
Prague is one of those
queer places where
returning travelers can
still advise you to visit
"before the tourists
completely take over,"
while, conversely, the
city boasts of its rank
as the sixth most
visited in Europe.
March 2010 j 33
While we were taking in the dizzying effects of the treatment, a group of uniformed guards
marched out in strict two-step, hea.ding straight for the castle. Curious, we followed
at a
distance, passing the Golden Lane with its miniature houses and miniscule gardens,
originally housing either castle gunners or alchemists favored by the royals, depending on who
you
ask. What is known for certain is that noted writer Franz Kafka worked in No. 22 in the
early
1900s. Today, it's a sweet blue house commemorated by a small plaque.
A tour of the castle itself includes visits to the cathedral, the basilica, the monastery,
the
gardens and several museums. The changing of the guards-always good for some fun
and
a photo shoot-takes place every hour until late at night, with a big to-do including fanfares
and flag exchanges at noon. If you are into baubles, be sure to take in the Czech crown jewels.
And finally, the castle is also wonderfully positioned to take in a view of the city and
count
the many spires of its nickname.
We made our final stop at a spiritual resting home of one of the musical greats: the Lennon
Wall. This tourist spot was formerly an "ordinary historic wall" but is now covered with
John
Lennon-inspired graffiti, lyrics from Beatles songs and messages of love. After leaving
our
own messages and snapping a few more photos we said one last goodbye to the dreamy
city,
hopped back on the steely train and headed home. The only question left unresolved: When
would we make it back? ■
Mezipatra, the annual
Czech LGBT Film
Festival, is held in
Prague. What began
as a small, independent
fest ival now attracts
more than 8,000
cinephiles. Many of the
Czech films make ·
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~JBESTtAmong major brands CSC
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Brands LP. College Inn is a registered trademark of Del Monte Foods. Butterball
•·····- PLACESTOWORK
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yeast extract. © 2009
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Copenhagen & Malmii: Seeind Scandinavia
it's not just the tall,
Northern Europe has a lure all its own-and
busWblondes. By Stephanie Schroeder
After deplaning at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport,
I was hit with the delicious smell of exotic
wood. I'm a freak for fine woodwork and Kastrup's
flooring, made of Padauk parquet blocks,
Merbau and Jatoba, is well crafted and beautiful.
I'd already had a taste of the quality of
Scandinavian design on my flight over with Scandi
navian Airlines, which was surprisingly
comfortable, filled with drinks in stylish glassware and
above,average airline food-they even
served the meal with real silverware.
Copenhagen is the sophisticated urban capital
of Denmark. From the famed Tivoli
Gardens and Parliamentary building to the Danish
Stock Exchange and the royal living
quarters, the city is steeped in medieval history. It
also boasts a modern opera house over,
looking the water, a new,ish school of architecture,
two museums of modern art and an
endless list of cultural attractions.
Out and About
My room at Hotel Twenty,seven was another examp
le of Scandinavian good taste-very
spare white square space with minimalist Danish design
that was built for comfort and util,
ity. I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready
to bike to meet my Danish friend Kris
for our Saturday of ad,hoc outings. I recommend renting
a city bicycle, which you can find at
various stands throughout the city. You simply slip
in a 20 kroner coin (approximately $3),
unlock your bicycle and you're off. There isn't a lot
of car traffic in Copenhagen, especially on
weekends, and there are plenty of separate city bike
paths.
Copenhagen's streets are a jumble of pavement and
cobblestone. The residential and com,
mercial areas are mixed and rows of different colored
buildings line the city's narrow streets.
There are many small squares where restaurants set
up their outdoor seating and people still
smoke. I had three small sandwiches from the popula
r smorgasbord restaurant Bof & Ost.
Smorgasbord is a typical way of dining in Denmark-cho
osing
a few small items from a wide
array of good eats.
From there, Kris and I boarded a city bus to Christi
ania, a "free community" where
36
Icurve
inhabitants live according to their own rules,
making their living growing and selling
organic produce, baked goods, serving eco,
meals and selling souvenirs to tourists.
Christiania
is in danger of losing
itself-in fact the community has already
been co,opted by an influx of curious
tourists (myself included, admittedly). The
local government is now in the process of
"normalizing" the area, meaning its radical
grassroots origin will be folded into the .
local mainstream landscape of expensive
real estate and a municipal land,grab. Kris
and I ate another meal worth mentioning
at the local greengrocer, which also has a ~
restaurant filled with organic vegan fare.
~
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Gay Copenhagen
While I was in Copenhagen, the 2009 World
Outgames were in play, but I had left by
the time Copenhagen Pride rolled around a
week later. The Outgames were years in the
planning and have garnered quite a bit of
publicity, especially about the accompanying
International Human Rights Conference.
As a response to the commercialized
Outgames, an underground "Queer Festival"
~
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_Traveling Tips
Always have some local currency
before you embark on your journey,
since you really never know what is
going to transpire upon your arrival. At
Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport and all
central city train stations, currency kiosks
are available for last minute money
exchange. Sweden accepts the Danish
Copenhagen's Freetown
for
bike
a
left);
(far
Christiania
kroner along with the Swedish kroner
hire; girls at Tivoli Gardens; the
(but not visa-versa). For maximum
waterfront in Malmo (top right),
Marsvinsholm Castle in Ystad
savings, purchase a Copenhagen Card
and a Malmo Card, good for free entry
sts, squatters, feminists, lesbians,
was organized. A gathering of radicals made up of anarchi
to many exhibitions, museums, free
ed some very cogent discussions
transpeople and other activists, the Queer Festival generat
public transportation and it gives you
about the exclusivity of various events.
di_scountsat restaurants and
at Copenhagen Center of deep
Lost and Found: Queerying the Archive, an exhibit
other sights, scenes and sounds of
by Jane Rowley and Louise
Contemporary Art, was an eye-opening experience. Curated
ndinavia.com is
d gender in its myriad, varied the area. Also, gosca
Wolthers, the pieces, arranged to form a narrative, explore
izing your
carefully applied mustaches and a great resource for custom
forms. A special performance by Heidi Lunabba, who
ture.
adven
n
of
anavia
Scand
women, who then sought reactions from the good citizens
beards to passersby-mainly
Other
the
called
tour
canal
special
a
on
went
also
I
event.
a highlight of
Copenhagen-was
t history in the city. The canals are a
Tour, with a pamphlet and narration based on feminis
fun and picturesque way to see Copenhagen.
Crossing the Border into Sweden
bags and headed to Sweden. The
After my weekend visit in Copenhagen, I packed my
Malmo, the third most populous
relatively new Oresund Bridge connects Copenhagen and
's Central Station where I jumped
city in Sweden. A 20-minute train ride landed me at Malmo
city, known as Skane, stopping
the
outside
side
country
into a car and drove directly into the
only for coffee at Svaneholm Castle.
base for one day and night. With
The small village of Ystad and its environs served as my
various points of interest along
at
stopped
I
pe,
landsca
a multitude of castles dotting the flat
herb farm. I lunched at Olof
r
kryddo
n
Osterle
and
the way: a fish smokery, the local beach
Viktors, a local bakery and popular lunch spot.
of the countryside, among the
Many bed and breakfasts can be found in the middle
refer to as "white gold:' I checked
wheat fields and rows of sugar beets-which the Swedes
at Karnelund, another bed and
into the Borregarden bed and breakfast and had dinner
male couples who were very friendly
breakfast, which has a restaurant. Both are run by gay
and accommodating.
many of which are championship
Skane boasts 75 golf courses within a three-mile radius,
crafts, antiques, herb and flower
and
g
clothin
de
handma
~ ranked. With its mix of arts, including
southeastern Swedish
n-the
Osterle
nts,
restaura
~ gardening and home baked goods and
is so flat that the
E countryside-is a fascinating study in mostly unexplored territory. The land
knew that there is pure white sandy
blue sky is three quarters of the panorama. And, who
view of the Baltic Sea?
perfect
a
with
Sweden
~ beach bordering the entire coast of
Once in Malmo, I lunched at Salt
~
s.
minute
45
y
leisurel
(/) The drive back to Malmo was a
~
8
& Brygga, an entirely organic restaurant on
the waterfront where expensive apartments
part of a living exhibiand condos-once
tion designed by several high profile Swedish
a~chitects-sit along the water.
I stayed in Old Town at Hotel Duxiana,
a luxury boutique hotel furnished with the
Duxiana brand of mattresses, linens, designer
lighting and furniture. Around the corner was
Bikram Yoga Malmo with classes scheduled
throughout the day for yogins like mysel£
Malmo is known as a fair trade city, with
sustainable development both realized and
in process. The town square is really two
combined areas, Stortorget and Lilla Torg.
Together they make up a bustling shopping
area and cultural center.
Among the collection of buildings, is the
Swedish Design Centre, complete with shops
that pay tribute to the unique arts and culture
of Sweden. It's a perfect reminder of all that
rve seen on my trip. ■
I
March 201 O 37
Pride Across the Pond
Manchester, England offers a welcome escape from the mainstream. By
Kathy Beige
I don't know whose idea it was to take a cocktail mixing class at 10:30 a.m.-1
don't normally lined with pubs, clubs and restaurants, many
drink before noon, and I rarely drink cocktails. But there I was, at Harvey Nichols,
an upscale with outdoor seating. There seemed to be
department store, sampling rum and vodka on the morning of the Manchest
er, England Gay about equal numbers of men and women.
Pride parade. After a few Dark & Stormies (rum, ginger beer, lime and a dash
of soda-yum!)
There are a few women's clubs worth menI found myself being ushered to the front of the parade, tipsy. Our group of visiting
Americans
tioning in the Village: Vanilla, a welcoming
had been invited to march with the Pride VIPs.
bar perfect for hanging out after work with
I was in a British industrial city, far from my home, and I was having one of
the best times a beer, and ~oyote's, which caters to a slightly
I've ever had at a gay pride event-and the alcohol was only a small part of
it. The people of younger, hipper crowd. Taurus, a mixed bar,
Manchester love their Gay Pride. In fact, Manchester Pride was voted "Best Event"
at the 2009 was the friendliest pub on the block, with a
Manchester Tourism Awards and "Best Pride Event" in the United Kingdom
by the national great diversity of patrons.
gay newspaper, Pink Paper.
During Pride week, the Village is packed
It seemed like the entire city came out to watch the festivities. The crowd ranged
from ladies with partiers from all over England. It
who looked like they'd walked straight out of a British comedy, to punk rock
teenagers, to is gated for the weekend and you need a
families with kids in tow. They all lined the parade route, cheering as we marched.
wristband to get in. A main stage is set up
After marching for a while, I stepped into the crowd to watch the rest of the
parade go by. I at one end with top-notch entertainment.
was amazed at how genuinely thrilled everyone was, truly enjoying the floats
of double-decker
In 2009, Bananarama, Little Boots and the
buses, buff guys riding spinning bikes and homo heroes on parade. Everyone
seemed to be Human League played.
having a good time.
On Sunday, part of the festival is closed
I knew two things about Manchester before I went. It's the home of the Manchest
er United
off for Women's Space, a trans-friendly
Football Club (that's soccer, not the NFL) and the British version of Queer as
Folk was filmed women-only concert and chill out zone,
there. Since I couldn't score football tickets, (Manchester United is the most
popular team in with no men allowed. As I walked through
the world), I rented the first season of Queer as Folk to get ready. I was excited
to visit Canal
the gates, I saw a man arguing with
Street and the gay village where much of the show's action takes place.
security about not being allowed
The gay village in Manchester is insular and dreamy. You could spend a
in. I couldn't imagine a U.S. Pride
week there and be happy not to venture outside its confines. The streets are
festival with s~ch a space.
As lovely as it is, I did spend some time
outside of the Village. The Castlefield
neighborhood highlights Manchester's
canals and is home to some of the city's
nicer restaurants. The Royal Exchange
theater is worth a visit,just to check out
the architecture of the former cotton
exchange building. Friday happy hours
feature free entertainment and cheap drinks.
I took a gay walking tour with Out in the
Past and learned about Manchester's history,
including its most famous gay resident, Alan
Turing, a mathematical genius and World
War II code-breaker who later killed himself
rather than be subjected to anti-gay therapy.
It's just a 45-minute train ride horn
Manchester to Liverpool, the birthplace of
the Beatles. I decided that I hadn't come :
all the way across the ocean, not to make
that pilgrimage, so I hopped on a train. ~
The Beatles' Story, a short cab ride from the
train station on Albert Dock has a few cool ~
~
mementos, but is kind of hokey. I enjoyed :.::
I
g
38
Icurve
visiting the Cavern Club where the Beatles played, much
more because it felt more authentic and I could imagine the
Fab Four rocking out in the tiny, dark venue, even though it
has been moved from its original location.
Back at the Pride festival, I was glad to have access to the
VIP area (available for purchase), a raised platform with
a place to escape the huge crowds and retreat during the
frequent rainstorms. You can pay the $30 it costs to attend one
of several women's dance parties, but I had more fun bouncing
between the free clubs and pubs on Canal Street.
Pride weekend closed with a candlelight AIDS vigil, a
moving memorial that sobered the crowd and reminding
them that Manchester Pride raises thousands of pounds each
year for AIDS and other charities. ■
Insider Tips
Jackie Crozier, the festival manager at Manchester Pride,
offers an insider's guide to lesbian life in Manchester.
Wheredoyoualwaystake
guestsfromoutoftown?
The Royal Exchange
Theatre in the city center,
along with a trip to
Manchester United
Football Club, of course!
Whataboutlesbians?
That's easy. Taurus Bar
at the top of Canal Street
for lunch and Vanilla Bar
round the corner for
drinks in the evening.
Whereis oneplaceoutside
oftheVillagethatyou're
sureto runintolesbians?
Chorlton. It's about four
cc
w
I-
miles southwest of the city
the
z center. It's probably
<t
6 most varied and interesting
w
(!)
suburb of Manchester
w
ID
and has a large lesbian
>I
~ and gay community.
(/)
w
I
(.)
_J
8
z
:::i
<(
~
a:
w
>
0
(.)
~
(.)
:)
::t
(.)
Wheredoyoutakeyourgirl
whenyouwantto gooutfor
a nicedate?
That's a tough one, as
Manchester has an abundance of things to do.
You are never stuck for
somewhere to eat. I think
first it would be a visit
to one of the theaters the Royal Exchange,
the Opera House or the
Palace Theatre- followed
by dinner somewhere like
Malmaison Brasserie.
Whatareyoulooking
forwardto forthe20th
of Manchester
anniversary
Pride?
The parade
is a big one.
It always
delivers.
It's so
great to see the streets
of Manchester filled with
thousands of spectatorsyoung and old, gay and
straight, friends and family.
We will be pulling out all
the stops to make sure
that Manchester Pride
2010 festival will be just
as exciting, unique and
goes out with a bang.
Califomia Dreams
Cougar Town
Palm Springs isn't just for girls gone wild.
By Diane Anderson-Minshall
I'm standing in the middle of a crowded nightclub while a hot blonde with
long
hair and even longer legs belts out "You Can Leave Your Hat On;' the song
Joe
Cocker made famous, in a voice nearly as throaty as his. The women in the
crowd
are jubilant, and after a while, drinking leads to dancing and everyone is bumping
and grinding and sweating (because after all, we're in the middle of the desert)
and
it's like any other Palm Springs, Calif. spectacle. Except the singer, Laurie
Dean,
isn't in her 20s (or even 30s) and tonight, the bar patrons aren't either. They're
in
town for the annual Bold Strokes Lesbian Book Festival, which unites dozens
of
authors from one of the largest lesbian publishers with local and visiting lit lovers
for
a weeklong series of events. (Full disclosure: BSB is this author's book publisher.
)
Before the dirty dancing, they spent several hours poolside-not
drinking and
comparing wet T-shirts, but rapturously listening to lesbian authors spin yarns
of
deceit and seduction in the sun.
By now we're used to tales of lesbians gone wild in the gay/oasis of
Palm
Springs-no doubt, we'll hear more later this month as Club Skirts' The Dinah
and
Girl Bar Dinah Shore Weekend embark on the city for the 20th anniversary
celebration of those now-dueling annual events. But there's another side to Palm Springs,
and it's older and wiser and has better insurance: the real lesbians of Palm Springs.
Since 1999, J. Michelle Secor, a former ad exec/stock investor, and Bernadett
e
Montenegro, a former nurse, have owned two of the city's three all-women getaways,
Queen of Hearts Resort and Desert Hearts Inn. Their hotels, says Secor,
attract
women in the 25 to 65 range, mostly through word of mouth, and often for
events
like anniversaries and commitment ceremonies.
"Women like to be comfortable vacationing with their partners;• says Secor.
"At our hotels they can be. The only other hotel like ours that I am aware
of is
Casitas Laquita:'
Casitas Laquita is a resort with 15 casitas (bungalows) with fireplaces and,
in at
least one case, a private Jacuzzi-all surrounding a sparkling pool and Palm Springsstyle grassy lounge area with mountain views. It's both cozy and resort-like
, and
though the spot has wi-fi and business services, it's clear the visitors aren't here
for
the amenities. They're here for the women.
Casitas Laquita, says co-owner Joanna Funaro, is a "safe, comfortable,
welcoming place for women to stay, surrounded by wonderful people just like
them:' Funaro, a former software sales manager, opened up the women's resort in 1998 with her
partner Denise Roberson, who used to run the food and beverage divisions of the Westin and
Marriott hotels.
Though their visitors range from their early 30s to mid-60s, Funaro admits that"the majority
of guests are in their 40s and 50s. We attract middle- to higher-income lesbians-women who
are professionals from all walks of life, from superior court judges to actresses and musicians:'
Indeed, though Casitas hoste~ ·weekly L Word parties during the show's tenure, it's not
20 Years of Lesbopalooza
Yes, the annual events now knowh
as Club Skirts The Dinah and Girl Bar
Dinah Shore Weekend are hitting a new
benchmark-a 20th anniversary,March
31-April 4-making Dinah Shore, a
nearlyweeklong, non-stop lesbian party
in Palm Springs, one of the longest
running festivals in the United States.
The rivalevents,which were actually
one event until organizerssplit them
up a few years ago, bring thousands
of women to dance, drink, party and
mark new trends in fashion, activism and
popular culture.The Dinah (thedinah.com)
attracted over 10,000 women last year,
the highest number in history despite the
recession.This year,The Dinah host hotel
for the event is the Hilton Hotel and Spa,
and this year promoter Mariah Hanson
has secured the Palm Springs Convention
Center for all entertainment,a huge boon
for a fest that helped propel artists like
Lady Gaga, Katy Perryand the Pussycat
Dollsto the top of pop charts. In addition
42 I curve
Palm SpringsScenes (clockwise
from left):The courtyardat Queen
of Hearts; Indian Canyons;author
Neil Stark at last year's festival;Girl
Bar Dinah Shore Weekend (bottom).
a surprise to find a Hollywood power player
there in real life.
Of the visitors and locals, Funaro says, 'J\.ll
the women mix and mingle, share stories and
become life long friends:'
While Dinah Shore and The Dinah
have their devoted fans, the Lesbian Book
Festival also has its devotees, including
Funaro, who gushes about both the fans
and authors. "Oh my God, what a great
group of people. The fans are the best,
to the performers,there will be celebrity warm and friendly. The authors, I cannot
fashionshow and the largestlesbianpool
say enpugh about them. Who would have
party in the nation.
ever known what a success this event would
GirlBar DinahShore(dinahshorebecome. My wish is coming true, as this cJi
weekend.com),known as much for their
event is growing bigger each year:'
~
performers-last year boasted Macy Gray,
Back at the club, the owner Victoria ~
the Cliks and Girlicious-as their wild pool Rendall (aka DJ
Mixie) is entertaining not ~
parties, is back at the Wyndham Hotel
just these middle aged lesbians who are §
(aftera $30 millionremodel)and both
~
flanking the hit lit-sters, but also a bevy of ~
Wyndham and Hotel Zoso are offeringVIP
gay and lesbian locals. When Rendall opened ~
luxury Dinah Shore passes.The Girl Bar
Cl.
Mixies Boy Bar in 2007, it was the first gay ;
events will be filmed for a 20th anniversabar in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. ~
ry documentary,GirlsJust Want to Have
She says that she "wanted people to know
Fun, and will feature Circus-a-Go-Goand
~
that it was, in fact, a gay bar. Calling it a 'boy ~
a comedy show benefitingHRC.
::,
bar' helped us send a more direct message:' 0
~
While Mixies recently closed, the spirit of the -;i_
<i:
pl~ce still continues in the other Palm Springs ~
attractions like Hunters, a club that hosts ~
Pink Girls Night Out on the last Saturday ~a:
of every month, and Azul, a gay restaurant ~
0
and lounge which is also located on the main ~
drag.
§
Like Casitas Laquita and Queen of Hearts, ~
Mixies attracted both lesbian tourists and ~
(.)
Hollywood celebs alike. Actor Candis Cayne :iE
a
i
(seen most recently on Nip/Tuck) has stopped in, as have Cynthia Manley, Pepper Mashay
les~
and numerous L Word stars. There was even a Mint reunion. (Mint used t? be a popular
1960s).
the
bian bar in Los Angeles in
But when the stars leave and the bars and hotels slow down-a rarity that does indeed
Secor, Roberson and all these
happen even in glitzy, gay~friendly Palm Springs-Rendall,
with LGBT business groups
network
to
together
come
Springs
power players oflesbian Palm
Center and the L Spot
Pride
Desert
,
Association
Business
Desert
like Desert Gay Tourism,
prings.com, a com~
lspotpalms
and
monthly
meets
that
group
(which is both a lesbian social
).
community
lesbian
the
reach
can
groups
and
munity directory where businesses
the group
And
Funaro.
says
'
businesses;
another's
one
support
"We do everything we can to
.
destination
lesbian
the
as
is working hard to solidify Palm Springs
"The town has always attracted the LGBT community, even back in the old days;' Funaro
adds."Hollywood's most closeted gays and lesbians came to the desert to play. The community
gay
has become very open. The city gets several thousands of dollars in occupancy tax from the
a
like
feels
community
The
flourish.
restaurants
and
and lesbian properties. The shop owners
including
members,
council
gay
openly
three
has
real part of Palm Springs. Our city council
the mayor. The city has lots of fairy dust flying around, making a fantasy land for the LGBT
tourists, as well as those who call Palm Springs their home:'
Secor agrees: "Palm Springs is an incredible place to enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding,
tennis, casinos, fine restaurants, outdoor concerts:'
are
For these women, Dinah Shore, the White Parties, the Book Festival and the celebrities
all just bonuses.
"There's no place like it in the world;' says Rendall."Of all the places I've visited, it is the most
the
comfortable I've felt as a gay person. The gay community here is active and cohesive. Also,
so
Springs
Palm
makes
what
about
forever
weather-the incredible weather! I could go on
■
incredible, both as a destination and as my home:'
Author VK Powell reading at Bold Strokes (top);
Palm Springs Celebs at The Dinah (from left to
right): Club Skirts' owner Mariah Hanson, Uh Huh
Her's Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey and Katy Peny
But once she started, Dustina Haase couldn't stop. She'd
continue to eat four to six slices of buttered bread, an entire
box of cookies, a steak-anything she could find without her
family noticing.
And then came the moment of disgust.
"That's when I would go into the bathroom, use either my
finger or a toothbrush and gag myself until I threw up everything," says Haase, 33, a domestic violence advocate and peer
counselor who was so severely affected by bulimia that she
suffered a heart attack when she was only 18. "I was always
saying wonderful self-talk like, 'You are such a fat cow, how
could you do this to yourself again' or 'You are so stupid, it is
no wonder no one loves you:"
Vickie Windman traveled a similar journey. She says she
spent her teens as a compulsive overeater, followed by years of
binging and purging and then, after gaining 60 pounds during
a pregnancy, became completely obsessed with losing weight
and dropped down to 95 pounds.
•
"Friends came over to me and asked if I had cancer;' says
Windman, 51, a special education teacher. "My skin sagged. I
had no energy. I could not sleep. I could not eat. I developed
ulcers in my mouth:'
These two women share more than just their battles with
eating disorders-both
are out lesbians. Years ago, studies
indicated that anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating
addictions were extremely rare in the lesbian population (in
fact, during my research, one prominent lesbian medical professional told me, "It is so very rare that the valuable space in
your magazine would be better used on an issue that is more
common'').
One study looking at lesbians, gay men and heterosexuals
and eating disorders, published in the Journal of Eating
Disorders in 1992, reported that while gender was a more
relevant factor than sexual orientation in certain instances,
heterosexual women and gay men did indeed report lower
ideal weights and tended to be more overly concerned with
their weights than were lesbians or heterosexual men. Those
findings were followed up in a 1999 study published in Sex
Roles: A Journal of Research, which investigated the role of both
sexual orientation and gender-related personality traits in
eating disorders. Self-reporting assessments were administered
to 266 individuals, and the researchers concluded, "Consistent
with previous research, gay men scored significantly higher than
heterosexual men on body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint,
whereas lesbians scored significantly lower in comparison to
the heterosexual women on body dissatisfaction, drive for
thinness, dietary restraint, and bulimia:'
More recent studies, however, prove otherwise.
In another study, published in the International Journal of
Eating Disorders in 2007, researchers interviewed over 500
individuals for diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating
disorders using the World Health Organization's Composite
International Diagnostic Interview. The findings showed that
44
Icurve
gay and bisexual men had considerably higher incidences of
eating disorders when compared to heterosexual men,
but there was no difference in the rate of eating disorders
among lesbian and bisexual women when compared to
heterosexual women.
It's estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating
disorder-90 percent of them women. It's also estimated that
at the very minimum, roughly one to two percent of the
female population identify as lesbian. So, given the numbers,
at the very least, approximately 70,000 to 140,000 lesbians
are battling some form of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
In fact, the latest evidence shows that not only do lesbians
suffer from eating disorders as often as straight women, but
we may suffer more.
Last September, researchers at Harvard University used
data from a study of 12 to 23-year-olds to evaluate the
impact of sexual orientation on rates of eating disorders. Of
the nearly 14,000 participants surveyed, they found a higher
prevalence of binge eating among both males and females
who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Lesbian
teens and young adults were actually twice as likely as their
heterosexual counterparts to experience binge eating at least
once a month in the past year.
Nancy Anderson Dolan, a 50-year-old counselor, knows the
pain of facing eating disorders at a young age. Evidence of her
eating disorder emerged when, at age 2, she was found sneaking
a pound of butter. This behavior continued throughout her life.
"I just hid my needs and went on stealing and hiding food
and manipulating any way I could to just get the calming and
soothing I needed from eating," recalls Dolan. ''As I got older I
tried all the possible eating contortions-starving myself in
university, trying bulimia during an 'I can't stand the weight'
phase, but really,was never able to overcome the raging need for
excess food to make me feel safe:'
It is, in part, that search for safety that has made eating
disorders a very real problem for the lesbian community. The
truth is, many people who belong to a marginalized group seek a
comfort zone-often that security is found in food. There are a
myriad of other reasons for the correlation as well. According to
Dr. Ellen Haller, a professor and the director of the Residency
Training Program at the UCSF Department of Psychiatry, the
causes of these kinds of eating disorders run the gamut from
feelings of perfectionism, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety
and loneliness, to a history of sexual or physical abuse. There are
likely also genetic factors.
There is also the colossal influence of living in a society that
demands women be thin. Even lesbian media often features
images of impossibly skinny women-The L Word, for example.
"There is ongoing societal pressure to be thin, while at the
same time, portion sizes have increased;' notes Haller."Messages
about food are complex and contradictory, and lesbians are not
immune to these issues:'
Cyndi Hartmann, a 37-year-old IT engineering support
specialist, has anorexia and says that like any other woman, she
battles weight-loss messages on an ongoing basis.
"Seems like every other commercial on TV is geared toward
women-yogurt or Special K commercials, getting into that
bikini, weight-loss programs and more. And then they'll show
a fast food commercial;' she says.'J\nd it's all people talk about
at work, as well. I can't go on a coffee break without hearing
about someone's diet, calories or food of some sort:'
Haase agrees, and she notes just how prevalent peer pressure is among lesbians.
"No matter how many women like me fight the stereotypes,
they are out there in our community;' she says. "Lesbians try
RESOURCES
AND to live up to the same standard. How could we not, when that
ORGANIZATIONS
is all you see in media and as role models? I mean, just look at
National the polls we do on who's the hottest lesbian. Do they ever even
Libraryof include Rosie O'Donnell?"
Medicine
The symptoms of these illnesses are specific to each eating
andNational
Institutesof disorder, and can be as varied as the causes, says Dr. Sari
Health Shepphird, a psychologist and the author of 100 Questions
nlm.nih.gov/ and Answers about Anorexia Nervosa. However, an intense
medlineplus/eatfear of gaining weight or becoming or remaining fat is always
ingdisorder.html
in the shadows. Binge eating is a potential symptom in all
NationalEating three types of disorder. In anorexia and bulimia there is an
Disorders attempt to compensate for calories consumed, either through
Association
self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse or excessive exercise,
nationaleatingwhereas
in binge-eating disorder, there is a lack of compensadisorders.org
800-931-2237 tory behaviors, Shepphird explains.
There are also a plethora of warning signs including
Eating
denial of hunger, being ritualistic about food (for example,
Disorders
Anonymous chewing each bite a certain number of times, incessantly
eatingdisorders- measuring food servings, counting the number of food items
anonymous.orgeaten), being vague or secretive about eating, frequently
skipping meals, experiencing feelings of guilt after eating,
National
exhibiting
great concern about weight gain, abusing diet
Association
of Anorexia pills or prescription medications and having a negative
Nervosaand body image, says Shepphird.
Associated
On the bright side, she says, there are also several good
Disorders
courses
of treatment for those suffering from eating disorders.
anad.org
847-831-3438 The first course of action depends on the severity of the sympanadhelp@
anad.org
toms. Someone with medical risk due to extreme weight loss
or electrolyte imbalance as the result of continued purging
may need to be temporarily hospitalized and then continue
in a residential treatment facility or day-treatment program.
Someone without medical risk will benefit from outpatient
treatment that includes a medical doctor, a mental health professional, a dietitian and the support of other outside sources
like partners, parents, teachers or clergy.
The key to treatment, however, is no different to any other
addiction, and that's to admit there's a problem in the first
place. While it may seem impossible that anyone could miss
the signs, more often than not, eating disorders can go on for
months or even years_before the sufferer or anyone in their life
acknowledges there is a crisis, and sometimes by then it's too
late. With no treatment, up to 20 percent of individuals with
serious eating disorders die, mostly from either cardiovascular
collapse or suicide-a fact that led to the immediate speculation
that an eating disorder played a part in the recent, shocking
death of actor Brittney Murphy from cardiac arrest.
Windman says she believes her ex-partner knew about her
illness, but that she addressed the problem in a hostile, confrontational manner. Everyone else in her life was scared, and
she was the most frightened of all.
"Like any addiction, it is very scary to tell someone, even
when you love them, that there is a problem;' says Windman.
"We don't want to hear it. Hitting bottom was the only way I
knew I had to do something and, even then, I had a hard time
buying into it:'
Today, Windman is in recovery, as are Haase, Dolan and
Hartmann. Each woman battles her eating disorder every
day. Food is one of the hardest addictions to control because
unlike tobacco or alcohol, food isn't a luxury-it's a necessity.
To those who are silently suffe~ing the same conflicts,
Windman says to remember that there are choices.
"We are the only people who can control our own destiny;'
she says. "Go find the one person you trust, sit them down
and ask them to help you. Life is hard, but there is also a
tremendous amount of joy. Find your joy. Let go of the shit
and let someone help you:• ■
EatingDisorder
Referraland
Information There are three main types of eating disorders:
Center anorexia, bulimia and binge-eatingdisorder.
edreferral.com Symptomsvary depending on the type of
858-481-1515 disorder and the person, but the Mayo Clinic
extra calories by vomiting
or excessive exercise. In
between these bingepurge episodes, you
may eat very little or skip
meals altogether.You
may be a normal weight
or even a bit overweight.
S,,,,,.,
pfo,,,,.,s
offers these general guidelines:
A OREXIA
NERVOSA
When you have anorexia
nervosayou're obsessed
with food and being thin,
sometimesto the point
of deadly self-starvation.
You may exercise excessively or simply not eat
enough calories.
46jcurve
BULi IANERVOSA
When you have bulimia,
you have episodes of
bingeing and purging.
Duringthese episodes,
you typically eat a large
amount of food in a short
amount of time and then
try to rid yourselfof the
BINGE-EATING
DISORDER
When you have binge-eating disorder,you regularly
eat excessiveamountsof
food (binge),sometimes
for hourson end. You
may eat when you're not
hungryand continueeating even long after you're
uncomfortablyfull. After
a binge,you may try to
diet or eat normalmeals,
triggeringa new roundof
bingeing.You may be a
normalweight, overweight
or obese.
. SOURCE: MAYOCLINIC.COM
The Dark Side of the Story
Myriam Gurba reveals what fuels her
creativity. By Sheela Lambert
M
yriam Gurba's first book, Dahlia Season, is
quirky, sensual, bilingual and disturbing. In chis
collection of four short stories and a novella, she
writes with startling originality about Chicana
rebels, madwomen and sexual outlaws. Mexican-American
goth girls explore their sexuality with girls, boys and knives; a
girl cross-dresses and goes cruising under the pier; gang girls
are in the grip of guns and each other; a boy uses his creativity
co squeeze out of one problem, falling into the sudden abyss
of another; and a girl's quirkiness transforms into a living
nightmare until she meets others like herself.
storiesthatdrawin thereadersofully?
Howdoyouconstruct
Place is really important to me. I fall in love with places and if
I love chem enough co cell their stories, I want ochets to be able
co experience chem coo. I chink of the things chat specifically
make a place, a place-and then write through chose sensory
details, letting them guide certain parts of the narrative.
to
Yourshortstory,"WhiteGirl"seemsalmostlikea prelude
Doyouseeit thatway?
DahliaSeason.
The characters from "White Girl" found their way into Dahlia
Seasonbecause they really had me by the balls and wouldn't lee
go. I chink now I've gotten racist goth girls out of my system.
Bue I haven't gotten the theme of racism out of my literary
system and I never will. Race is practically one of my muses.
asa
cross-dresses
girlprotagonist
a nameless
In "Cruising,"
forsexwithmen.Wheredidthatstory
boyandgoescruising
linecomefrom?
"Cruising'' germinated from a bit of gossip one of my best
friends told me. He cold me how one of his friends who went
cruising at the public beach here in Long Beach, [Cali£,]
wound up making out with some dude and, lo and behold,
dude had a vajayjay.The person with the labia ran and my
friend's friend told him chat he wished the person hadn't
bolted because for the first time, chis fag was actually turned
on by a woman's body.
in yourstoriesseemsto leantowardswomenbut
Thesexuality
veersalloverthemap.Howdoyouidentify?
I guess in terms of self-identification, I identify as queer but
I don't mind being called a lez or a dyke or a homo. If the
shoe fies, right? Also, I try not to be fascisc-y when it comes
to sexual labels. There's already so much anxiety surrounding
sexuality, why create more by making people paranoid about
calling you the wrong thing?
Is thereanyonespecialin yourliferightnow?
Heck, yeah! Me and my old man have been together for 10
years. I guess you could say my partner is genderqueer. She is
~ comfortable being called "he" or "she;' and sometimes I chink
f2
~ of myself as being with a man and ocher times with a woman.
~ For simplicity's sake, I tend to chink of myself as queer.
aspects.
all havedark,disturbing
Thestoriesin DahliaSeason
writing?
your
in
places
dark
such
to
go
to
want
you
Whatmakes
writing.
my
in
places
chose
co
go
co
intend
I don't necessarily
my
reflects
chat
chink
I
But
there.
up
I just sor~ of wind
me.
taken
has
life
my
places
dark
the
sought
life. I haven't
My biology and social factors have sort of led me there and
since my writing reflects my life, well, there I am, writing in
the dark, so to speak.
andeTourrette's
obsessive-compulsiv
Desiree's
Youintroduced
subtly.
so
Season
intoDahlia
symptoms
That is exactly how I experienced chose disorders and I wanted
the reader to feel chem, like a radio station playing softly in the
background, while an invisible hand is turning the volume up
until you can't chink, it's so loud. I chink chat many people's
experiences with chose disorders are similar; they are unaware
of chem until they begin to destroy their life, but they've
always been there, impish and meddling, like the gremlin
on the wing.
withthesedisorders?
yourbookwillhelppeople
Areyouhoping
one of the main
entertainment,
to
I chink chat in addition
alone. I chink
less
feel
us
make
to
is
purposes of literature
themselves.
of
reflections
find
to
chat's often why people read,
someone's
ease
help
might
I would hope chat my writing
comfort,
of
kind
some
chem
bring
sense of isolation and
cathartic
both
be
can
literature
relief, or realization because
and a balm. ■
March 2010
I47
Sarah Schulman Waxes Politic The lesbianwriterand academic
on what'swrongand how to fix it. By KristinA. Smith
Kessler Prize this year and we tried to get it announced in the
New YorkTimesArts and Brief section; they wouldn't announce
hen it comes to writing, Sarah Schulman is a
Jane of all trades-she is a prolific and awardwinning lesbian novelist, playwright, nonfiction
writer and professor. One of the first writers to
chronicle the AIDS epidemic in the '80s, Schulman continues
to blend activism and art, and explore the issues that impact
our community. In 2009, she was awarded a Kessler Prize for
her continued contribution to LGBT studies. Despite her
numerous accolades, by Schulman's own account, her career
is less successful than it should be-she's had no plays on
Broadway (though her book Peoplein Troublewas reportedly
plagiarized by RENT writers) and there has been a dearth
of substantial reviews of her work by the mainstream press.
Nonetheless, Schulman continues to produce groundbreaking
and thought-provoking work. Her most recent book, Ties That
Bind:FamilialHomophobiaand Its Consequences,
examines the
impact of homophobia in the home and argues that, like rape,
homophobia should be addressed as a cultural crisis.
W
You'rea rarityinthatyouseamlessly
combine
therolesof writer,
academic
andactivist.Howdoyoumanage
to balance
those
demanding,
andsometimes
contentious,
identities?
I have no idea. People ask me all those kinds of questions like,
do you ever sleep? How do you know if it's a play, not a book?
But I don't have answers for any of them because it's really just
sort of the way I am.
According
to yourwritingthe
, firststepin addressing
anissueis
to identifyit anddefineit.What'sthenextstep?
Well, the real problem is getting it allowed to be discussed.
Like, here you have this book that took me many years to
write-it took many years to get it published-and then the
censorship was really profound. Now it's published and all
the same kinds of censorship are rearing their ugly heads. So
there's no review in Publisher'sWeekly,which is crazy, because
almost every book gets reviewed there. I was awarded the
it. You can do all this work and people are so interested in this
book and I had so much reaction to it-very positive from
gay people-but the institutions won't let it be known that
this discussion's happening.
Whydoyouthinkthere'sa lackof dialogue
betweenourcommunityandtheseinstitutions?
They don't think it matters. It's complete indifference. It's
through the looking glass. I mean, my first book, I had like
28 rejections. People would say things like, "We can't publish
this because it would offend librarians:' I mean, this is 1984.
They didn't know the truth about librarians. (Laughs] I think
• I'm just the tip of the iceberg. Myself and others represent
a
much larger problem, which is that we haven't gotten anywhere.
Were not allowed to have authentic conversations about our
own condition as part of the American conversation.
Somepeoplewouldsaythatthestrideswe'vemadein gaymarriageanddomestic
partnerships
showrealgrowthbut
, youdon't
thinkgaymarriage
istheanswer.
Why?
Well, let's start with why it's not the answer. I think that the
AIDS crisis has had so many consequences on how we see
ourselves, how the world sees us, how we make decisions.
But ... theres no conversation about the consequences from
the AIDS crisis. It's like it never happened. When I look at
Jews, I think it's a similar parallel. People undergo profound
historical cataclysm when theres a mass death experience
and they get the message very clearly that they live in a world
where no one cares what happens to them. And then you have
a large traumatized population, and what they do is assimilate
into the dominant culture that allowed them to be destroyed.
So this is an historic pattern that we're in now. And I think, in
part, this moment is a consequence of AIDS trauma.
I also think that straight people make it very clear that the
only grounds that we're going to get anything is the grounds
in which we resemble them-and
weve internalized that.
So people go around saying, "I deserve rights, I've been with
my partner for 30 years:' Nobody deserves rights because
they've been with their partner for 30 years. People deserve
rights because they're human. So, we're saying, "Give us rights
because we re just like you:' But the parts of us that are not
like (them] are no longer even mentioned.
Whydoyoudisagree
withthemainstreaminof
ggayculture?
We no longer really have authentic gay culture. We don't
have figures who can discuss things and communities talking
things over in a way that's not controlled by dominant corporate
culture as we once did. So, were fed our own image of ourselves
through television, which we don't control.
I don't think that (gay marriage] could possibly last Partially
because monogamous nuclear families have not really worked
for straight people and they have every cultural incentive with
them. So, I can't imagine that it's going to work for us. I think
it'sjust like were in the gay 1950s and in a few years people will
realize it's ridiculous and we'll have another sexual revolution,
just like straight people did.
Youdiscusshomophobiaas a culturalidea.Howcan a person
applythatto herownlife?
Well, the first thing is that the person has to know that I
know that they are a real human being and their life matters.
And the second is that there is absolutely nothing wrong
with homosexuality and nothing right with heterosexuality.
They are equal, normal human variants. Anything that creates
homosexuality as inferior is pathological, is untrue and
has negative consequences on people and on society. If your
family is victimizing you or harassing you through shunning,
exclusion, diminishment, you need to know that it's not your
personal problem. It's not because of you, it's not because of
your family. It's because you live in a culture that allows that
to go on without any reaction.
Now, if people can take in those two things, then we come
to the "what do we dot I think that if many families knew
that other people think that their behavior is anti-social, then
they might mitigate that in some way. Right now, theres no
force in the culture telling them that homophobia is the
problem. Most forces in the culture are telling them that
homosexuality is the problem. But if we can make it clear to
them that homophobia is the problem, they have an option to
change their behavior. Most gay people's families don't even
know their friends. They don't know that they're loved people
who have a context and a social stature. If their friends told
their families how much they loved this person, how valued
this person is, how much pain the family is causing this person,
maybe the family would think differently. But the message has
to come from people they know, people they're related to, the
other straight members of the family, the people they work
with, the movies they see and their government.
Whatdoyoumostwantto sayto ourcommunity?
In order to know what's true about yoursel£ you have to look
at your own experience in your own life. Don't let gay leaders
or straight leaders or Obama or television or the L Word or
anybody tell you what's important to you. The most radicalizing thing is to get your own vision from how you really live.
That's the thing we've lost, but we can get that back. ■
researchby MandyVanDeven]
[Additional
Talesof the IndianDiaspora
LeavingIndia:MyFamily'sJourneyfromFiveVillagesto Five
longproject,MinalHajratwala's
A seven-year
tracesthe storyof herfamily'smigrationfromthe Indianstateof Gujaratto everycornerof the globe,
Continents
admitteda sense
includingthe PacificIslands,AfricaandMidwestsuburbia.Likemanyqueerwomen,Hajratwala
process
writing
the
through
says
she
However,
book.
the
on
work
of distancefromherfamilybeforeshebegan
thatthey
decisions
the
made
me
before
people
the
that
this changed."Somuchof whoI am is basedonthe fact
or saris,
jeans
blue
wear
to
chqose
lesbian,
out
an
bea writer,be
made.Thefact that I canlivein SanFrancisco,
before
people
because
possible
are
options
cookeithermy mother'sdaalor tofu chipotleburritos-all of those
and
intended
effects,
ripple
has
motion
each
memadehuge,dramaticchangesin their lives.Theymoved.And
upongenerations."
for generations
unintended,
toyour
Whathastheresponse
bookbeenfromtheIndianand
communities?
immigrant
Whenwe did [aninterviewonthe
radioshow]"TheForum",a
KQED
lot of the callerswerejust calling
to say,"Hey,I'm IndianandI'm gay
too,andthanksfor beingout on
the radio."Whichwassurprisingto
but [it] made
mein SanFrancisco,
merealize,actually,the number
of queervoicesof colorwe hear
form,is
publicly,in a mainstream
still fairlysmall.
thatthisbook
Youmentioned
mightbeyourfirst"official"
comingoutto yourfamily.How
didtheyrespond?
It's beengreat.Theremightbe
peoplein myfamilywhoare
havingtroublewith it, but if so,
I'm not hearingfrom them.What
I'm hearingis reallysupportive,
actually... [they're]sayingreally
sweetthings.It's reallyniceto just
betotallyout,actually.I'm really
enjoyingthat,andnot havingto go
throughthe processof comingout
to peopleonebyone.
aboutthe
Wereyouapprehensive
ofyourfamilyand
representation
howtheywouldreact?
about
I definitelywasapprehensive
it, andthe peoplewhoweremain
charactershada chanceto read
theirchaptersaheadof time... so
before
we hadthat conversation
the bookcameout.Forthe most
part,peoplehavebeenveryhappy
The
with their representations.
maincharactershavejust really
beengladto havetheir storiestold,
in context.
Yourfamilylefttheirhomeland
andyourparentstookonatypical
genderrolesfortheirsociety
Doyouthink
andgeneration.
thatmadeit anyeasierforyouto
comeoutasqueer?
No.I mean,that's a connection
that I havemade,but I don't think
that that's a continuumthat they
wouldsee.I think that queer
behaviorhasalwaysbeenthere in
our communities,andthatpeople
have,fromtimeto time,knownit,
but alsothat it's notsomethingthat
peoplehavespokenabout.So,it's
of reallyidentifying
the combination
as queerandthentalkingaboutit
that is newandpotentiallyshocking,
andalsopotentiallyliberating.I do
feel likethereis a powerin that...
powerof a
kindof theaccumulated
longperiodof silenceandbreaking
for me
throughthat.Thathappens
asa queerperson,but
individually
for thecomI thinkit alsohappens
munityasa wholesomehow-that
thesenseof possibilitycanexpand.
Plato]
[Catherine
Literary Lesbos
The Canadians Fresh queer voices from our neighbors to the north. By Nairne Holtz
•
LydiaKwabalancesvariousidentities:
She'sfromSingapore
but livesin
Vancouver,
she'sa writer aswell as a
• psychologist,
she'spublishedbothpoetry
• andfictionandshehasachievedaccolades
fromboththe queercommunityandthe
mainstream
Canadian
press.Herfirst
novel,ThisPlaceCalledAbsence,wasshortlistedfor a LambdaLiteraryAwardanda Books
in CanadaFirstNovelAward,whilehersecond
novel,TheWalkingBoy,wasa finalistfor British
Columbia's
EthelWilsonFictionPrize.Hernewest
novel,Pulse,will beavailablethis month.
ThisPlaceCalledAbsence
istoldin thevoices
offourwomen:a mother,
herdaughter
anda
pairof loverslivingin a brothelin Singapore
at
theturnofthecentury.
Howarethestoriesof
thesewomenrelated?
Zoe Whittall is a dual-genrewriter, publishing
in both fiction and poetry and is the winner
of the Writers' Trust Dayne OgilvieAward for
Best Erne ging Gay Writer in Canada. Her
novels Bottle Rocket Hearts and Holding
Still For as Long as Possible, as well as her
poetry collections, The Best TenMinutes of
YourLife, The Emily ValentinePoems and
Precordial Thump have made her a household name for Canadian queers. Raised on
a sheep farm, she currently
lives in Toronto.
In Holding Still For as
Long as Possible, the
story of a domestic
relationship quietly
unraveling is juxtaposed
against shorter tales of
so Icurve
In the novel,the two ah ku [sextradeworkers]
arefabricationsof [thecharacter]WuLan.As
actualwomen,theydid existin early20thcenturySingapore,
as shefoundout aboutthem
from readinga bookshefoundin the library.
Thetwo actualwomenkilledthemselves.But
WuLancreateda wholeworld aboutthemin
her head,as shelaterdisclosesto her lover,
Frances.Shedoesit to copewith herfather's
suicide.So,we havea chorusof women.Really,
it's WuLanarguingwith two aspectsof herself
abouthowa womanmustcopewith hersufferingandwhomsheexpects-or doesn't-to
rescueher.It's alsoaboutherestrangement
from,as well as intimacywith, Mahmeeandhow
theycopeverydifferentlywith their loss.
WuLanseeksanonymous
sexwithwomenbut
isn'tentirelysuccessful.
Doyouthinklesbians
arebuiltforanonymous
sexualencounters?
No.I won't generalize!
Thatwouldbe essentializing,wouldn'tit?
Baoshi,
thenovicemonkand"walkingboy"of
yourtitle,hasa physical
bodythatisequally
maleandfemale.Whatwasyourpurpose
in
creatingthischaracter?
I usedhis bodyas a metaphor-to explorethe
complexitiesinherentin anyhumanbeing,to
usehis physicalembodiment
as bothmaleand
femaleto challengeus to think aboutwhat goes
intogenderconstruction
andgenderassumptions.
Wearetoo oftencaughtin beingliteralandthink
alongdualisticlines.
Ghosts
appearin bothyournovels.
Arethey
metaphorical
ormetaphysical?
Theyare bothmetaphorical
andmetaphysical.
I
usethemas symbolsof humansfeelinghaunted
bythe past,by unresolvedgriefor guilt.As well,
I believeghostsexist.Ghostsareveryrealfor
meon bothcounts.
Youhavealsopublished
a bookof poetry,The
Colours
of Heroines.
Whatdoyoupreferabout
writingpoetry?
Poetryis lovelyin a differentway.It's like a
burstof sensation,onelineat a time,whereas
a novelis like onelongdreamor nightmare.I
likeboth.
Although
queerthemesarecentralto both
yournovels,
thereis nothing
to suggest
thison
thepackaging.
Wasthisa strategyonthepart
of yourpublishers?
Notthat I knowof. If anything,I think that
my publishershavebeenfairly energeticand
supportivein promotingthe booksto a queer
readership.Maybetheydid not wantthe straight
readerto dismissor discriminateagainstthe
booksat the outset.But I don't knowthe answer
to this, really.
Aretherelesbiancharacters
in yournew
book?
Mynewnovelis calledPulse,andit's aboutsex
andviolencein Singaporein the 1960sand'70s.
What'sthe theme?Howour livesareso interconnected,
acrossgenerations
andcountries.
Thenovelalsoexploresthe roleof hatredand
forgiveness.
Andyes,mostdefinitely,thereare
lesbiansrunningaroundin the novel!■
paramedics coping with emergencies.
Why did you include both narratives?
I think the heavierparamedicsectionstighten
up the story. I wanted to juxtaposethe real
crisismomentswith the ones that feel real,
but aren't really,like Billy'shypochondriaor
Amy's heartbreak.Thesethree narratorshave
had such differentlivesand experiencecrisis
in very differentways. Billythinks a rash on
her arm is an emergency.Josh deals with
other people'sreallife-or-death
emergenciesENeryday, and
becomes blase. His story is really
about compassionfatigue, and
how crisis workers learn to see
the world in a bleak and often
hilariousway in order to keep
working without going crazy or
fully succumbing to PTSD.
The book is ultimatelyabout
how most fear is based on a lack of
control, but that you ultimatelycan't
control anything.
Holding Still For as Long as
Possible deals with a love triangle
between a trans man and two
bisexual femmes, yet nothing on
the book's packaging suggests
there's queer content. Was this a
strategy on the part of your publisher?
Interesting!I don't think of Billy as
bisexual, she'd identify more as queer.
Maybe Amy would call herself bi. Much
has been made about the "fluidity" of the
female characters, but they're both pretty
queer-politicized that way, identify that
way. Josh is most comfortable around
queers, has a home in his queer world, but
love,dreams
,
mythologycapital,
biotechnology,
andthe practiceof writingitself.But,of course,
I
of language,
s
thanksto the mysterioupowers
...
got pulledbackintothe originalconundrum
thoughhopefullyin moreinterestingand
productiveways.
Myth,in the senseof bothfolkloreandfalse
notions,playsa largerolein yourwork.You
creationstoriesand
e
recombinChinese
fairytaleswithmythsusedto sustain
Western
held
power.Forexample,the commonly
Westernmyththatforeignerscarrydiseases
andtake awayjobs.Whydoyouusemyths
to expressyourideas?
genetically Somuchof the waywe knowourselvescomes
Yourbook~featurehumananimals,
andgoddesses to us throughmyth,in bothof the sensesyou
cyborgs
humans,
engineered
describe.I retellin orderto placemy voicesand
to you
human.Whatappeals
whobecome
charactersin a human,andsometimesnonabouthybrids?
human,community,to showthe waysin which
I'm lookingfor a wayto describethe worldwe
actuallylivein,whichisn't easywhenlanguage we areconnectedto oneanotherthroughthe
tellingandretellingof stories.In oralcultures,
is so loaded.Nooneis just onething.But
storiesarenevertold the samewaytwice;they
to
easy
really
whenyoulooklikeyouare,it is
aretoldto reflectthemomentof thetelling,evenas
instance,
For
way.
that
defined
haveyourlife
that
theyreflectthepast.I amtryingto re-engage
becauseI amAsian,I seldomget recognized
damaged
our
remake
to
order
in
ancientpower
as lesbian.Inthe momentI beganwriting,or at
denyinghistory.
,
worlddifferentlywithout
wasa lot of pressureon
,
leastpublishingthere
authorwho
Canadian
Chinese
queer
a
are
You
e
experienc
"the
about
Asianwomento write
with
work
nre
cross-ge
s
political,
publishe
there
though
s
woman"-a
Asian
an
being
of
Thiswouldseemto
g
smallpublishinhouses.
weresometruththatcouldbecapturedand
, anentireissueof a
limityouraudienceyet
disclosedthatwouldshatteran inscrutability
to scholarly
dedicated
was
journal
literary
actually
is
it
... when
imaginedbythe mainstream
readers?
your
are
Who
work.
your
on
essays
ed,
multifacet
about
. writing
a projectionBy
whenI first startedwriting,I thought
fantasticbeings,I hopedto shakefullyfreeof that Honestly,
myfamilyandfriendswouldreadmy work
sothat I couldwriteabout
set of expectations,
that wouldbethat. Butmy readershiphas
and
the wholerangeof thingsthat interestme-race,
outto beso muchmorecomplexand
turned
also
but
class,genderandsexualityfor sure,
LarissaLai would be
a challengeto any
marketingfirm, but that's what makesher
workso compelling.She'sChineseCanadian,
andnowlivesin
but grewup in Newfoundland
sheteachesat the University
r,
Vancouvewhere
. novels-When FoxIs
of BritishColumbiaHer
andSaltFishGirl-have bothbeen
a Thousand
severalawards,includingthe
for
d
short-liste
Booksin CanadaFirstNovelAward.Herwork is
to sit comfortablyon a genre
too experimental
shelf,andhercharactersareoftennot entirely
human.She's,well,quirky.Oh,andalsoqueer.
Larissa Lai
has a straight sexual orientation. But, to
get to your question about the back cover
copy, I didn't even notice there wasn't
a mention. You only have to read a few
pages of the book to know there's queer
content. It wasn't a strategy on the part of
my publisher at all.
The story isn't about the fact that
they're queer or genderqueer, it's about
the larger issues in their lives. I'm pretty
much known, if at all, for being queer and
writing about queer lives, but the novel isn't
about identity at all. I didn't want Josh's
transsexuality to be a topic in the book, or
a: an issue, the way it is in most books with
~ trans characters. It wouldn't be organic
~0 to the plot for the characters to sit around
discussing it, because he transitioned years
0
w before the book starts. It was important to
1
me that he come across as an authentic,
whole character, and not just an exploitive
plot point.
Your poetry feels more intimate, more
confessional to me than your novels.
What do you like about poetry?
I love the freedom you can have with
poetry to play with form and language,
with collage and paste, and to be playful,
without necessarily having to pay attention
to story. But I do feel like writing long fiction
is where I'm most comfortable now. I love
creating people and being around them for
years, watching their stories unfold.
Sad things happen in your novels, but I
loved the dry way the narrator in Bottle
Rocket Hearts dissects everything from
sexual politics to the flaky customers
she deals with at a health food store.
varied.I don'tthink it's as easyas sayingmy
folk, brownpeople,
readersarewomen,LGBTQ
scientists,hippies,speculativefictionfans,
poets,geeksandintellectuals,
experimental
althoughall of this maybe partiallytrue.What
I think is that readersof all stripesaresmarter,
moreinterestingandmorehopefulthanthe
mainstreampublishingindustry,with all its
andstatistics,canpanderto.
demographics
publisheadbookof poetry,
Youhaverecently
Yourpoetry,likeyour
ies.
n
Biograph
Automato
quality,butis more
hasa mash-up
novels,
of itsexperibecause
forread~rs
challenging
mentalform.Whatdoyoupreferaboutwriting
poetryversusfiction?
I like writingpoetrybecauseit offersa greater
freedomof form andan opportunityto reallyget
into languageandplaywith it. I do sometimes
wishthat morereadersweremoreinterested
in playandlessinterestedin fixedmeaning.
readersdo getthis.
ThoughI think lots of LGBTQ
Wevaluepleasurein life,why not in language?■
How important is humor to you? Would
you ever write a more gothic, Canadianstyle novel about landscape and
alcoholic fathers?
Oh, man, no way! Humor is very important
to me. My favorite writers tend to be
witty-Douglas Coupland, Miriam Toews,
Marisha Pessl, Lorrie Moore-and I aspire
to that. I also love watching stand-up and
get a lot of inspiration from comics. The
characters in the new book are all kind of
cynical, and it was really important to me
to try and capture a specific kind of humor
that paramedics have-almost beyond a
gallows humor. I spent over a year hanging
out with groups of medics- and trying to
drink like them, which is impossible-and
I really feel like I almost have the ability to
laugh at anything.
■
March 2010 j 51
There's Something Queer Going On SarahWaters
on her latestbook and why she lovesghoststories.By RachelBeebe
of any lesbian characters in her latest book.
Instead, the story is told through the eyes of a
middle-aged male character, Dr. Faraday, who
befriends the Ayreses and becomes enmeshed
in their family problems. But, as the novel
progresses, and things that can't be logically
explained begin happening, it becomes clear
that even though there are no gay characters,
there is something decidedly queer going on.
"It's queer in the old-fashioned sense;'
says Waters, who sees a connection between
supernatural storie~ and gay characters,
naming Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of
Hill House and Henry James' The Turn of
the Screw as examples. "Certainly, haunted
house novels have often been attractive t~
gay writers, or they've sort of had room for
gay characters. It feels to me like a slightly
queer genre, anyway. And I think a lot of
what happens in the house, you know, it's not
pyrotechnically scary, but it's just, things are
wrong, they feel slightly wrong- I like that.
They're queer, just not quite right. And that
arah Waters' 1998 debut novel, Tipping the Velvet, just feels very suggestive to me:•
opens with a wonderfully cheeky innuendo: "Have
The novel opens on a flashback of Hundreds Hall in its
you ever tasted a Whitstable oyster?" asks the heyday. The Georgian mansion is the family home of the
innocent Nan King, protagonist of the first Ayreses and the true main character of the book. Since the
of three books Waters has famously called her "lesbo- war it has fallen into disrepair, pushing the family deeper and
Victorian romps:• With that line, and the unique brand
deeper into debt and standing as a reminder of past prosperity
of lesbian historical fiction it introduced, the Welsh author
and a now-defunct social order. The Aryreses-the widowed
embedded herself in the hearts and minds of lesbian readers mother, Mrs. Ayres, and her adult children Caroline and
on both ;ides of the Atlantic and beyond, winning a Lambda Roderick-are haunted by this past and by a future in which
Literary award for Tipping the Velvet and racking up plaudits none of them seems to have a place. The house stands in for
for each of her four subsequent novels.
the class conflicts of post-war England, and the haunting shifts
The most recent, The Little Stranger, published last slowly from a figurative one, to a literal one.
year, veers away from the style of the bawdy VictorianBut it's not just the genre of TheLittle Stranger that is a bit
era picaresque that established Waters as an international
queer. Readers will recognize an overt butchness in Caroline,
literary celebrity even more so than did her fourth book, The who rambles around the estate without stockings or a hat, and
Night Watch, which was set in World War II-era London. The whose square jaw, tanned, strong legs and forward demeanor
Little Stranger is, as Waters calls it, a haunted house·novel. She mark her out as unladylike for her time, despite her aristoreturns to the 1940s, but instead of London, the book is set cratic manners. But, Waters says, though Caroline's sexuality
in a sleepy town in Warwickshire, England, and instead
is "quite complicated" she didn't intend for her to be a read as
of following the exploits of a group of mostly Sapphically- a closet case. "I could just feel her-I definitely wanted her
inclined female characters (as TheNight Watch did) TheLittle to be not a traditional, pretty girl because I needed her to be
Stranger follows the slow demise of the Ayres family, landed trapped. So I thought, she's clever, she's plain, at a time when
gentry brought low by the war and the shifting class structures
to be clever and plain were real handicaps for a woman:•
~
of mid-century Britain.
Waters' decision to write the book from a male point of ~
Most striking for Waters' lesbian fans, who fell in love with view is another departure that isn't as drastic as fans might ~
Nan and her other well-crafted lesbian characters-not to think. "Ultimately, it didn't feel that different from any other ~
mention her steamy girl-on-girl sex scenes-is the absence of my narrators, I have to say. You know, it's always an act I~
S
Like NowhereElse
of the imagination, you're always trying to
bring someone to life who's not you, so you
have to do that work:' And in fact, Waters
says that writing from a male perspective
was liberating. "My female characters have
always had to desire each other in secretthat's the nature of the books and the time
periods. But he could really enjoy his desire,
and there was this real sense of entitlement
behind it, that was both quite liberating
and slightly sinister. It was like patriarchyin-action kind of thing:'
The mystery behind the spooky incidents
are never solved in the book, and Waters
says she knew from the beginning that she
wanted to leave her story open-ended. For
her, it was more about exploring the effects
of the social changes going on at the time on
the characters. "The idea of hauntings and
menace, I realized, would work very well
when I was writing about class, because ...
the upper middle classes did feel menace by
the changes that were happening. They did
feel under threat from the working.classes:'
The unresolved ending may be frustrating
for some readers (especially those, like this
one, who were also waiting for Caroline to
come out and ravish the parlor maid on the
scullery table), but Waters enjoys the idea of
people reading things into the story that she
hasn't thought of. "My mum thought it was
Roderick behind it all. My sister thought
it was the ghost of the little girl. My dad
thought the doctor was involved, you know,
so it was really interesting getting this whole
range of things;' she says.
And, knowing Waters' fan base, which
is particularly loyal, there will be a number
batted
of authoritative interpretations
around. There is a thriving body of fan
fiction based on Waters' work, which she
seems self-depreciatingly tickled by. "I find
it fascinating and slightly unnerving, actually,
to ... see my characters developing like their
own in someone else's fiction;' she says. "In
fact, somebody sent me one where they'd
done this most ingenious thing where they
had two of the characters from The Night
Watch driving an ambulance to a building
[to find] these two ancient women and
they're ill, and it turns out to be Nancy and
Florence from Tipping the Velvet.They put
two of the novels together in one story. It
was quite amazing:'
And Waters is decidedly modest about
her celebrity. "It's not that big a deal, really,
because I think even very famous writers
are still pretty invisible in lots of ways:' But
Waters' modesty belies the fact that in the
U.K., where there has been a significant publishing boom in recent years, being a famous
author has become a pretty big deal. "I think
something has happened in the U.K. around
books recently;' she admits. "That suddenly
readings become really popular with loads
of book groups and it's very mainstream
and there's Richard and Judy, you know, the
book club? It's like mini-Oprah:'
Even for an American bibliophile, though,
it might be hard to understand the extent
of the U.K. book boom and what it means
for authors across the pond, with Waters at
the forefront. She says that her status as a
lesbian writer hasn't affected her rise to fame
in the way it might have in the U.S., and she
mentions some other high-profile British
writers-Ali Smith, Shaun Mendelson, Val
have made it big in the
McDermid-who
feel like lesbians are right
doesn't
same way."It
there in the mainstream [in the U.S.] the way
they are in the U.K., but then ... you've got like
high-profile lesbian entertainers over here in
a way that we haven't, I don't think:'
That's not to say that Waters doesn't
appreciate her lesbian following. The writer
says she enjoys meeting her readers, especially
the lesbian ones, and she has even been on
an Olivia cruise, along with fellow queer
writers Dorothy Allison, Michelle Tea and
Katherine V.Forrest. "Certainly, if I ever get
recognized by somebody, it's usually a pretty
nice encounter because if someone comes
and says something to me it's because they
like my book or something. Often, it's
lesbians as well. It feels very meaningful,
you know what I meant
And, for those of you who are jonesing
for another lesbo romp, full of the dyke
characters that made her a household
name in the lesbian community, Waters
hints that her next book will satisfy in a
way that The Little Stranger didn't. She's
cagey about her next project, but does
say, "I think it will be another lesbian
novel, and it might be early 20th century
rather than this period. But I don't know:'
Sounds like we have something to look
forward to. ■
Literary Lesbos
Tortillera Girl
Mayra Lazara Dole spins a tale of a young lesbian
searching for identity. By Sheela Lambert
ayra Lazara Dole's first novel, Down to the Bone,
is the first young adult novel about a Latina
lesbian. It follows Laura, a questioning Latina
teen who gets kicked out of both her home and
school when a teacher catches her with a love note from her
girlfriend. The girlfriend is then shipped off to get married
in Puerto Rico and Laura struggles to find a new place to
live, mend her broken heart, make new friends and figure
out whom she wants to love. Down to the Bone is humorous,
heartwarming and full of life, with colorful descriptions of
Cuban Miami and its denizens and complete with a handy
glossary of Spanish slang. Among the list: tortillera, which
means dyke.
Ironically, until recently the
author couldn't even hold her own
book in her hand. After a chemical
injury from a common household
"bug bomb" (now banned) developed
into a severe case of multiple chemical
sensitivities (MCS), Dole needed to
live in a sealed off"bubble" room for
six years. During this time, Dole
(who also authored two bilingual
children's books, Birthday in the
Barrio and Drum, Chavi, Drum!)
managed to type the novel with
her eyes closed (she was dizzy with
them open).
M
In DowntotheBone,Laura'smotherkicksheroutofthehouse
whenshe is outedby her teacher.Howwas yourcoming
outprocess?
Have you ever had your eyeballs pierced without anesthesia? I
had mad crushes on boys and had never thought of girls (as
anything] other than friends. In ninth grade, a close friend
and I danced around in my room to ballistic beats. She
turned the music to slow _Bosanovaand plopped on my bed,
belly down. One juicy thing led to another. The following
morning, our math teacher from hell ... ripped the sizzling,
graphic note my new girlfriend had written me about my
first time out of my hands. She stormed to Mother Superior's
office. They read it to my mom in full detail and explained,
"Sex of any kind between teens isn't allowed in our all-girl
school. Your daughter is expelled:' My friends shunned me.
Religious girls ostracized me. I was punished and my mom
never allowed me to see my girlfriend again. But, I snuck out
and kept on seeing her.
Laurastartsoutafraid,butbytheendofthebookshebecomes
veryindependent
andbrave.
I love writing emotion-centered stories that aren't polemic
54
Icurve
and bogged down with messages, issues or preachiness. I wrote
that ending to inspire and empower Latina lesbian teens.
Thereisa lotofteasing
andnicknamesbetween
thecharacters
inthebook.
In my culture, everybody has at least one nickname, including
pets. Teasing, goofing off, laughter and self-deprecating
humor is a big part of Cuban American life.
Yourbookis fullof veryvividdescriptions
of thesights,
sounds
andsmellsof CubanMiami,yetat thetimeyouwere
writing,youhadnocontactwiththeoutsideworld._How
did
youdoit?
Living sealed, the sights and sounds became more vivid. I
wrote them in full detail while living
"trapped" ... in complete isolation.
Lauraisa femmewholikesother
femmes.
Doyouthinkthisdynamic
is
underrepresented
in queerwomen's
literature?
I think so. Personally, I've always loved
women who look feminine, regardless of how they are under the sheets.
Laura .. .looks feminine but isn't ...
submissive in bed. She tries out a boi,
but in the end, it's the feminine-looking
girls that turn her on.
Howdidyoumeetyourlifepartner,
Damarys?
I was volunteering at a nursing home
where her mom was placed as my assistant
The first day we met she asked me in
Spanish, "You are familia, right?" Familia
in Cuban means gay. My jaw dropped. I
asked, "Why?" She responded, "You're exactly my daughter's
type. She'll fall madly in love with you. Here's her number.
· Call her:' She was right.
What'snext?
My next two novels are more Americanized. I wrote Down to
the Bone partly because Latinas have no "questioning" story of
our own. My new novels ~ave all "out" female characters that
are lesbian, bi and fluid in their sexuality. ■
"I love writing emotioncentered stories that aren't
polemicand bogged down with
messages,issuesor preachiness."
United States of India
prosehasgrabbedmediaattentionin bothhernativeIndia
subversive
AbhaDawesar's
andheradoptedhome,NewYork.TimeOutcalledheroneof NewYork'sHot25whileIndia
Babyji,hersecondbook,wonthe
namedheroneof India's25YoungAchievers.
Today
aswellasa LambdaLiteraryAward.
Award
Book
's
Stonewall
libraryAssociation
American
as"anIndianlord of theFlies,"
whichshedescribes
Hermostrecentbook,FamilyValues,
in 2009.
waspublished
I
ts beenvariously
Yourprotagonishave
maleandfemale,white
gayandstraight,
and Indian,youngandold.Whatcan
youtell us aboutthe processof creating
suchdifferentcharacters?
Forme,the fun part of writinga novelis
oftenaboutthe skin of the protagonist
I haveto inhabit.Writingin the voiceof
AndreBernard,a gaywhite manliving
in NewYork,in myfirst novel,waslike
makinga journeyinto his escapades.
Grapplingwith a maincharacterlike Prem
Rustum,whois 75,wassobering.Premis
comingto termswith his mortalityin [my
third book,]ThatSummerin Paris,and
reflectingon his past.I usedmy instincts
writingthe book,but afterthe first draft
wasdoneI actuallydid interviewsand
spoketo oldermento vet the character.
Gettinginto Prem'sskin meantlooking
at the worldthroughhis eyesandthe
weightof his past.Often,whileI amin the
throesof a novel,the charactersinvade
meso muchthat I ceaseto havemyown
emotionalexistence.Whenthis happens
it is almostspiritual,sincethereis a real
overcomingof the self.
oft Babyji,
Theteenageprotagonis
usesherpoweras
Sharma,
Anamlka
headprefectto bestowfavorsand
in sexual
engages
e
manipulatpeople,
of her
activitywithoutthefullconsent
partnerandhideshersexualrelationwomen.Howhave
shipswithvarious
to her?
readersresponded
I think eachreadercomesto the book
with his or her ownvision.Hercharacter,
like Prem'sin ThatSummerin Parisand
is drawnout in
Andre'sin Miniplanner,
shadesof grayratherthanblackand
, is unableto live
white.Sometimesshe
up to her ownwell-meaningintentions
towardher lover,Rani,whileat other
timesshedoes.Onthe onehand,Anamika
wishesto be utterlyfree of the restrictions
of hersociety,butthe weightof social
a:
w
cc reality,the economicdifferencebetween
.Gj
lJ..
herselfandRaniandevenRani'scaste
Cl
:::,
<(
proveto weighheavilyat moments.There
z
~
is alsothe questionof power,whichis at
oncebothseductiveandanti-democratic.
Partof Anamika'sdesireto leavea
like India'scomes
l
hierarchicasociety
fromwantingto goto a countrywhere
everyoneis equal,notjust in the eyesof
the law,but alsoin its socialmores.
a MayThatSummerin Parisconcerns
a famod
ip
between
er
to-Decembrelationsh
female
malewriterandanaspiring
youpreferto
,
would
writer.Personally
ofyourstatus,your
bedesiredbecause
intellector your physicalappearance?
thatpeople
I thinkit is almostuniversal
wishto bedesiredfor qualitiestheyfeel
In
to deserve.
theyhavedonesomething
thosethreequalitiesmean
differentsocieties,
status
differentthings.In India,for example,
is inherited,whereasin the U.S.,it can
be acquiredandreflectone'sownhard
Desiringmeans
work andachievement.
differentthingsin thesetwo societies.
Intellect,evenif partiallyinheritedand
partlynurtured,is thensomethingonehas
to striveto shape.Physicalappearance
for a danceris a verydifferentexpression
thanfor someonewhoisn't involvedin a
I'd settlefor
physicalpractice.Personally,
in my
factor
preferred
the
mywritingas
life. [NaimeHoltz]
I
Women's resorts, bars,
cafes, bookstores & more,
across ttie us,icanada,
Europe &:beyond.
I I
I
I
I
I
l
Rius lesbian cruises &
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.--.- fllm fests,
LGBT
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amr.
I1
I
REVIEWSMusic Watch
Sin a Son
Channel your inner diva with these sing-along sounds. By Margaret Coble
A FineSetof Fools,Nicole
Reynolds
(self-released}:
"Hermaphrodite
sexis
amazing."
Sogoesa linefrom
"Earthworms,"
a meandering
tuneonNicoleReynolds'
mostrecentalbum,A Fine
Setof Fools.
This16-track
discexhibitstheyoungbut
talentedsinger-songwriter's
knackfor melody,hookand
harmony.
Reynolds'
voicesimultaneously
wispyand
childlike,butnotchildish-is
coupledwitha lyrical
earnestness
bordering
on
poetic.Reynolds
is seemingly
unafraidof vulnerability,
and
herlyricsinvitethe listener
in for a warm,awkward
hugyoucan'trefuse.Her It's a rare album that makes me want to sing at the top Zimbabwean frontwoman
songsmovebetweenlove of my lungs (which I'm sure my partner is thankful for).
andlonging,
folkycomfort Recent releases by Laura Love and Orville Johnson, Shingai Shoniwa is one of the
andexistentiat
wanderings, Noisettes and Nellie McKay fit the bill, though.
mountain
storytelling
and They're filled with soaring melodies and infectious most original, eclectic vocalists aninexplicable
obsession vocal
hooks that inspire even the tone~deaf (like me)
withthesea.Byreleasing
to come along in ages.
to sing out loud. Glee!
herfourthalbuminjustover
threeyears,Reynolds
maybe
TheSweetertheJuice,LauraLoveandOrvilleJohnson Chariot;' civil rights~era mainstays like "We Shall
runningtheriskof puttingout
(Octoroon.
Biography/OJM}:
toomuchtoofast-only time
Laura Love's unique hybrid Not Be Moved/Stayed on Freedom" and bluegrass
will tell.Fornow,closeyour of bluegrass, funk and folk has long been a favorite of standards like "Cotton eyed Joe;' which segues into
eyesandlet hersongswhisk mine. This 11th album release features Love pairing the country standard "Ruby (Are You Mad at Your
youawayto a ruralfarmhouse up with her frequent collaborator Orville Johnson,
Man?):' All the tracks are taken from the many live
whereeveryone
is happily,
the Seattle~based master of country~blues dobro sets that Love and Johnson have performed together,
humblyandaffectionately
guitar. The interplay of Johnson's fingerpicking and and their familiarity with and love of these gems is
gathered
aroundthefire.
(nicolereynolds-music.
com) Love's distinctive bass is a perfect match, but it's their obvious. I can't help but bellow along. (lauralove.net)
[AshGoddard] powerful vocals that really shine on this set. The
if)
lO~cut disc features a few songs from Love's last disc, Wild YoungHearts, Noisettes(Mercury/Universal}:
§
Negrass (the yodeling "Passin' " and the dirge "Load Noisettes are a London~based trio who stormed ~
Up;' which segues into the civil rights anthem "Eyes the U.K. music scene in 2007 with their debut ~!5,
on the Prize"), as well as 2008's presidential campaign What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? This sophomore disc ~Cl
ode "Yes We Can:' The bulk of the disc, however, continues to get them widespread recognition in ~
:r:
sports well~worn spirtuals like "Swing Low, Sweet the United States, thanks to their pop~perfect ~
56
I curve
blend of garage rock, '60s
R&B and soul, '70s disco
and glam rock and '80s new
wave. Zimbabwean frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa
is one_of the most original,
eclectic vocalists to come
along in ages, evoking everyone from Billie Holiday
to Eartha Kitt, Blondie,
Amy Winehouse and Lady
Gaga, often within the
NelHeMcKay
same song. I'm particularly
fond of the simpler, mellow
fare like the dreamy "Atticus" and the
acoustic "Sometimes;' but the jumpy, handclapping tide track, girl-group sounds of
"Never Forget You;• four-on-the-floor
club anthem "Don't Upset the Rhythm"
"Saturday
and synth-and-cowbell-heavy
Night" all exhibit the band's mastery of the
vocal hook. I guarantee you'll find it hard
to resist the urge to hum, whistle or even
warble along. ( noisettes.net)
to
Pie:A Tribute
asBlueberry
Normal
Fans
(Verve}:
DorisDay,NellieMcKay
of this eclectic,outspoken, Englishborn New York singer might be
surprised at this irony-free tribute
to 'J\merica's Sweetheart;' but in
her typically subversive fashion,
McKay shines a loving spotlight
on the strength of a woman
who-though always seen smiling
during her stellar recording, film
and TV career-suffered abusive
husbands, personal trials and
financial woes. From the tinkling
keys of "The Very Thought Of You" to
the breathy WWII homecoming anthem
"Sentimental Journey" to the dreamy '60s
classic "Send Me No Flowers;• it's all about
the power of songwriting and vocal delivery.
"If Ever I Had a Dream" is the only McKay
original on the disc, written for Day in honor
of her animal activism (which McKay shares).
All I have to say is, who doesn't like a Doris
Day song? (nelliemckay.com) ■
withFriends
FunShopping
•l/
Reviews: real opinions
X
Sexis magazine:
discover your own is
from real people
.....:t___
,,r,
~,.-
A!J Speak up:
forums and polls
JII
Connect to toy
makers: Edenlink
Fun to follow:
EdenCafe blog
Get personal:
interviews
www.edenfantasys.com
(800) 350-9050 Mon-Fr 8 am-4 pm ET
@
edenfantasys
facebook@ edenfantasys
Jungle
Concrete
Nneka
(YoMama/Decon/
Epic)
Allin One
BehelGilberto
(Verve)
Themultitalented
of the
Alreadybeinglauded daughter
asthe newLauryn
bossanova
Brazilian
Hillor ErykahBadu,
legendJoaoGilberto
this Nigerian-German andthesingerMiucha
dynamomakesher
returnswithherfourth
U.S.debutwitha
solostudioalbum,sung
genre-smashing
mostlyin Portuguese
12-cutcollectionof
andfilledwithher
hip-hop,soul,reggae trademarkblendof
Lush, Brazilian
andelectronica.
rhythmsand
production.
intelligentandfilled
electronic
withlove,hopeand
It's moreatmospheric
thisalbum anddreamythansome
optimism,
is a tributeto the
of herpasteffortsontheStevie
peopleof Warriandthe especially
cover,"The
NigerDeltaof Nigeria, Wonder
whereNnekais from. RealThing,"which
Beautifulandbold.
is a bit abstractand
comlnneka- undanceable.
(bebelgil(myspace.
world)
berto.com)
Girlsin Trouble
Girlsin Trouble
(JDUB)
PinkElephant
N'Dambi
(Stax)
former
ThisDallas-born
is
Girlsin Trouble
ErykahBadubackup
AliciaJo Rabins,a
singermakesher
trained,
classically
indiefolk-punkJewish debutonthelegendary
Seminary imprintStaxwitha
Theological
12-cutset
graduatewhodecided gorgeous
of elegantandsensual
tellingthe storiesof
theforgottenwomen soul.A giftedstoryteller,
mostof hersongs
of theTorahthrough
areobservational
songwouldbefun.
aboutothers'
vignettes
she's
Remarkably,
lives.Theopening,
right.Themusicis
"L.I.E.,"is abouta
her
mesmerizing,
vocalsaretenderand manlivinga double
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•
REVIEWSIn the Stacks
._
Thisyearcurve celebrates
our2othanniversary
bylooking
backatthewomen
whoinspired
usthen.
Twenty
yearsago,AlixDobkin
wasa seminal
womyn's
musician,
TerryCastle
a hotshot
Stanford
profandBreedlove
fronted
thesubversive
andbrashall-female
punkbandTribe8, knownfor
theirprovacative
stageperformances
whereshefrequently
perfonned
topless,
sporting
a
strap-on,
creating
a queercore,
counterculture
response
towomyn's
music.
Stri.kin a Chord
Alix Dobkin and Lynnee Breedlove take to the page. By Rachel Pepper
TheProfessor
andOther
Writings,
TerryCastle
(HarperCollins):
A collection
of sixrecent
essaysfromthisStanford
professor
andLambda
LiteraryAwardwinner,
TheProfessor
is a hybrid
of memoirandcriticism
containingequalmeasures
of
goodhumor,snarkandselfdeprecation.
Thecenterpiece
is a lengthydissection
of
Castle'srelationship
with
a femaleprofessor
during
hercollegeyears,which,
thoughrevealing
andwitty,is
sometimes
self-indulgently
obsessive.
Butshemakes
upfor it withpieceslike"My
HeroinChristmas,"
a lookat
addiction
andfamilyrelations
toldthrougha tributeto the
jazzsaxophonist
ArtPepper,
and"Travels
WithMyMother,"
whichagainmixesa very
personal
accountof Castle's
familialrelationships
with
a moreformalanalysisof
thepainterAgnesMartin.
Thisformidable
academic
courageously
opensa window
onherownself-doubt,
all
thewhiledemonstrating
her
strikingclarityof thoughtand
a refreshing
abilityto nottake
herselftooseriously.
(harpercollins.com)
[Rachel
Beebe]
ss I curve
Two pioneering singer-songwriters turn to prose for
a unique take on politics, identity and queer community.
Lynnee Breedlove· tackles gender identity and
sexuality and Alix Dobkin.reflects on her life before
she became a fixture on the women's music scene.
and against transitioning.
This is a slim book you can read in one sitting, but
it's best to draw it out by savoring each morsel and
enjoying the themes it explores. Most notably, these
include deliberations on transitioning from female
, to male; Breedlove's favorite little person, nicknamed
LynneeBreedlove's
OneFreakShow,LynnBreedlove "The Biz"; and family-both biological and chosen.
(ManicD Press):
Lynnee Breedlove may be best known
Breedlove also pays homage to the pioneering
as the lead singer of the legendary and now-defunct
lesbian activists and longtime lovers Del Martin and
dyke punk band Tribe 8. But the performer is also Phyllis Lyon in"Goin' to the Chapel;' which Breedlove
an author with considerable literary talent. Having
hopes to expand into a longer work of "quistorY:'This
written most of the songs in Tribe S's canon, Breedlove project would likely include other important queer
has a fl.air for pushing boundaries and a uniquely
folks, such as James Baldwin, Rita Mae Brown,
queer, s.narky style of hilarious understatement.
Harry Hay and Audre Lorde, says Breedlove, and
So it's no surprise that Lynnee Breedlove's One Freak "be from the perspective of a guy whose transition
Show is an enjoyable, rapid-fire read.
was bri~fly interrupted by 30 years of feminism:'
No stranger to prose, Breedlove is also the author
In the meantime, readers will enjoy exploring
of the acclaimed novel Godspeed, which came out Breedlove'stake on some rarely discussed gender issues
in 2002 and made critics sit up and take notice of in Lynnee Breedlove'sOne Freak Show, and will probably
Breedlove's multifaceted talents.
laugh out loud while doing so. (manicdpress.com)
This newer work is a collection inspired in part
by Breedlove's recent tour of "One Freak Show" My·RedBlood,
AlixDobkin(Alyson):
Alix Dobkin was
and "Confessions of a Poser:' Two of the best an integral figure in the women's music scene that
chapters are 'J\lphabet City," a riff on the varied, boomed in the late 1970s through the 1980s. In 1973,
and seemingly increasing, number of components
Dobkin became the first artist to release an openly
of the gay community, and "Confused, Confused,
lesbian record, Lavender Jane Loves Women, which
Don't Wanna Be Confused;' which lists reasons for helped birth a new and empowering sapphic-centered
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Dobkin is now a grandmother living
in upstate New York, and there are many
longtime fans who would appreciate an
autobiography that recounted her version
of this movement.
This autobiography, however, does
not tell that story. Instead, it recounts
Dobkins youth, from "red diaper baby"
through her childhood friendships, camp
days, musical beginnings, marriage and
motherhood. And then, just as the book is
getting to the significant gay stuff, it ends.
That is not to say that the early years of her
life aren't interesting. Her upbringing was
unusual, and the book is told enthusiastically,in short, interlinked vignettes.
A child of Jewish communist intellectuals
who were friends with fellow leftists and
celebrities like Paul Robeson, Dobkin had
an essentially happy childhood. Her first
feelings for women were clear by adolescence, but she had no framework in which
to place them.
While spending time with a woman she
adored, she writes that she "did not look
kindly upon anyone mistaking Nancy and
me for lesbians. Clearly we were nor:' Yet,
she writes, "My introduction to women
• who made their lives with other women
was stunning, enthralling, intoxicating:'
Eventually learning to play the guitar
and setting her sights on a career in music,
Dobkin married producer Sam Hood,
who managed clubs like New York's
famous Gaslight Cafe. Rubbing shoulders
with the legendary musicians of the day
(including Bob Dylan, who called her his
favorite woman folksinger), Dobkin had
a child, kept chasing around the edges of
her musical dreams and grew discontented
with her life. Back in New York City, she
joined a women's consciousness-raising
group, read feminist literature and one day
realized that "men had disappeared from
[her] life:'
Her first solid lesbian relationship
soon followed and, in 1973, she released
Lavender Jane, ushering in what she calls
"the golden age of women's music:'
Sadly, two pages later, the book ends.
If you're looking for the backstory of
a significant figure in the LGBT movement, consider My Red Blood a must.
For gossip about your favorite founding
musical mothers, it's best to look somewhere else. (alyson.com)■
Confession is Go.od for the Soul
The tell-all memoir trend brings us three books that will
satisfy your morbid curiosities.
Confessional memoirs have become
a literary fad and, even after some
less truthful ones (ahem, James Frey),
publishers continue to roll them out.
Seal Press is no exception, with three
new books in this vein. Lucky for us,
they have queer content we can sink
our literary teeth into.
Catherine McCaWs When the Piano
Stops reveals the dark and traumatic
events of her youth as the memories
of her sexually abusive father and
alcoholic mother begin to flood back
into her consciousness years later.
While the book can be hard to read
at times, McCall is an insightful writer
and even those who have never
faced this kind of abuse will learn
about inner strength and emotional
healing from her harrowing tale.
Nicole Johns' Purge, which has
been compared to the film Girl,
Interrupted, reads like a diary account
of the 88 days she spent in an eating
disorder treatment facility. While
Drenched
MarisaMatarazzo
(SoftSkullPress)
there, Johns battles
her eating disorder (a
combination of anorexia
and bulimia) by tackling
her thoughts about body image,
sexuality, relationships and a past
sexual assault. There is no Disneyesque happy ending or sugarcoating
going on here; Johns' writing is •
vivid and to the point, creating an
atmosphere of stark realism and a
sometimes darkly comic window into
her world.
Ask Me About My Divorce is a
collection of 29 essays on the trials of
marriage and divorce. While nearly all
the stories, edited by Candace Walsh,
are about traditional marriages, there
is one queer gem to be found among
the rest.
Regardless, accounts of women
finding the strength to leave bad or
abusive relationships will resonate
with everyone. (seal-press.com)
[ArielMessman-Rucker]
ExitMay BangDitto
andVirginia TheNearest
Vanessa
AmberTamblyn
BeBehindYou
SusanSellers
Mifflin
(Houghton
Harcourt)
A steamyyet bizarre
takeon infatuation
Thisnovelfollows
andsex,Matarazzo's VirginiaWoolfandher
shortstoriesexplore sister,Vanessa,
from
the TwilightZoneof
theirtroubledchildhood
sexualchemistry.
at HydeParkGate
PictureHunterS.
throughtheircreative
as a hot,
Thompson.
adultlivesamongthe
youngwomanon the infamous
andsexually
pathto sexualexplo- liberatedBloomsbury
rationandthat is the
circle.Incest,madness
love
essenceof Matarazzo, andhomoerotic
whowritesas if
arejust a fewof the
thereis no destinaissuesthatSellers
tion,just thejourney navigates
in thisstunitself.(softsku/1.com) ningwork.(hmh[BrianaHernandez] co.com)[LisaGunther]
S. BearBergman
PulpPress)
(Arsenal
(ManicD Press)
ThoughTamblynis
betterknownfor her
A secondcollection
of autobiographical actingthanherpoetry,
calleeessayson genderand this remarkable
identityby Bergman, tionshowsoff herskill
withwry metaphors
whosetransmascuandincisivelanguage
linegenderidentity
in poemslike"RunOn"
as
is bestdescribed
"post,"andwhowrites ("Whydidn'tanyone
tell me/thatvaginasare
about
unabashedly
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mostaccessible.
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nalpulp.com)
[DAM]
Anderson-Minshall] press.com)
March 2010
I59
REVIEWSSapphic Screen
Takin
the Camera
Two docs for women, by women. By Candace Moore
WandaSykes:/'maBeMe
(HBO):In herfirstTVspecial
sincecomingoutasa lesbian
in 2008,WandaSykes
continues
to dominate
the
worldof stand-upcomedy
with Wanda
Sykes:/'maBe
Me.Covering
everything
from
entertaining
ona gaycruise
to themetricsystem,no
topicis spared,or sacred.
Whilethereis muchof the
outspoken,
unflinching
Sykeshere(remember
whenshespurred
controversy
withher
appearance
at theWhite
HouseCorrespondents'
Dinner,
whereshecalledto
taskeveryone
fromRush
Limbaugh
to SarahPalin?)
Nowouton DVD,/'ma
alsoshowsSykes'softer
side,particularly
whenthe
newmothertalksabouther
twinsandherwife.Hilarious,
raunc~y
andinsightful,
Sykes
commands
thestage_
in this
no-holds-barred
show.Don't
missit-but domakesure
thekiddosaretuckedinto
bedfirst.(hbo.com)
[Rachel
Shatto]
60
Icurve
Two verydifferent documentaries
remind us that our stories are best
told through our own lens.
Finding
Dawn(Women
MakeMovies):
Director Christine
Welsh takes on a challenging,harrowing and ultimately
healing project: bringing to light the story of some 500
missing or murdered Canadian aboriginal women.
Because such a task is overwhelming-if not impossible-Welsh starts with the search for one women,
Dawn C_rey, who disappeared from Vancouver's
downtown East Side and whose DNA was later
discovered at a mass gravesite in a farmer's field.
Rather than focus on her murderer, John
Crawford, one of Canada's grizzliest serial killers,
Welsh instead focuses on telling the story of the
victims and their families. Her camera captures the
Women's Memorial March organized each Valentine's
Day to mourn the sisters, mothers, lovers and friends
who are on Canada's missing women's list. Welsh's
initial exploration of women who disappeared from
Vancouver's poorest neighborhood expands into a
larger topic: how Native women-stereotyped
as
"squaws"-are targeted as victims throughout the
country and how the authorities tend to be slow to
act on their behalf. This is a moving documentary in
which the victims seem to haunt the open expanses
and craggy terrain that Welsh travels in search of
answers. (wmm.com)
Lavender
Limelight:
Lesbians
infi/m(FirstRunFeatures):
This award-winning documentary provides wonderful insight into the inspirations, aspirations and
major aesthetic and content-based concerns of seven
groundbreaking lesbian filmmakers. Featuring interviews as well as carefully chosen clips from each of its
subjects' films, Lavender Limelight is an outstanding
introduction to the work of our finest queer auteurs.
Jennie Livingston reveals that she was introduced to
voguing-the inspiration for her first film, Paris Is
• '{if•
Lavender Limelight is an
outstanding introduction
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Q+A
Crystal Chappell
Burning-by chance, while walking through
Washington Square Park; Rose Troche
describes her fascination with experimental
narratives and art house cinema, interests
that drove the construction of Go Fish, one
of the most successful independent lesbian
features of the early '90s; Monika T reut dis,
cusses her S/M,inspired works, both fictional
and documentary; Maria Maggenti speaks
frankly about how her
small budget and short
shooting schedule influ,
enced the love scenes
in The Incredibly True
Adventure of Two Girls
in Love; and Heather
Lyn MacDonald con,
her film
textualizes
Ballot Measure 9. The
from
clips included
experimental filmmaker
Su Friedrich's Hide and Seek and Damned
if You Don't are beautiful to behold, and
director Cheryl Dunye caps off the film
with a history of the Dunyementary and
clips from her early shorts and her first
feature, The Watermelon Woman. Theatrically
released in 1996, this recent DVD release
is a must,have for the lesbian cinephile.
(.firstrunfeatures.com)■
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In the final season
of the long,running
soap Guiding Light,
0 livia Spencer,_played
by Crystal Chappell,
surprised herself and
millions of fans when
she fell in love with
Jessica Leccia's character,
Natalia Rivera. The duo
went on to become one
of daytime's most beloved super couples
and, like other favorite entertainment
couples, were known by their combined
name- "Oralia:' When the show went
off the air in late 2009, neither Chappell
nor the fans were ready to say goodbye to
the lezzie duo. Chappell heard the cries
of lesbian soap fans and created Venice,
a steamy new web soap that reunites
Chappell and Leccia as the star,crossed
lovers Gina and Ani. Though only in its
infancy, Venice is already one of the most
buzzed,about new Internet shows.
your
Howdidyoureactwhenyoulearned
wasgoingtokissa gin-and likeit?
character
Oh, I was thrilled. [Guiding Light co,head
writer] Jill Lorie Hurst and I had kicked
the idea around for years. We always
thought that Olivia might end up with a
woman ... ! hadn't been that excited about
. a story line in a very long time.
Howdidyouprepareforthestoryline?
I have a huge gay friend base, so I didn't
feel like I had to do a great deal of
research. It was mostly, for me, a love
story. I've had a love story in my real life,
and I've certainly played them on television,
so I really didn't feel I needed to do too
much research to tell a love story. I did
talk to some of my gay friends, and they
told me about how they came out and
when they realized they were gay and
what that felt like.
lesbianstorylineinspiredby
Is Venice's
Otaliafans?
It was totally inspired by them. I was
completely invested in Oralia and
always will be. I couldn't quite let it go.
[JameyGiddens]
March 2010
I61
/
REVIEWSTech Girl
BrazenBandwidth
Ten must-stream lesbian-themed web series. By Briana Hernandez
SUBMERGED
SOUNDS
Getthegym'spoolgrooving
witha few lapsusingthe
SwiMP3,
whichoffersthe
thingyourunderwater
workouthasbeenmissing:a
soundtrack.
Thiswaterproof
musicplayerattaches
to
yourgogglessothatits
padsreston the sidesof
yourface.Utilizingbone
conductiontechnology,
it sendstheaudiowaves
throughyourcheekbones
to
youreardrums.
It maysound
likesciencefiction,butthe
resultingsoundqualityis
far frommake-believe.
The
SwiMP3is rechargeable,
iTunes-compatible
and
comeswith1GBof storage
space(approximately
250
songs)-plentyof.
roomfor all your
favoritemotivational
tunes,makingthis
gizmoa dream
cometruefor all you
waterbabies.($150,
finisinc.com)
[RachelShatto]
Network television may be making strides in incorporating lesbians into its programming, but the Internet
is really where it's at for quality queer series. Here are
10 of our faves to stream to your heart's content.
ease and who might not. The setting and characters
exemplify the struggle of growing up gay in America,
and Hip-Flores and Pacent are compelling on-screen
lovers who will make you reminisce about the first
time you fell in love. (anyonebutmeseries.com)
WeHaveToStopNow:A married lesbian couple who
are therapists and co-authors of the No. 1 book on .SeekingSimone:Anyone who's
sustaining a successful marriage now find themselves looked for a date online (and who
on the verge of divorce, all hasn't?) will instantly identify
while under surveillance with Simone's comically tragic
by a documentary film plight. Co-creator and star Renee
crew. To save face, they're Olbert brings a na'ive charm to
forced to take a dose Simone, a Toronto transplant
of their own medicine: with a broken heart. From pickcouples therapy. Stars ing a username (CatLover? CampingCatLover?
Cathy DeBuono and WellOfLoneliness64?) to searching for a profile
Jill Bennett are joined picture that isn't so outdated it qualifies as fraud,
by Suzanne Westenhoefer in this all-too-real series Simone plunges headfirst into the world of Internet
depicting a marriage gone awry. (wehavetostopnow.tv) love. (seekingsimone.com)
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AnyoneBut Me: Vivian (Rachael Hip-Flores) is a
teen forced to leave her New York
City stomping· ground and the
girl she loves, the stunning miniAngelina, Aster (Nicole Pacent).
Tossed into a suburban backdrop, she slowly discovers who
will accept her orientation with
62
Icurve
~
Girltrash/:Behold the timeless story of Bonnie . ~<(.
and ... Connie? Best friends and literal partners in crime, Tyler (Michelle
Lombardo) and Daisy (Lisa Rieffel)
find themselves between a rock and a
hard place when a gang war complicates
their already edgy lifestyle. Girltrash!
also stars the _legendary Margaret Cho,
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as well as Amber Benson, Rose Rollins,
Clementine Ford and several other gay gal
faves. It's a must-see if you love a little criminal
element in heels. (girltrashonline.com)
The Loversand FriendsShow: With an
entirely African American and Latina cast,
this show features one group in the LGBT
community that is too often overlooked:
lesbians of color. Lovers takes the characters
through the typical drama-filled barrage of
romantic issues and it has sex appeal to boot.
Two things that make this series stand out:
the exploration of a newbie lesbian, Lisa
(Kendall Starr) and the cocky butchie Dre
(Shakelia Tharpe) who evokes Queen Latifah
ala Set It Off. (insyteproductions.com)
Apples: No need to brush up on your
clerk discovers she is the only one in the
universe who has a hope of rescuing the
time-space continuum, from the elite group
abusing it. Drysdale must stop them and
while she may not be a Van Damme-style
badass, Drysdale certainly wields power over
ladies of any decade. (afterellen.com/video/
timetravelinglesbian)
Espanol in order to watch this internovela;
translated webisodes are available on
YouTube. Following the lives of a group of
hot lesbian students, Apples has a feel similar
to Friends because of the setti~g. The co-eds
all live in the same building and are constantly
in each other's homes, but the results are
Far Out.Dubbed the lesbian Queer As Folk,
a lot dirtier. We're talking orgies, people.
( apples.scl 0.co.uk)
the United Kingdom's first-ever lesbian web
series, Far Out, captures the sexual triumphs,
relationship woes and dating follies of a pack
of London lovelies in the club scene. In the
first webisode, Grace (Wendy Allan) musters
the courage to tap a strange woman on the
shoulder and tell her she wants to meet her
because she looks interesting ... not like all
"pretty girls:• Oops. (farouttv.co.uk)
te
Feed:Director Mel Robertson delivers this
edgy and chilling critique on mainstream
media. When Maura (Amanda Deibert)
stumbles upon a brutal attack, her gut
instinct is not to phone for help, but to point
and shoot with her most powerful weapon: her
video camera. Maura finds herself dubbed a
"media vigilante" after she posts the attack
on a video-streaming site, and her troubles
only escalate from there. (afterellen.com)
ChicaBuscaChica(Girl Meets Girl):This
sexy award-winning series from Spain
is a parade of scoundrels, both gay and
straight. The needy Monica (Cristina
Pons) thinks it is perfectly sensible to
allow a sultry bartender to move into her
apartment after their first date, her best
friend Carmen (Sandra Collantes) urges
he~ to come to her senses despite her own
qoyfriend's serial infidelity. A must-watch
drama fest. (veoh.com) ■
TheTimeTraveling
Lesbian:
Comic Rebecca
Drysdale plays herself in this silly but wickedawesome series.in which a jaded video rental
curve
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Fertility and life is the rose. the sublime blossom.
the womb from which all enter the world.
Embrace your magnificent feminine self.
Enjoy family.
Enjoy life.
www femtnlneprinciples.com
. March 2010 j 63
...
WELOVE
TOPTENREASONS
RenitaMartin
This theater luminary makes an impact onstage and off.
By Stephanie Schroeder
1. She'scommittedto the arts and to youth.
After being in the arts scene for almost two
decades, she is absolutely committed to helping
others-especially youth-learn, grow, create
and recognize their own artistic potential.
Martin
7. She givesbackto the community.
founded Write to Life, an organization that
supplies books, pens, pencils and paper to
children in India and West Africa. "What's
the point of going to school if there are no
supplies?" asks Martin, rhetorically. "When
kids beg in India and Africa, they ask for
pencils and paper, not money or food. They
are starved for learning:' She also works with
underprivileged youth at Inside Broadway, a
down.
her
keep
brother
big
let
3. Shedoesn't
non-profit children's theater company.
airport
the
at
searched
and
Being detained
who
artist,
the
for
is a regular occurrence
8. She'snot a goodsororitygirl. In her solo
says her skin color and sexuality, along with
Step Sistah, Martin tackles the sexy
play,
offenders
juvenile
working with drug users,
of stepping (a tradition among African
roots
suspect.
particularly
and prisoners make her
sororities and fraternities),
American
governBut Martin doesn't let discriminatory
the internalized racism and
with
along
experiences
uses
ments stop her. Instead, she
in those same institutions. At
homophobia
like this to fuel her artistic flames.
the end of her performance, the audience
4. She'swickedsmart.With a Bachelor of is given the "brown paper bag" test-a test
historically used by upper-class blacks to
Arts in African and African America studies
decide if a black person was light skinned
Fine
from Boston University and a Master of
enough to be accepted. If your skin was
she
Arts in playwriting from Brandeis, where
darker than a brown paper bag, you weren't
was the only woman of color in the program,
Martin has academic street cred. She says in. This practice was commonly used by
black sororities and fraternities.
she's also a graduate of the prestigious School
of Hard Knocks-which is where she really
9. Art is her day job. Martin pays her rent
learned to create, give back and give thanks.
teaching arts to youth, while continuing to
5. She'sspirituallyevolved.Though she was write and perform regularly. She has worked
raised in Mississippi by a religious family, with •such luminaries like Clinton Turner
Davis, who directed Step Sistah, and Angelina
Martin shuns organized religion and the
homophobia, racism, sexism and exclusivity Fiordellisi, the founder and artistic director
often associated with it. "Traditional reli- of Cherry Lane Theatre.
gion separates gays and lesbians from God
10. She'scomingto a theaternearyou.Blue
and divinity and makes that unavailable to
Fire on the Water, a musical about blues
us by telling us 'God hates you: This is the
musicians and the city of New Orleans
inverse of what God's love is supposed to
before, during and after Hurricane Katrina ~g
be;' she argues.
will be at the Theater Offensive in Boston in U::
~
6. Shelivesby example.'Tm out wherever I November 2011. ■
2. She'san out black lesbianwho worksat
a Catholicgirl's school.Martin directs the
choir at a local Catholic high school. She's
the "resident lesbian;' and her door is open
to queer and questioning students in a place
that might not otherwise be as accepting of
their sexual identities.
Renita Martin, the founder and
director of Rhythm Visions
Production Company, Inc., is
dedicated to bringing a full menu
of professional productions
and arts education programs
to communities of color around
the globe. Martin is a playwright,
solo performer, musician, actor
and arts educator, as well as
a teacher who works with
everyone from private clients
to juvenile ex-offenders and
prisoners. Martin pushes the
envelope in her writing and·
performing by challenging
stereotypes about race, class
and sexuality-even, perhaps
especially, in communities
of color.
64
Icurve
am, and I am sure my relationship to both
• my sexuality and my spirituality is something bigger than me and is what people see
that makes them accept me;' says Martin.
Take
a break
where
anything
goes.
VisitLasVegas.com/gaytravel
See all items with this value
-
5 European Escapes
Guiding Light's Crystal Chappell/
Goes
Sci-Fi's Sexy New
. Sapphic on
Stargate Universe
INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE
Do More
Lesbians
Have Eating
Disorders?
CURVEMAG.COM
03
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25274 80539 6
MARCH 2010 VOLUME 20#2
' l]
• Inappropriate
Question
With
Rachel
Maddow
Features MARCH2010
26
Stargate Universe Goes Gay
44
Do More Lesbians Have
Eating Disorders?
Ming-Na plays a sexy sci-fi lesbian, boldly
going where no lez has gone before.
By Laurie K. Schenden
Why our community needs to know
the risks. By Sheryl Kay
32
36
38
39
47
48
49
50
52
54
55
5 GreatDestinations
Playing in Prague
There's a lot to love about this Bohemian
city. By Alison Peters
Seeing Scandinavia
A lesbian tour of Copenhagen and Malmo.
By Stephanie Schroeder
More to Manchester
Gay Pride across the pond. By Kathy Beige
California Dreams
Palm Springs parties and SoCal sailing.
By Diane Anderson-Minshall & Jennifer Corday
LiteraryLesbos
Livin' la Vida Lesbo
Myriam Gurba's sensual stories have
us hooked. By Sheela Lambert
Sarah Schulman's Cultural Crisis
The literary agitator is back.
By Kristin A. Smith
A Passage from India
Mina! Hajratwala's story of migration.
By Catherine Plato
Canadian Voices, eh?
Three of our favorite lesbian writers
from up north. By Nairne Holtz
Ghost Stories with Sarah Waters
One-on-one with the British literary sensation.
By Rachel Beebe
page
Miami Heat
32\
She's the author of an "Indian Lord of the
Flies" and we can't get enough of Abha
Dawesar. By Nairne Holtz
~a:
::,
Cuban author Mayra Lazara Dole gets Down
to the Bone. By Sheela Lambert
American Masala
Fun with
Danish dames
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PHOTO
COVER
21
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CD
BEING AHEAD OF YOUR TIME IS NEVER EASY. That's why one of our core values is to respect
all people and value their differences. That's being progressive. And as a company, we aim to live
up to our name. We were the first to do things like offer insurance online and the first to let you
compare rates just as easily. Because like you, we believe in change, especially when it's for the better.
See progress at progressive.com/glbt
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Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. 09P00116.D (04/09)
Departments MARCH201O
We've got just
one (slightly
inappropriate)
question for you,
Rachel Maddow
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IN EVERY ISSUE
A..11-
6 Frankly Speaking
7 Letters
8 Contributors
9 Scene
10 AstroGrrl
11 This Is What a Lesbian Looks Like
16 Open Studio
17 Out in Front
18 Lipstick & Dipstick
64 Top Ten Reasons We Love ...
20
Curvatures
Baxter's part of our family, Maddow takes
'em off, Dolly loves us, no news is sad
news and the buzz about coffee.
14
Health: Black women and breast cancer:
Money: Even the sky's not the limit: How
one lesbian broke NASA's glass ceiling.
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Dyke Drama
Chain wallets and rattails: Ah, the good ol'
days of lesbian life.
~
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24
Politics
Do we even need Women's History Month?
::,
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~
~
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58
Music: Sing along with the Noisettes,
60
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Books: Alix Dobkin and Lynn Breedlove
....J
Film: Documentaries by and about lesbians,
Wanda Sykes' new, out comedy and
Crystal Chappell (soap) dishes on Otalia.
62
~
<I'.
6
Nellie McKay and Laura Love.
trade mies for pens. Plus, memoirs from
new and establ_ishedqueer writers.
Celebrity Gossip
Lady Gaga's sexy secret, Rosie's big
announcement and remembering
lesbian heiress Casey Johnson.
-
What you need to know.
21
56
12
•-
Tech: Stream this: Our list of the hottest
lesbian web series.
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Read her
adventures
in Sapphic
seduction!
Cat Fights Never Looked So Good
Unabashed and lesbo-licious, Bitch Slap raised lezzie pulses
early this year when it hit the big screen. The '70s exploitation
throwback makes its way to DVD this-month, so check out our full
review of this sizzlingly Sapphic flick.
Queerie Bradshaw
Ever wish Carrie Bradshaw would suddenly confess she'd always
lusted after Miranda? While that hookup won't be happening
anytime soon, it's a very different story for curve's own urban
seductress, Queerie Bradshaw. Follow along as she biogs every
week about navigating lesbian single life, looking for romance and
bedding plenty of very lucky ladies.
How to Come Out in an Interview
Your family knows, your friends know-even your second grade
teacher knows-you're a big ol' lesbo. Even when you're as out
as can be in your personal life, when it comes to job interviews,
things can get awkward. Our helpful tips will make the job market
that much less painful.
A Dyke Rocker and a Famous Gender Bender
Rock star slash novelist JD Glass became the voice of post-riot
grrrl dykes with Punk Like Me and its 2008 sequel, Punk Like
Zen. She talks about her music, art and her latest cyberpunk
thriller. Meanwhile, indefatigable queer activist and gender bender
Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore dishes on her brilliantly sexy novel,
So Many Ways to Sleep Badly-about sex, friendship and loving
among the ruins of an assimilated, post-gay San Francisco.
To come out or
to not come out?
Read our tips
and ace that job
interview
I
March 201 O 5
FRANKLSPEAKI
Y
NG
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
MARCH 2010
I
LESBIAN MAGAZINE
VOLUME 20 NUMBER 2
Publisher and Founder Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
Editor in Chief Diane Anderson-Minshall
Managing Editor Kristin A. Smith
Associate Editor Rachel Beebe
Assistant Editor Rachel Shatto
Book Review Editor Rachel Pepper
Music Review Editor Margaret Coble
Contributing Editors Julia Bloch, Victoria A. Brownworth,
Gina Daggett, Sheryl Kay, Gretchen Lee, Stephanie Schroeder
Copy Editor Katherine Wright
EditorialAssistants Lisa Gunther, Sarah C. Jimenez, Stephanie Vernier
PUBLISHING
Senior Advertising Executive Diana L Berry
Advertising Sales Rivendell Media
Advertising Intern Alvin Tarn
Marketing Assistant Rose Tachis
ART
/PRODUCTION
Where No Woman Has Gone Before
I must admit that when I heard Syfy was going to have a lesbian on their
new series, Stargate Universe, I was totally thrilled. After all, I was a huge
fan of the network's Battlestar Galactica (and cannot wait for the spin-off,
Caprica. Go Starbuck!). Even more exciting was when I discovered that the
lesbian role on Stargate would be played by Ming- Na. I loved her in both
The Joy Luck Club and ER.
I've been so busy, I haven't gotten a chance to delve into Stargate yet (I'm
glad it comes out on DVD this month). After all, I watched all seasons
of Battlestar Galactica back-to-back on DVD. (That's just how I roll.)
Meanwhile, our resident sci-fi fan, assistant editor Rachel Shatto, is singing
Stargate Universe's praises each week in the office, and we hear rumors that
Ming-Na is helping improve Syfy's network responsibility ratings from
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Our amazing celebrity photographer, Brie Childers, explains that for our
exclusive photo shoot, Ming-Na was "very sweet and friendly on-set. She
was easy to talk to and had a very open personality. Nothing about her was
diva-esque:' Childers reports that Ming-Na spoke of how excited she was to
represent lesbians on television, saying that she thought the show was good
and edgy.
"She was very fun to photograph;' says Childers. "She was sweet enough
to let me push her into some sexy outfits and poses. She was really beautiful
and likeable with a very nice body. She seems like a great dinner datesmart, beautiful and easy to talk to:'
Turns out what you want in a great dinner date is what curve wants
in our celebrity cover girls: a smart, sexy chick who understands the
importance oflesbian visibility, now and for decades to come. Enjoy!
Art Director Stefanie Liang
Photo Editor Hayley McMillen
Production Manager Ondine Kilker
Production Artist Kelly Nuti
Web Producer Nikki Woelk
Photo Assistant Brenda Armendariz
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS
Jamie Anderson, Kathy Beige, Stacy Bias, Kelsy Chauvin, Bree
Clarke, Jennifer Corday, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Beren deMotier,
Ainsley Drew, Michele Fisher, Lauren Marie Fleming, Katrina Fox,
Tania Hammidi, Kathi lsserrnan, Gillian Kendall, Kate Lacey, Sheela
Lambert, Nina Lary, Charlene Lichtenstein, Karen Loftus, Sassafras
Lowrey, Candace Moore, Alison Peters, Catherine Plato, Aimsel
L. Ponti, Heather Robinson, Laurie K. Schenden, Lori Selke, Dave
Steinfeld, Edie Stull, Robin Miner-Swartz, Yana Tallon-Hicks, Kyra
Thomson, Jocelyn Voo, Alison Walkley, Melany Walters-Beck
CONTRIBUTING
ILLUSTRATORS
& PHOTOGRAPHERS
Paul Michael Aguilar, Erica Beckman, Brie Childers, Meagan
Cignoli, Cheryl Craig, JD Disalvatore, Tony Donaldson, Sophia
Hantzes, Cheryl Mazak, Maggie Parker, Elisa Shebaro, Leslie Van
Stelten, Katherine Streeter, Kina Williams, Misty Winter
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Phone (415) 863-6538 Fax (415) 863-1609
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Volume 20 Issue 2 Curve (ISSN 1087-867)() is published monthly (except for bimonthly
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a $25 surcharge. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA 94114 and at add~ional
mailing offices (USPS 0010-355). Contents of Curve Magazine may not be reproduced in any
manner, either whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher. Publication of
the name or photograph of any persons or organizations appearing, 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
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LEnERS
Sem
MO
THE
WANTE
Lesbianin
Hollyw
being sexuallyactivewith their
peers makes teens fair game
for adults. Just what planet is
Peoples living on? There is a
significant difference between
a minor's relationship with
a peer and an adult who is
a sexual predator. There is
never any justification for any
person in authority to engage
in a sexual relationship with a
minor.
- Joan M. Burda, attorney
at law, Lakewood, Ohio
Cover Controversy
I usually leave my curve magazine on the
coffee table because the covers are pretty good,
but not the December issue [Vol. 19 #10).
I prefer strong women who have minds of
their own on your cover. She is definitely not
the type of lesbian I admire or respect. I'm
so tired of the type of lesbian who is gay for
a hot minute because it suddenly seems cool.
Courtenay thinks Katy Perry made girl-ongirl cool? How sadly she is mistaken. Has she
even heard of the Indigo Girls or Ellen?
- Jessica,Champaign, fl.
A Label That Fits
I had never heard of the term "trans butch"
until I read the Kestryl Cael piece ["Stripping
the Layers of Identity;' curvemag.com). I have
been going through a transition in my life and
people ask me all the time what I am-butch
or trans man? I had· never fit in just one. If I
needed a label, then this would be it. It fits me
and when I speak it out loud I feel comfortable
in it. Thank you.
--:-Qnightstorm,via curvemag.com
The Hot for Teacher Debate
I cannot think of any reason why curve
J
c5 published the article "Hot for Student" [Vol.
fb.
appears to
13 19 #9). The author, Katie Peoples,
~ question why ~ny adult would be prosecuted
@ for engaging in a sexual relationship with a
N
minor, especially when the minor consents.
s2 The author is obviously oblivious to the
z
~ damage done by these "relationships" to the
~ minors involved. She seems to think that
S
Poll
What social network
do you use?
65%
Facebook
11%
I stillthinksocial
is a beer
networking
anda softballgame
9%
8%
3%
3%·
I do it all
MySpace
Twitter
I signedupto
but
something
don'trecallwhat
should be on your cover.
She has a very devoted fan
base. If you decide to print
this letter, be my guest. It's
about time I come out of
the closet!
- Fran McCartney, Staten
Island, N.Y.
Editor's Note: Fran, we
heard your call. We have a
Q&A with Chappell by our
resident soap expert, Jamey
Giddens on page 61. Check
out the extended interview at
curvemag.com.
I was thrilled to read Katie
People's article. The issue of
else
1% Something
likeNing
Corrections
teen lesbians in relationships
In our December issue [Vol.
poll
to a curvemag.com
According
with older lesbians is more
19 #10) artist Kestryl Cael
nuanced than the media
identified as "trans butch"
been
have
should
think
do
I
but
abuse
sex
against
allows: I am
are sold through
Tumblers
Hula
throughout;
too
punished
were
some of these women
will happen on
Generosititties
Vat19.com;
a
with
relationship
harshly for a consensual
V-Love was
time;
first
the
for
10
March
came
I
case,
my
In
nearly 18-year-old woman.
by Scout
directed
Scott,
Lucille
by
woman,
written
26-year-old
a
of
out under the wing
Guide
Gift
our
in
Zippie
the
Durwood;
birthday
who made me wait until my 18th
etsy.com/shop/guyincognito;
at
found
is
to be physically intimate. We were together
several years after that. I'm not saying it's Kimberly Dark is a "pop-sociologist;" and
totally right, but I am saying that when I was contributor Kelsy Chauvin's name is spelled
like chis. Oy!
17, I couldn't get enough of this woman and
did everything in my power to try to get her
in bed. I'd like to think I was hard to resist.
- Name Withheld, Portland, Ore.
Editor's Note: In no way does Peoplescondone
sex offenders, and we stand behind her rare
investigative look at lesbianschargedwith sex
crimes, the circumstancesbehind their actions
and the often sensationalized treatment they
receiveby the media.
We Want Otalia
Why haven't you ever mentioned "Otalia"
or Crystal Chappell in your magazine?
You do know about "Oralia;' right? You do
know about Chappell and her new gayfriendly web series Venice,right? If not, you
need to hire better people. Ms. Chappell
Sendlettersto:curve magazine
CA94103
1550BryantSt.,Ste.510 SanFrancisco,
AREIN
THEVOTES
We asked you to pick
your favorite cover
and Lea Delaria was
undoubtedly the
winner. We should
have known ...everyone's
a sucker for a hot, talented
lady with a drawn-on stache.
Congrats to reader Elle Sachs
whose spirited email told us
we "blew it." Keep your eyes
peeled for more curve contests
and hot prizes.
Servicesarenowavailableat
Subscriber
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March 2010
I7
CONTRIBUTORS
From the Editor
This issue is
jam-packed with
lesbian authors we
love, from Sarah
Waters (who did
a lovely sit-down
at her hotel with
associate editor
Rachel Beebe) to
Sarah Schulman
"In interviewing the group of Canadian writers for the authors
section, I wanted to really focus on their work, so I read or
reread two books by each person and tried to avoid asking standard
questions like 'Where do you get your ideas?' and 'How long
did it take you to write this novel?'" says contributing writer
NairneHoltzof her interviews with Lydia Kwa, Larissa Lai and
Zoe Whitall on pg. 50. "Immersing myself in their work was
enjoyable, but it was also a way of procrastinating on writing
my next book:' Holtz is the author of The Skin Beneath, which
won the Alice B. Award for Debut Lesbian Fiction, and This
One's Going to Last Forever (both at insomniacpress.com).
(whose Q&A with
managing editor Kristin A. Smith
was so good I lingered on every
word). But what impacted me
most was our article on queer
women and eating disorders. We
tackle a lot of tough issues-like
rape and suicide-in
curve, but
this one hit me hard. The heart
attack survivor in the article is
a friend of mine, though I didn't
"My dad asked me if I thought my fiance would feel threatened
by my working for a lesbian magazine;' says former editorial
assistant BrianaHernandez,
who penned "Brazen Bandwidth'' on
pg. 62. "I laughed-without taking into account. how much hot
lesbian media I was about to encounter. My man had his work
cut out for him:' Hernandez, a journalism graduate of San Jose
State University, had written her fair share of LGBT-focused
articles for the Spartan Daily when she joined curve. "I always
felt honored to be a voice for this community:' When not writing
for curve, Hernandez blogs on fashion, music and other pop
culture for examiner.com, 7x7 magazine and East Bay Express.
Cu
(.)
know her story before she sat
down with our reporter. Just
weeks after their interview,
another good friend of mine,
Angelina Malhotra-Singh, a
brilliant journalist who I worked •
with for years, died suddenly
of complications from anorexia
nervosa- a disease all her
friends knew she had, but were
at a loss for how to help her tackle.
Contributing editor and curvemag.com blogger Stephanie
Schroeder
is a dreamer, wanderer
and writer based in Brooklyn, N.Y. She likes to exchange apartments with artists and other
interesting folks from around the globe and travels in search of new
friends and experiences. "I get around;' says Schroeder, who wrote
about Copenhagen on pg. 36. "I travel because I like to get a fresh
perspective and keep things real. I also like to keep my relationship
with my girlfriend fresh. I think it's really important in a monogamous relationship to have something unique to offer and bring
to the community table. I'm all about having fun and, mostly, not
repeating bad old patterns:' Those are the types of topics she writes
about in her Hooked-Up blog-how to keep a long-term relationship fresh, fun and hot.
light on the subject. But, sadly, I
worry it's thousands more.
IJ1Ui
Diane Anderson-Minshall
Editor in Chief
~
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one lesbian a year, I'd want to shed
15
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Curvemag.com blogger LaurenLoGiudice
is an actor,
model, performance artist, writer, host, producer,
improv comedian and amateur che£ She's a native
New Yorker who likes to shake off the dust of the
outer boroughs and travel the world, living and
working in places as far-flung as India, Mexico and
Italy. Her blog focuses on the arts and culture of
New York City.
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March 2010
I9
ASTROGRRL
Conquer Your Destiny
Will you get what you want, or just what's coming to you?
By Charlene Lichtenstein
Pisces(Feb.20-March20)
Sex:You are sassy, brassy and ready to take on the
world. Well, maybe you should concentrate on one
woman at a time. The rest of the world will have to
wait. Career:
Are you working too hard with too small
a payoff? Take your time with certain job assignments
and, when you can, delegate.
Aries(March21-April20)
Sex:March can become a wet and wild ride for you.
Saddle up and see who you can lasso, hog-tie and
brand. Ride 'em cowgirl! Career:All work and no play
makes you very boring indeed. But don't try to spice
things up at work by sitting on the Xerox machine.
You never know who will ask for a copy.
Taurus(April21-May21}
PISCESPLAYERS Sex:Gal pals offer you some well-intention
ed love
Sugarandspiceandeverything advice. Will you take it in the spirit in which it is given
nice-that's whatPisceanbabes or completely ignore it? Let's guess. Career:You prefer
aremadeof.Theyexudesexuality to work from home this March, and
why not? Not
andcanuseit to theiradvantage only can you take a very long
lunch, but the afternoon
with haplessandna'ivelovergrrls. naps aren't half
bad either.
Thesegalsarenaturallygraceful
andmakeit a pointto masterthe
Gemin(May
i
22-June21}
art of lesbiansex.I thinkof them
Sex:Bold statements can sway her and capture her
as blackwidowspidersready
love. But if you make them over lunch, avoid the garlic
to snarean unsuspectinlittle
g
crouton
s. Career:You
can do no wrong and can charm
flygirl,butthis maybetoo harsh
the
meanes
t of corporate sharks. The executives in
a comparison.
Theyarenotevil
lady-killers.
Theyarejust naturally charge think you are an up-and-comer. Well, maybe
readyto sharetheirstickysweets they're right.
withalmostanyone.Butthey
expectromanticreciprocity
r
22-July23)
for Cance(June
theireffortsso
, pillowqueens Sex:You have your choice of exotic delicac
ies this
neednotapply,unlessof course March. How to choose
? How to choose? Will you
they'repayingfor theflavoredoil, bite off
more than you can chew? I guess that's the
champagne
andfirst class point. Career:
Money is as sweet as honey. Do what
ticketsto thetropics.
you have to do to woo the queen bee-fill your
hive with golden nectar and cause a buzz among
the drones.
AstrologerCharlene Leo(July24-Aug.23)
Uchtensteinis the Sex:Lionesses are too hot to handle
this March. Will
authorof Herscopes:you whip her up into a frenzy of desire
or fry her to
A Guideto Astrology a crisp? Cool is sometimes hotter than
hot. Career:
forLesbians.
Getmoreatthestany- You command center stage. All eyes
are on you. The
eye.com
orcheckoutherblogat crowd is waiting for great things.
Will you make the
thestanyeye.typepad.com. most of it or waste it on crass
self-promotion?
101curve
Virgo(Aug.24-Sept.23)
Sex:Will you lose your heart to a cheap and tawdry
tease? Oh, let's hope so. In fact, the cheaper and tawdrier the better! Career:Hidden forces on the job
will work to your advantage-after
a while. In the
meantime, keep your eyes and ears open and your
mouth seductively shut.
Libra(Sept.24-0ct. 23)
Sex:Let you-know-who know the what's-what of
how you feel. Who knows? She may just feel you
right back! What? When? Where? How? We certainly
know why! Career:You are brilliant and crafty this
March. Think hard-good
ideas will get you far at
work. A good friend in a high place couldn't hurt
your chances either.
Scorpio(Oct.24-Nov.22)
Sex:You find ways of getting noticed. Maybe it's
those hot pink peek-a-boo chaps you wear at the
club. Career:They think you can do no wrong. They
think all your ideas are charged and actionable.
Bosses just love you around the office. I wonder if
they have you confused with someone else.
Sagittarius
(Nov.23-0ec. 22)
Sex:Tum up the heat on any romantic opportunity. You
are full of fun, creativity and generosity. Although,
with your lofty promises of monogamy, you are also
full of something else. Career:Expect to travel for
work all through March. Time to make up some
assignments in warm, exotic climates.
Capricorn
(Dec.23-Jan.20)
Sex:Find your sordid amusements close to home
this March. Maybe you can invite some bosom
buddies over for a "team-building" exercise. Hmm.
Career:Someone with power over you might try to
overpower you. Wait a few days before deciding to
make love-or war.
Aquarius(Jan.21-Feb.19)
Sex:You know just what to say to get what you
want. Pour on the sugar liberally. Maybe she will
ask you to lick it off. Career:A business partnership
may need a boost of energy to take it to the next
level. This is great as long as the next level is not
a pothole. ■
~
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__at__
ure
LGBT News Sources Close Their Doors
Last year was a tough one for LGBT media.
Window Media-the
conglomerate that
owned several LGBT newspapers, including
the WashingtonBlade,the SouthFloridaBlade
and Southern Voice-filed for bankruptcy
last November. Like many other companies
that have fallen victim to the ailing economy,
Window Media was once considered too big
to fail. The closure came as a shock to both
the readers and employees of the company's
highly regarded publications.
Window Media's oldest newspaper, the
Washington Blade, had the second-largest
circulation of any gay newspaper nationwide. More than 23,000 readers and 250,000
monthly online viewers relied on the paper's
reporting and editorials concerning the gay
community of Washington, D.C. and the
surrounding area.
The Blade began as an underground
publication and a labor of love for the
editor, Nancy Tucker, who mimeographed
and distributed it herself in its early years.
In 2001, the Blade was bought by Window
Media, where it continued to grow. Blade
reporters held front row seats at several
White House press conferences in the years
before the paper's demise. Prior to closing,
the newspaper had just celebrated its 40th
anniversary.
After the closure, the staff of the Blade
immediately began planning to start an
employee-owned paper under a different
name-the DC Agenda. When asked how
the DC Agenda will differ from the Blade,
publisher Lynne Brown stated, "We are the
people who brought you the Blade every
week-professional
journalists, photographers, graphic and creative folks as well
as an advertising department staffed with
great people. We will honor our past and
our Blade roots by continuing to chronicle
the lives, issues and struggles of the LGBT
community:'
The Atlanta-based Southern Voice also
dosed its doors. The primary news source for
gay Atlanta and the entire Southeast, Southern
Voicehad been in print for over 20 years.
Like the former Blade staff, employees of the
Southern Voicealso plan to keep publishing
through independent efforts. They've started
a new paper called the GA Voice.
Unfortunately, Window Media has not
been the only LGBT news source to suffer
financial troubles. The Advocate, a public.ation with more than 175,000 readers,
announced last October that it would be
implementing massive layoffs and reduce its
80-page newsmagazine to a 32-page, Mylarbagged supplement to Out magazine.
Paul Coli ch man, the CEO of Here Media,
which owns The Advocate and Out, stated
in a press release that "the recent closure of
(other] magazines have shown the weaknesses of the print publication model. The
rising costs of paper, printing and postage
have become a major problem:'
The Advocate, like the Washington Blade,
started as a small local publication. In 1967,
the magazine was simply a Los Angeles area
newsletter for the gay community. In its more
than· 40 years of publication, The Advocate
grew to be one of the most well-recognized
and well-read gay news sources. The newsmagazine was among the first LGBT news
sources to conduct interviews with highlevel politicians, including Hillary Clinton.
In the current political climate-with so
many important LGBT issues in the headlines-the loss of these media sources will
be felt even more acutely. [LisaGunther]
OK, talk show host Rachel Maddow, everyone is talking
about your funky specs, which leads me to ask: Under what
circumstances do you ... um ...
remove your glasses?
MADDOW:I take off
my glassesanytime
I have a place to put
them and I'm 10 feet
or less from the thing
I'm trying to see.
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Looking for a new place to live with lots
the
of lovely ladies? GayRealEstate.com,
estate
real
LGBT
online
world's largest
network, recently announced the top five
cities for LGBT folks: New
York, Miami, San Francisco,
Seattle and Atlanta ... If
your new city requires a car,
you might want to think
about supporting General
(People Like
The company's PLUS
Motors.
US) affinity group just won an "Outie"
Workplace
award from the Out& Equal
GM is the first automaker
Advocates.
to ever be awarded LGBT Employee
Resource Group of the Year... It seems
like almost every lesbian is concerned
about the environment, and a recent poll
from Harris Interactive backs this truism
up. The study found that two-thirds of
LGBT adults are concerned about the
planet for future generations. Our straight
counterparts were somewhat less
concerned ... Everyone loves Dolly,
and DollyPartonloves us, too.
In a recent interview, the
country music legend was
asked if she supported
gay marriage, to which she
responded, "Sure, why can't
they get married? They should
suffer like the rest of us do': .. It's the end
of an era at the lesbian website AfterEllen.
com.After nearly eight years at the helm,
editor in chief SarahWarnhas announced
that she will be stepping down ... A high
school in Alabama threatened to cancel its
prom because a lesbian-identified student
who was part of the planning committee asked the principal for permission to
bring her girlfriend. She was also asked
to remove a sticker she was wearing that
said, "I am a lesbian:' The ACLU worked
with the student and her guardian to
appeal the decision and the principal and
school board have since reversed it ... Pro£
Stephen Scott, the director of research
AcademyforParenting
at the National
Practitioners,told members of Demos, a
U.K.-based think tank, that"lesbians make
better parents than a man and a woman:'
His statement is based on research from
a study done by Clark University and
Birkbeck College. [SassafrasLowrey]
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I 13
LESBOFILE
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Lady Gaga'slittlesecret, Rosie'slady and a reality1V love. By Jocelyn
Voo
In Memoriam
to make other multiple-gendered people feel came clean. In fact,
on her radio show,
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of their house two years 8
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Gaga's manager denied the rumors, telling after the guest of the day,
a pet psychic, asked ~
ABC News, "This is completely ridiculous:•
who cared for O'Donnell's pet Chihuahua.
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Pop singer Lady Gaga has never been one And now she's allegedly
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reports that she's come out as intersex, too.
so you start to look elsewhere;' she told Now adoptive mother of six.
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our vags. I think this is a great opportunity
when pressed by USA Today, O'Donnell
America? Not when we're around. ■
~
Just weeks after announcing her engagement
to reality TV star Tila Tequila, Johnson &
Johnson heiress Casey Johnson was found
dead in her Los Angeles home. Johnson, a
longtime on-again, off-again girlfriend to
Courtenay Semel, was 30 years old. In the
weeks that followed, Tequila blamed prescription medication for Johnson's untimely death
but her own strange behavior led others to
wonder what dn.\gs she was on. Johnson's final
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OPENSTUDIO
Retrospective (clockwise from
left): The artist with her piece
bearings #18; American Device
#45; American Device #31;
Rachel Maddow with gallery
owner TJ Walton at Mikula's
opening in Provincetown, Mass.
Art and Artifact
Photographer Susan Mikula uses tools from the past to make art for today.
By Cheryl Mazak
When you hear the name Susan Mikula, it always seems
to be paired with the celebrity of her partner, MSNBC
news anchor Rachel Maddow. But Mikula deserves
recognition in her own right-she
is a photographer
whose work has been shown in galleries in New York,
Massachusetts and currently at the George Lawson
Gallery in San Francisco.
Unlike most contemporary photographers who rely
on the latest technology, Mikula has chosen to go back
in time, using antiquated techniques and tools like pinhole cameras and Polaroid film to create her pieces. Thus,
her work, in addition to having an ethereal quality also
serves as a retrospective of photographic methods.
Whatis yourartisticprocesslike?
I'm very slow. There's no other way to put it. I think about
it for a very long time ... not as a specific piece as much as
what I want overall. Not what will the final result
be, but how I feel. I also think about the mechanics
of it-what kind of camera I would use, what kind
of film. And then, when it's time to take the pictures
it happens fast.
WhydoesusingPolaroid
film appealto you?
It has something to do with there being a great
democratization of photography. It was the second
time that photography was made available to ordinary people. The first was with tintype photography.
So, I'm actually learning wet plate collodian photography
and hopefully my Polaroid film will hold out until I actually learn how to do that.
There'ssomethingwonderfulabout goingback in time,
something
so romanticaboutusingthosematerials.
There's nothing made by hand anymore. Some of my
early work was coated with homemade varnishes that I
made. I was kind of amazed at how much I liked that
stuff. I liked putting a coating on those pieces ... because
I was trying to put those pieces out without glass and I
wanted them to be somewhat protected, but in the end it
became a very important part of the work.
Whydoyoupreferblurrinesto
s crispness?
My world is the biggest opposite you could have from
black and white, in terms of crispness, and I am happy
with that. I feel like how I get to see things is a gift.
Is thereanyaspectof yourart that is self-portraiture?
It definitely comes from that place. It's a little bit about
who I am in the world, but also I really see things chat
way. One net result of having a partner who's very
visible is that people feel very free to email me. What's
interesting about that is that although a lot of people email
me things that I'm sure they intend to be mean, they are
actually kind of true. I've read, "If this is how you see the
world then you need glasses:• And I think, this is how I
see the world. It's exactly how I see the world, and I am
so happy with that. ■
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OUTINFRONT
PoliticalPowerhouses
Three women fighting for truth, safety and community. By Sheryl Kay
WithoutDiscrimination
Education
Fifteen years ago, Debra Dake made a
commitment to herself to change the world.
She had just completed evaluating a stack of
questionnaires filled out by social workers
attending a Santa Clara County, Cali£,
resource fair in support ofLGBT youth. The
responses were shockingly homophobic.
"People quoting the Bible, telling us we
were sick, suggesting that all gay people be
locked away in San Francisco, and the most
chilling of all responses simply read, 'Kill
them all; " recalls Dake. "These were people
charged with helping our kids and families:'
Dake went on to become a founding member
of the South Bay Safe Schools Program.
Then, after Matthew Shepard's murder,
Dake led an initiative to have social workers
connect directly with local schools to support
LGBT students. She also helped develop a
comprehensive LGBT guide for schools,
assisted in interventions when schools were
not being supportive of queer students and
worked to get legislation passed to protect
LGBTyouth.
"Until we are woven into the very fabric
of the American social infrastructure-our
schools, marriage, faith-based institutionsour children will continue to feel isolated,
marginalized and expendable;' notes Dake.
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Leader
FromMeltingPotto Community
Her parents fled Cuba for Miami at the start
of the Ca.stro regime, making Miriam"Mimi"
Planasthe first American-born member of
her family. Eleven years later, her father died
leaving her mom to raise two children alone
in a foreign culture with few professional or
language skills.
"I learned at a very early age that we must
work hard to get ahead;' says Planas."! learned
responsibility and enjoyed being a part of the
solution to our difficult situation:'
As a lifetime resident of District 10 in
Miami, Planas has spent years working
with several rehabilitation cen,ters, including
Here's Help, Agape Women's Center and
Coral Reef Hospital, organizing support
for women in drug recovery programs. On
top of all that, Planas is also running for
County Commissioner in her district in the
November election.
"I have been a resident of this district for
over 35 years;' Planas says."My son will grow
up in the same district, and I want it to be a
safe place for him, a prosperous community,
a home he can be proud of:'
The media have been quick to attach the
"lesbian mom" label when referring to her
early on by poet-activists like Audre Lorde,
Adrienne Rich and Minnie Bruce Pratt.
Although her first love poem was to her cat
Vanessa, Olson quickly moved on to more
complex subject matter, like questioning the
powers that be.
"Fight for what you believe, in whatever
capacity feels powerful for you. Be compassionate with one another, laugh and empower
each other;' says Olson, who is also working on
a Ph.D in political theory with an emphasis on
gender and rhetoric and has plans to research
a book on the women of the anti-war group,
Code Pink.
Olson says she's proud of the great strides
the LGBT community has made in the past
10 years, noting the grassroots elements of
the movement-the LGBT groups on college
campuses, indie artists, zines, listservs,
blogs, local and national protests-all have
contributed to furthering !=ivilrights for the
MightierThanthe Sword
Some fight battles with artillery, others with community. "Of course, there is still work to
marches and protest signs. For poet Alix be done in terms of general and specific equal
protection under the law;' says Olson, "but I
Olson,it's all about language.
Born to a family of politically active think a balance of struggle and celebration is
required to keep the momentum going:' ■
writers and teachers, Olson was influenced
candidacy, and while that's just one way to
describe Planas, she says she's OK with it.
"I am a lesbian and I'm out and perfectly
6.ne with it;' she says."The truth of the matter
is that being a lesbian ... it's only part of who I
am. I am proud of who I am-mom, activist,
lesbian, caretaker, employee, friend, advisor,
sponsor, etc.-they all make up who I am:'
March 2010
I 17
ADVICELipstick & Dipstick
How to Jump-Start Your Lezzie Life
DearLipstickandDipstick:A li~le overa year
ago,I hadmyfirstrelationship
witha girl.I was
19 and awayfrom my Mormonfamilyfor the
first time. It wasn't somethingI planned,but
I justtotallyfell for this girl.Wedatedfor four
monthsand thenshe dumpedme. Sometime
has passedand now I just want to havefun
and explorewho I am. I just turned21 and
I
havenoideawhereto goor whatto doto meet
girls.I'm not sure how exactlyI got into my
first relationship,
it just kindof happenedand
,
I don'tthinkthat'sgoingto happenagain.Also
,
I guessI'm a "femme"and everyonealways
thinksI'm straight,andthenwhenI tell peop
le,
theythinkI mustbe bi. It's beena toughroad
,
but I'm proudthat I'm figuringout who I am
andwhoI wantto be. I just wantto findother
lesbiansto date,but I haveno ideawhereto
start!- Wishingin Washington
Lipstick:Like you, I remember being frantic
to jump-start my gay life back in the day.
And, like you, I am constantly faced with
people assuming I'm straight. (It happened
at two different readings during our Lipstick
& Dipstick book tour!) Beyond people's
foolish assumptions, the bigger issue here is
that you don't know how to get your lesbian
party started. If only there was a lesbian
handbook, a guide that taught you things
like don't move in on the second date, keep
your fingernails trimmed and don't try female
ejaculation on your first night together.
Maybe we'll write one. For now, immerse
yourself in all things homolicious-join
a
lesbian choir, a softball team, a lezzie readin
g
group. Whatever your interests are, surely
in the nearest big city there is a group of
dykes getting together in its honor. Once
you begin making friends, it will seem as if
a
dam has broken and you'll soon know more
lesbians than you can shake a vibrating stick
at. After all, everyone's connected.
Dipstick:And everyone's slept with everyone!
It's so refreshing to hear you say you simpl
y
want to start dating and aren't focused on
settling down. So many ~ewbies attach
themselves to the first available female and
1s
Icurve
settle into monotonous monogamy. Boring.
You've got the right idea ... have fun! Throw
yourself into the big lesbian beach party
and don't stop until you've hooked up with
at least three girls, pissed off two ex-lovers
and danced the Macarena in the nude.
Where to start? Where you live. Does the
cute girl at the coffee shop have a "woman"
symbol tattoo? Ask for her phone number.
Is that a rainbow flag sticker on your neigh
bor's car? Go knock on her door. Hit up
a
lesbian nightclub. Have friends introduce
you around. Ask your gay hairdresser for
a
hookup. Go on a lesbian cruise. This is
a
delicious time in your life. Enjoy it!
DearLipstickandDipstick:I starteddatingmy
bestfriendSarahaboutsix monthsago.I am
18 and she is 22 and we both live at home.Our
parentsare reallygoodfriends.Whenshecame
out to my mom, she asked us not to tell her
parentsor anyone.Sheis a missionaryand her
parentsareveryreligious.Beinga lesbianwould
not fly with them at all. My momsupportedher,
but not whenshefoundout about"us." Mymom
told herparents,whotriedto hinderourcommuni-
cation.Theydid not succeed.We continued
to
date,butthenallofa sudden
Sarahquittalkingto
me.I knowshedidn'tlosethosefeelings.
Doyou
thinkherparentsfoundoutwe'restilltalking?
Whatdo I do to get her back?- MissingMy
Missionary
Lipstick:Judas! Your mom is a traitor, but
not unlike most parents, who are cool until
the thing they're cool about involves you! The
sad fact here is that you both live under your
parents' roofs and therefore have to conform
to their rules (even if they are all acting like
A-holes). My advice is to figure out how to
get in touch with Sarah, even if it means doing
something sneaky.Throw rocks at her window,
slip a note under her windshield, wait in the
bushes outside her work (warning: That last
suggestion could get you arrested). Her parents
are super-controlling, so I'd forgo email. Try
Facebook or MySpace. You need to find out
if her parents have completely poisoned the
water. Odds are they haven't and she's just
as desperate to reach out, but is stymied by
their damned-to-a-fiery-hell shock and awe
tactics. If you can confirm that she does still
~
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OUT
WEMADEWHENCOMING
MISTAKES
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thechoppy
whennavigating
wemakemistakes
outof theclosetisn'teasyandoftentimes
Coming
theirstraightskin.
andDipstickmadewhenshedding
s''
waters.Herearesome"oopsy-daisieLipstick
LIPSTICK DIPSTICK
by listening Threwoutall myRollingStonesT-shirtsand
myeardrums
Damaged
theywere"misogynistic"
to the IndigoGirlstooloudly albumsbecause
Oia'9*""'"'-~~
Join the Fastest Growing
Lesbian Dating Site!
Mary's TurnedtheT in mynameintoa "woman"
AtetoomanyHamburger
that'swherethe hotgirlswere) symbol
(because
Movedin with mygirlfriendwhen Quittheswimteamto watchmygirlfriend's
we werestill in thecloset fieldhockeygames
Didn'tweara brain myfirst PrideParade Woremynew"Every
by a SuperSoaker DykeIs a Hero"T-shirt
(I wasassaulted
dinner
andhadona whitetanktop!) to Thanksgiving
Wentto GayBingoeverySunday Letmygirlfnendcut
untilI wontheGinsuknifeset myhairwithclippers
love you, you've got just one question to ask
yourself: Which suitcase will you take when
you run away?
Dipstick:Sorry, Lipstick, but these girls
just aren't ready. Sarah can't stand up to her
parents when she herself believes in fire and
brimstone. She's not ready for a grown-up
lesbian relationship. And, sadly, that could
mean she may never be. Sarah has to battle
Bible verses as well as her parents first, and
those are two wars that can rage on for years.
Focus on being a friend (she's going to need
it) and put your romantic energy elsewhere.
Trust me on this one.
Did you try the DFZ (double finger
Dipstick:
If
zinger)? so, I don't know what to tell you
besides this is one obstacle that can't be overcome-unless she's drunk all the time and
you learn another miracle lesbian technique
that's going to satisfy her. Like I always say,
you can't have two catchers on a so&ball team.
Someone has to pitch. Or in your case, pick
up the bat. Keep talking about how bad you
are at sex and you'll continue to have bad sex.
I don't think you can change what turns you
on or off, but you can choose a partner who
will satisfy you. Time to move on.
my big turn-off is trying to have sex with
~z someonewho doesn't seem interested.
w
::r:
. seem to be on
I need participationWe
~ oppositesidesof the worldin this respect.
<(
15
:J
I won't even tell you how few times she's
Otn
F.ind your true match!
Upload:
actuallytouchedme. Howcan we bridgeour
sexualgap?- Sub-Zero
seeing
I amcurrently
andDipstick:
DearLipstick
a womanwhohasonlyeverbeenwithmen,and Lipstick:Sub-Zero, how about the Angry
hasmostlybeenthat_girlwhojustletsthe guy Alligator? Still no dice? Like Donald
Trump and Rosie O'Donnell, some of us
s
do his thing.We'vehad conversationabout
howwe'vebothneverbeengoodat initiating are just not meant to be together. If the
sex,so our sex life is practicallynonexistent sex is really this bad, I predict you'll be on
unlessshe getsreallydrunkand tacklesme. to your next conquest by the time this issue
Thensheexpectsmeto "domything,"likeI'm hits newsstands. Yo~ can only stare at the
goingto havesomemiraclelesbiantechnique ceiling for so long. Sexual chemistry is the
that's goingto rock her world.Shejust lies key to a romantic relationship and it cannot
there and doesn'treally participate,which be forced-it's either there or it's painfully
frustratesbothof usandusuallyturnsintoher not. Don't hang up your harness or ignore
just doingher ownthingand me lyingon the what tickles your tootsie. Dump the dead
other side of the bed trying not to distract her. weight and find a lover who will give a girl
5 Her big turn.:on is being dominated, whereas what she deserves. ■
~
It's FREEto Join
Tune in to curvemag.com/lipstickanddipstickto watch The Lipstick
& Dipstick Show. Or, write to
tv@lipstickdipstick.com.
.
Photos
Music
Videos
lnstant Message
Chat-Rooms
Video Chat
Send Greetings
E-mail Members
~otrsJ
~r-iendrst
Rate ~hotos
Register for
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www.shedate.com
ADVICEHealth
Why it Matters if You're
Black or White
What black women need to know about
breast cancer. By Alison Peters
"We die more;' Valerie Rochester states
bluntly. As the director of the Program for
the Breast Cancer Initiative at the Black
Women's Health Imperative, a nonprofit
education, advocacy, research and leadership
development group focusing on health issues
that disproportionately affect black women,
Rochester is in the middle of a year-long
grant study, the Breast Cancer Leadership
Initiative, and, because of the seriousness of
the issue, she does not mince words.
"The incidence rate is still low, but black
women have a higher mortality.rate, and we're
being diagnosed with breast cancer at younger
ages. It's normally diagnosed in women in
their 40s, 50s; were being diagnosed in our
20s, 30s. And it's more invasive-it spreads
quicker, it's harder to treat and it's in advanced
stages when diagnosed:'
Even more alarming are these statistics:
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed form of cancer among black women
and the second leading cause of death overall.
And while black women are less likely to get
breast cancer, they have a 35 percent higher
death rate than white women, and are more
likely to die of breast cancer than women of
other races. How can this be?
20
Icurve
Rochester's study sought to
understand the reasons behind
the disparities in breast cancer
among black women, finding,
among other things, that factors
contributing to the high mortality
rates include poverty and lack
of access to health care, racial
discrimination (black women are
more likely to receive disparate
care and experience inadequate
communication about abnormal
mammograms),
genetics
and
obesity. However, some of the
responsibility lies with us as a
culture and community, which is
where the Leadership Initiative
is focusing its efforts.
"One of the things we've found is that
there's still a stigma attached to breast
cancer for black women. Identity and selfimage perception are tied up in our body
image. By having breast cancer, some
women feel that their bodies have failed,
they feel shame, embarrassment;' Rochester
explains. All of this can lead women to skip
The Facts
Black women diagnosed with breast
cancer are 35 percent more likely to
die than their white counterparts.
On average, there is a one-in-eight
chance that a woman will develop
breast cancer during her lifetime.
Breast cancer is the leading cause
of cancer-related death in
women ages 15 to 54.
health appointments for fear of hearing bad
news, and make them reluctant to share a
positive diagnosis with friends or even close
family.Women may also opt out of potentially
lifesaving procedures like mastectomies.
Rochester stresses that community and
family need to play a bigger role in black
women's healthy lives."The emotional factors
are so critical in ensuring better outcomes;'
she emphasizes. "Going with the women to
appointments, additional follow-ups ... not
having that support contr_ibutes to poorer
outcomes and higher mortality rates:'
And sometimes, reluctance to underg~
treatment is about more than a fear of what the
body might look like afterward. 'Theres an old
wives'tale;' Rochester says,"a belief that a body
has to be whole in order to be accepted into
heaven. It's something that's still very prevalent
in the black community. We need our bodies
to be whole when we cross over:'
But early detection can begin immediately.
"We recommend every woman become
familiar with their own body. We think it's
very important for women to feel comfortable
touching and examining their breasts-if you
don't feel comfortable you won't get mammography screens and let someone else do clinical
screens. And you're the only one who can convey to a provider what you feel and what might
be wrong with your own body:'
Rochester cautions that physicians may try
to talk black women out of going for further
screenings, not being aware that black women
have different screening time frames."Women
under 35 might be told that [a lump] is a calcification, not cancerous, because they're not
in the most at-risk age:' But don't let that deter
you from getting the screenings and care you
might need. The Leadership Initiative provides tips for approaching providers, getting
the care you need and seeking out advice from
support or survivor groups.
"We're looking at how women in communities can advocate for services like increased
access to mammographies for younger
6
women;' Rochester says, "We have a right to ~
a provider who listens to us, hears what we ffi
z
have to say and will work with us in order to 5
CI:
address our concerns. Don't let a provider tell ::E
you what you should or should not be doing ~...J
0
with your own body:' ■
~
Money ADVICE
It Really Is Rocket Science
Stephanie Stilson broke the glass ceiling at NASA. By Edie Stull
Stephanie Stilson was in the third grade
when she told her father she wanted to work
for NASA. "I had always been interested
in space;' she says. "I can remember having
a mobile of the planets strung across my
bedroom and I was always interested in
magazine articles about space:'
Stilson's third grade pronouncement came .
true in 1989 when she became a NASA intern
, while at North Carolina State University,
working at Kennedy Space Center for part of
the year and attending school the other. She
graduated with bachelor's degrees in both
electrical and computer engineering and
later earned a master's in engineet;ingmanagement and an MBA from the University of
Fl(?rida. In 1995, she became a full-time
NASA employee.
Today, Stilson is a NASA flow director at
Kennedy Space Center, a job tide that had
previously been held exclusively by men. "I
oversee all of the work effort that it takes to
get space shuttle Discovery ready to fly its
next mission;' Stilson explains.
Stilson grew up in Ft. Myers, Fla., where
a high school counselor recognized her
proficiency in science and math and suggested
she pursue engineering, although at the time,
there were few female engineers. "I never
thought about it until I got to college-in many
of my courses I would be the only female:'
Despite being named the first female flow
director in 2006, Stilson says she never gave
much thought to the fact that she was breaking
a glass ceiling as a woman. At first, she says
she struggled more with being out in a mostly
straight, conservative workforce. "When I
graduated from college and came here to
work full time, I was with a man who I eventually married, so many people knew me as
z
o
~
~
z
~
ffi
~
w
~
(.)
~
more out in the last couple of years because
I am getting more into activism:'
A meeting with a new boss was a seminal
moment for Stilson-she was asked to share
something about her family, but didn't.
"I just basically said that I lived on my
own and afterward I f~lt terrible, almost
sick to my stomach, because I felt like a
coward that I didn't talk about my girlfriend
and my home life. My director at the time
didn't know that I was gay and we since have
talked about it, and I explained to her how I
felt uncomfortable by the way she asked the
question. Although she didn't mean it that
way, it came across very heterosexual:'
Does Stilson worry that being out could
be career limiting? "I struggled with that at
one point in time;' she says. "I have friends
and co-workers that don't come out because
they are fearful of that. It's both male and
a married woman:'
Realizing she was gay brought new chal- female, but I see it more with the men.
lenges. "I was leaving my husband to be with That's one of the things I am trying to help
with ... to make them feel more confident.
a woman, and, of course, that was talked
about quite a bit across the workforce very People who know me know I am gay and
my senior management knows that I'm gay,
quickly. But I don't let myself get wrapped
up in that. It has actually been a very easy so I'm hoping that I can alleviate some of
their fears and concerns:' ■
experience for me, and I really have become
FORWOMANKIND
GIANTLEAPS
BySarahC.Jimenez
1999:
EileenCollinsis thefirstwoman
a spaceshuttle
to command
1994:
ChiakiMukaiis thefirst
womanin space
Japanese
1993:
EllenOchoaisthefirst
womanin space
Hispanic
1992:
Dr.MaeJemisonis thefirstAfrican
womanto walkin space
American
is the
Savitskaya
to walkin space
first
andKalnyriullivanis thefirst
to walkin space
American
is
Tereshkova
Valentina
thefirstwomanin space
March 2010 j 21
DYKE
DRAMA
The Good Old Da s
Remembering militant dykes, chain smoking and dating before F~cebook. By Michele
Fisher
Sometimes it seems like centuries have
passed since I got this gig with curve,
and other times-like when I'm at the local
lezzie bar watching two baby dykes with
their hands all over each other-it
seems
like it was just yesterday that I walked
past A Different Light Bookstore in San
Francisco's Castro district and spied a sign
in the front window seeking contributors
for a new lesbian magazine.
I am happy to report that two decades
later, the bookstore and I are both still in
the Castro, curve is still the best lesbian
magazine ever and being a dyke is just as
interesting as it was in the '80s.
I hope I don't come off like a stale old fart,
but I am, admittedly, a little overwhelmed
with nostalgia as I sit down to write this
column and pause to consider a few things
about our community that I am going to
miss when they are gone for good.
Like lying. Technology is making lying
obsolete. GPS (girlfriend positioning system)
is pushing prevarication to the wayside.
When I was a baby dyke, if I wanted
to ditch a girl for a night, all I had to say
was that I didn't have a quarter (no, not a
dime, I'm not that old) for the pay phone or
couldn't find one. Kids these days can't lie
for squat because the GPS on their phones
will give them away. Some clever girls have
told me that they have multiple phones, but
that sounds too expensive and confusing. If
I was a hustler today I just wouldn't have a
cell phone. That way, nobody could trace my
call history, peek at my texts or follow me
around remotely.
But perhaps the young'uns today are more
truthful than we were. Except for those rascals
with the multiple cell phones, of course.
Since lyingjust isn't an option anymore, we
are more likely to tell the women we are
seeing exactly where they stand. I for one do
not want to be on the receiving end of that
kind of honesty, so I am glad to be off the
market in this age of absolute truth.
I hate to keep picking on progress, but
here I go again. Thanks to tweeting, blogging
221curve
and posting, the average teenager produces
the equivalent of a novel every month. I
have been writing this column for 20 years,
but that is all the written evidence I've left
behind. If I'd had the opportunity to blog
and post as a youngster, I think I would have
died of embarrassment at some point in my
30s. I can't. stand to look at old pictures of
myself. How did I get my hair that high? Is
that a poncho I'm wearing? Well, words ·can
be the same way.
I hate it when a woman uses my own
words against me; my defense is usually to
clai.m that I've been misquoted. But if the
girl is reading from a column I wrote, there
ain't nothing I can do about it except claim
that I was high when I wrote it or that I have
'grown'' since then.
I also miss nicotine. Boo and hiss all you
want, I loved smoking. I haven't touched a
cigarette in more than eight years and I know
that it's all over for me and the Marlboro man,
but it's a relationship I often miss. Tobacco
used to be a big a part of the gay community.
If you were gay, you smoked, and if you were
a nonsmoker, you kept that unpleasant little
a:
~LJ.J
a:
tn
LJ.J
z
a:
LJ.J
:c
~
detail to yourself. Cigarettes were the biggest killer of queers until AIDS came along.
Then we all realized that we were paying
the tobacco companies for the privilege of
kicking our own buckets and decided to go
on a health kick. Yeah, yeah, I know all that.
But I still miss smoking.
And while we're at it, where have all
the militant lesbians gone? Sister Womyn
Warrior, where ~re you today, with your
anger at the male-dominated world and
your crew cut with the rattail in back?
There was a correlation between the length
of your tail and the amount of anger you
expressed. I used to see you all over town,
wearing your camouflage shorts and your
purple tank top, railing against injustice
in the bulk foods section of the health food
store. (And what happened to health food
stores? I miss them, too.) Did we all just give
up anger? I'm still mad, but I am not about to
wear anything that makes my butt look even
bigger than it is.
I miss the concept of finding the perfect
woman ... amongst the limited choices at
hand. These days, we really do expect to find
the perfect woman, because we can log on to
the web and meet every lezzie on the planet. partners. Of course, my least favorite part of
In my day, you settled for what you could get. being gay was trying to get away from those
Compatibility wasn't even a consideration. It same women, but it kept me busy. Enjoy your
didn't matter if you were clean and sober and perfectly matched bliss, ladies, but you really
don't know what you're missing.
she was the town drunk. If you two hooked
And lastly, I miss lesbian television. No,
be.
to
meant
was
it
club,
the
at
night
up one
Kate & Allie, I mean The L Word and
not
.
her,
with
slept
you
somebody,
met
you
When
And whilewe're at it, where haveall the militant
lesbiansgone?SisterWomynWarrior,whereare
you today,with yourangerat the male-dominated
worldand yourcrew cut withthe rattailin the back?
moved in with her, stopped sleeping with her,
went to couples counseling with her (or had
an affair-or both), broke up with her and
then made friends with her-in that order.
Today, we do a complete background check
on a woman before we're even willing to
commit to having a nonfat soy latte with her.
Where is the adventure in that? My favorite
part of being gay was making all kinds of
inappropriate choices when it came to sexual
Queer as Folk,which are already tiny specks
in our rearview mirrors. I want more! I hope
by the time you read this we have a new show
to watch, and I hope it is not set in a prison.
(I'm sorry, but I don't dig sex scenes on bunk
beds and girls making goo-goo eyes over
slop on institutional trays). Perhaps the new
show could be a clever sitcom about the inner
workings of a (lesbian) magazine alajust Shoot
Me.Just Lick Me sounds like a good title. ■
POLITICS
A Question of Relevance
Do we really need to celebrate Women's History Month
anymore? By Victoria A. Brownworth
leading numerous important battles in the
Hundred Years'War and also with driving the
English out of Rheims-the
traditional site
, of the crowning of the kings of France-in
order to make the city safe for the coronation
of :£SingCharles VIL
St. Joan was captured in a battle, turned
over to an ecclesiastical court and burned at
the stake as a heretic. (Incidentally, the ecclesiastical record shows that she also refused
to wear women's clothes.) After St. Joan's
death,. the legend surrounding her grew
so dramatically that although the Church
killed her and Charles did nothing to stop it,
both the king and the Church were forced
to reinvent her as a saint, a martyr and a
national hero. She was that powerful.
In St. Joan I see a model for living with
integrity and purpose. Today, women are
still forced to take a stand to challenge
the authority of men. Last November, for
instance, when health care reform was being
debated hotly and heavily, the Women's
Caucus in the House of Representatives
was shouted down by male Republican
Congressmen who refused to allow the
female representatives to speak about how
the bill would benefit women.
The debacle on the House floor is just
one example of how women are still being
silenced-in democracies as well as dictatorships and theocracies. In the United States,
women are presented as a fringe or special
interest group, when in reality we are the
majority.
When the Stupak Amendment-named
for its primary
supporter,
Michigan
Representative Bart Stupak-was
added
to the House health care reform bill in the
We don't hear much about Women's History
founded the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery
Month anymore. For example, in Philadelphia,
Society and \_Vas
one of the women who linked
where I live, the local TV stations run daily the first wave of feminism with abolitionism.
spots celebrating famous African Americans
Two women I discovered in grade school
throughout February for Black History
are also good examples of the feminists we
Month. Less well-known celebrations, like should be celebrating in March-Elizabeth
Puerto Rican Month or Polish American
Blackwell and St. Joan of Arc.
Month, also get media notice; Philadelphia
Blackwell was the first female doctor in
has large Puerto Rican and Polish American
the United States. The travails she endured
communities. So, why not give over some to become a physician and to help
airtime to Women's History Month?
other women become doctors
If we find that we cannot get
Women represent 51 percent of the were monumental. Her desire to
American population and they contributed. practice medicine was sparked through a door, then we should
dramatically to Philadelphia's history, when it when a dying friend explained
was the first capital of the United States. I've that if she had a female doctor, create our own space, where the
discussed the work of one of these women, she would have suffered less.
doors are always open to us.
Abigail Adams (wife of the second president
Indeed, Blackwell never wavered
of the United States, John Adams) in this in her determination to stand up to the social final
hour of debate, women were silenced
column before, but there are plenty of other
conventions restricting women in her day.
once again. This contentious amendment
pioneering women who deserve attention
The ranks of women deserving recognition circumvents Roe v. Wade and places severe
this month.
stretch much further back, though. Those restrictions on the abortions that could be
Lucretia Mott is one. In the early 1800s, who are not Catholic may know of Joan of offered
through a public health care option, as
she was a leader of the abolitionist movement, Arc only tangentially, but she is one of the five well
as through private insurance purchased
of which Philadelphia was a vital center. Mott
patron saints of France. She is credited with using government subsidies.
24
Icurve
Even progressive men argued that the
abortion battle wasn't worth fighting as part
of health care reform. But if the lives of more
than half the population aren't worth fighting
for, what is?
In our web-based society, social issues have
a short shelf life. Our interest wanes easily.
We claim "compassion fatigue:' We tire of
people who demand equality. Isn't feminism
"over"? Haven't we moved on? Why, in the
21st century, do we need to celebrate Women's
History Month?
Because we can't become a postfeminist
society if women are still earning threequarters of what men make, rape is still
one of the most prevalent violent crimes
and discrimination on the job and in many
aspects of daily life are all socially and
culturally accepted.
Girls need strong, positive role models.
From toddlerhood, they are bombarded by
media images of women that are as fake as
they are misogynistic. By the time girls are
old enough to play with dolls, Barbie has
become their role model. It doesn't matter
that Barbie can now be a doctor, a teacher
or a veterinarian. Her main purpose in life
is still to wear trendy clothes and look pretty.
She has a pink car and a Malibu dream house.
w
_J
0
I
::>
~
w
_J
w
z
She's not real.
The glass ceiling isn't often glass, but something far less permeable, something we cannot
even see through, let alone break. As unequal
members of society, the struggles we face are
immense. Thus, we must gird ourselves for
battle, as St. Joan did. If we find that, like Dr.
Blackwell, we cannot get through a door, then
we should create our own space, where the
doors are always open to us.
Every day, locally, nationally and internationally, women are creating change that is
altering their communities, their countries
and the world. If we do not record and recount
those achievements, they will be lost. Lesbian
, activist Del Martin said, "Nothing was ever
accomplished by hiding in a dark corner:' We
have to shine a light on ourselves and our
accomplishments. Really, we should celebrate
our achievements every month of the year, but
March has been set aside specifically to do so.
Make it happen. Demand accountability from
your communities and local media. Demand
our
that the stories of our foremothers-and
r5 own voices-are heard.
South African Struggle
Living in Gugulethu, South Africa is not
easy. Crime and poverty plague the
area. For Ndumie Funda, however, it is
particularly difficult. Funda is a black
lesbian living in one of the larger townships of the Western Cape province.
South Africa is experiencing
increasing levels of violence against
black lesbian and bisexual women.
Over the last three years there have
been five high-profile incidents of
murder and rape, and yet, there has
been no condemnation of these hate
crimes by political leaders at any level
of government.
"I am prepared to die for my rights,
up until the last drop of my blood,"
Funda vows, and there is a very real
possibility that she will. In March
2008 she established Luleki Sizwe, an
organization that provides support
and resources specifically for black
lesbians and bisexual women within
the townships.
Luleki Sizwe is a Xhosa name that
pays tribute to two ~lack queer women
who lost their lives in the townships:
Luleki was a leading lesbian activist
who was raped by her own cousin.
Sizwe was Funda's fiancee, who was
also an activist involved in mobilizing
the lesbian community. She was gang
raped by five men at gunpoint because
of her sexuality. Both Luleki and Sizwe
contracted HIV as a result of being
raped and both later died from AIDSrelated illnesses.
While many LGBT organizations
provide services and outreach, most
of them are based in urban centers,
rather than in the communities where
most of the violence is taking place.
Luleki Sizwe is the only organization
specifically dedicated to supporting
queer black township women.
When Funda decided to address the
problems faced by queer women within
her community, she knew it would be
difficult. She left her job in marketing
and the monthly salary that accompanied it. The organization has no official
source of funding and cannot pay any
of the seven volunteers who serve as its
staff. It is run out of Funda's own home,
a small bungalow that she rents.
Funda confronts atrocities on a daily
basis. South Africa suffers from an
epidemic of rape and queer women
are often targeted, yet she perseveres.
"Because it's my passion and it's my
dream, I know one day we'll make it,"
she says.
In 1996, South Africa became the
first country to include the rights of
gays and lesbians in its constitution.
Transgender rights were added later
and the country has also legalized
same-sex marriage. This legal
standing, along with the country's
stunning natural beauty, Mediterranean
climate and plentiful beaches, draws
queer tourists to South Africa each year.
But, though Gugulethu is only 12
miles from Cape Town, the country's
second most populous city, it feels
like it is on another planet. Because
lesbians in the townships live outside
the major tourist centers, the unjust
realities of their existence often remain
hidden and progressive legislation
cannot in itself change culturally
condoned injustices.
Yet, Funda remains motivated.
"Changing the negative perception
that people have got towards the
LGBTwomen, that's the ... thing that
I would love to achieve, and I'm so
fighting to change," she says.
[MeghanDavidsonLadly)
■
March 2010
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Photos by Brie Childers
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11111111
hen·rumors began surfacing that Stargate Universe, the latest entry into the
hugely popular Stargate franchise, would include a lesbian character, sci-fi dykes
- ...
everywhere cheered in geeky anticipation. When it was officially announced that
not only was the Sapphic scuttlebutt true, but that the role would be filled by
•• •• veteran actor and all-around knockout Ming-Na, they sprinted to their DVRs faster
than you can say "warp-speed." In her on-screen tenure, Ming-Na has racked up plenty of
feminist cred as Dr. Jing-Mei Chen on ER and as the voice of the gender-defiant warrior in
Disney's Mu/an. She is also an entertainment icon for the (woefully underrepresented) Asian
community with her prominent role in The Joy Luck Club and as the first contract actor on
a daytime series in As the World Turns (1988). But it is her latest role, on Syfy's Stargate
Universe, as the openly lesbian IOA officer Camile Wray, that has solidified this stunning
trailblazer's place as a bona fide lesbian fave.
Unlike her character, the often stoic Camile, Ming- Na (whose
full name is Ming-Na Wen, but who dropped the Wen for
professional purposes) is full of energy. She has an easy and
animated laugh and a personality that fills the room, which
is impressive, considering that she's almost 2,000 miles away,
phoning from the Stargateset in Vancouver, Canada.
Her induction onto Stargate Universe,season one of which
is now on DVD, has been a celestial coup for lesbian fans of
the space adventure series. Not only does she play the first gay
character in the 15-year history of the Stargatefranchise, but
she continues to be a pioneer in the entertainment industry, as
the first Asian American actor to play a lesbian character on
network or basic cable TV.
The latest chapter in the Stargate saga finds Ming-Na's
character among a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians
who become marooned on an ancient spaceship in deep space
when an attack on their off-planet stronghold forces them
through a stargate. To complicate matters, the ship, Destiny,
has been set to autopilot and, having drifted through space for
millennia, is now in serious disrepair. Unable to return home,
the accidental crew is left with no alternative but to find a way
to survive in the distant recesses of space.
In addition to struggling to survive with limited resources,
the crew has to cope with the reality that they most likely will
never see Earth-and all that they have left behind-again.
In Camile's case, that includes her part_ner of 12 years. It's this
emphasis on exploring the characters' internal struggle that
sets the series apart from the typical space shoot-em-up fare
and makes it a compelling watch for lesbian fans.
"When I first signed on to be Camile Wray, it was expressed
to me that she would be a pivotal character amongst the military
and the civilians, and that she was a strong character but very
Makeup and
hair by Steve
Sollitto with
Magnet. Styling
by Sne Patel
with Exclusive
Artists
March 2010
I 27
complex;' says Ming- Na. "Being a sci-fi fan, I was excited that
the creators, Brad Wright and Bob Cooper, wanted to take it
in this other direction, where it was more serious and more
character-driven. That's the whole wonderful thing about
sci-fi... the storytelling:'
What wasn't part of the original script Ming-Na signed
on for, though, was the fact that Camile is a lesbian. "I was
reading [the script] and Camile mentions Sharon;' she says,
with the first of many eruptions of laughter, recounting how
she discovered Camile's lesbian partner. "I went to Brad [and
asked],'Who's Sharon?'"
• The creators had decided that the newest season of their
sci-fi adventure would explore new territory, a decision
•prompted in part by the failing grade they received from
GLAAD in the 2009 Network Responsibility Index. Syfy's
executive vice-president, Mark Stern, said in a statement,
"We are disappointed, obviously .... The 'F' is hard because
we are trying, it is something that is in our vocabulary. But
we need to work harder:'
Stern promised additional LGBT characters on the network's Battlestar Galacticaspin-off Caprica,adding, "In both
the SGU and Caprica examples, the character's sexuality is
merely one facet of who they are. It is not about, 'Oh, look,
isn't that progressive, that this person is gay?' No, they are
simply gay. There is no commentary necessary. And that's
what we're striving for, to make it a naturalistic thing:'
Ming-Na was more than happy to take on the groundbreaking role."! was excited because I'd never played a lesbian
before;' she says. "It was a brand-new challenge, and I thought
it would really color certain things she does and her vulnerabilities that she has:'
But did the straight actor realize that her latest role would
make her a darling to legions of lesbian sci-fi geeks? "I find it
really funny that I'm being asked more [about] playing a gay
character ... but it's a nice change from being asked about [in
a chirpy voice], 'Oh, what's it like to be an Asian American
actress?' [Laughs] 'What are the hardships of being an Asian
American actress?''Do you feel Asian American actresses are
being represented in the media?' It's kind of nice to be asked
other questions:'
Ming-Na was born in China and her family moved to a
mostly white section of Pittsburg, Penn., when she was young.
She says she grew up knowing what it's like to be different.
"Those feelings and those life experiences, I can definitely
bring those elements to. the character without trying to manufacture it:'
As a mother of two, she works hard to teach her children
to have pride in who they are. "For me, growing up, coming to
America at a young age and not speaking the language, and
then my parents moving to a very white suburban neighborhood ... it had a major impact on my life. Feelings of, Gosh, I
wish I wasn't Chinese sometimes, and I wish I would just fit
in. I think for them, they don't have any of that. I just want
them to be proud that they're Chinese and that it's just something not to_be ashamed of:'
28
Icurve
Ming-Na grew up working in her family's restaurant, the
Chinatown Inn in Pittsburg, which her brother still runs. He
jokes on the restaurant's website that Ming-Na was a terrible
waitress.
"He's just jealous;' she says with a laugh. "I was a very good
waitress:'
Ming-Na's breakout role came in The Joy Luck Club, an
epic ensemble film about four Chinese American daughters
and their immigrant mothers. She played a strong character
who didn't recognize her own strength. "I love playing parts
like that, because that's sort of my own personal journey in so
many ways;' she says.''A lot of times I can doubt my abilities or I
have issues with how I look and, you know, issues of fitting in
·and belonging. I'm a sci-fi geek, I was the smart girl, I was the
only Asian in a very white community, just a lot of 'do I really
belong?' issues. I love playing parts where those elements are
explored in a character, because I can explore that as well:'
The Stargatescript didn't reveal much about Camile's home
life with her partner, played by Reiko Aylesworth, because the
first 20 episodes focus on the castaway crew's survival aboard
the ancient ship Destiny. The last-minute decision to make
Camile a lesbian left Ming-Na and Aylesworth to come up
with the backstory of their characters' relationship. They
started putting it together the day they met, on the ride to the
set the first morning they worked together.
"I think because Reiko is such a professional, and because I've
had so much television experience where a lot of times this sort
of situation happens. When suddenly you meet two people and
they're, like, your parents, that you've had a long history with,
and you have to make that happen;' laughs Ming-Na.
"Luckily, Reiko and I just immediately clicked. And we just
[had] that language about our relationship. We both have a
similar sense of humor and sensibilities, and I think what
bonded us together is, this is the first time either of us has
played a gay character:'
The two actors discussed how Camile and Sharon met, as
well as why Camile, as Ming-Na decided, was a late bloomer.
"Without giving away the story line, the audience will see
that with Camile that there's definitely issues with her
parents;' she says. ''And I just feel that her aspirations and
what she's trying to achieve, it just made sense to me that
[the realization she is gay] was just something that occurred
to her later in life:'
Ming-Na based her portrayal on a friend who came out
later as well. "When Camile met Sharon and fell in love with
her;' the actor explains, "that's what gave her the opportunity
to recognize that she was suppressing who she was. I really ~
wanted to get into the head of Camile ... as well as, when you ~0
do have this amazing self-discovery, how that impacts your ~
life as a person and then how you rdate to other people and ~...J
how you see people. So I got really wonderful advice from my UJ
[gay] friends, who made me realize that one of the biggest ~
UJ
Cl
changes is your social environment:'
...J
I
Before the show ~ven premiered, however, a fervent gay 0
UJ
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11
II
love scenes involving Camile were with men, not women."That
was a lot of stuff taken out of context;' explains Ming-Na.
The confusion came from a plot device in which the
stranded crew communicates with people back home
through the use of ancient mystical stones that allow their
consciousness to be temporarily transplanted into the body
of another. The hubbub was about rumors that Camile's
consciousness would be placed in a male body-leading to
key intimate scenes between the two lovers being shown as
heterosexual. However, all the fuss was unwarranted. In the
ninth episode, Camile returns home, in the body of a female
soldier, not a male one.
"What I did love, and found really astounding, was the
passion of the gay community;' Ming-Na says. "Not putting
down my own community of Asians and Asian Americans,
[but] I wish we had that much of a passion and love for
being represented properly. But that was really a wonderful
thing to see:'
Ming-Na says she recognizes the responsibilities that come
with the part. "I am really confident that it will be done right;'
she says, and credits John Lenic, one of the Stargatefranchise's
producers, and an openly gay man, with keeping the story line
in check.
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"I don't think the fans will have to worry, because that
background story of hers will be explored in a really beautiful way. I was very challenged and loved those scenes so
much. I really thoroughly enjoyed playing Camile when she
is reunited with her partner. So I think that those elements
will be touched upon.
"I hope the gay community loves Camile as much as I do;'
says Ming-Na."! really think that the writers and my producers
are extremely respectful and want to have ~ great gay character
as part of the show and have her being represented well. That's
my goal. I'm just really proud. What people hopefully will take
away with them is that this truly is a loving couple:' ■
1
TUS LESBIAN
LANDMARMS
When Ming-Na was cast as a lesbian IOA
officer in Syfy'sStargate Universe it was
a small step for the actor but a giant leap
for TV lesbiankind.The advent of her
character,Camile Wray, marks the first
time therehas been a regularlyappearing
Asian Americanlesbiancharacter on
a primetimeor basic cable programa breakthroughin lesbianvisibilityon
television.While Ming-Na is busy blazing
lezzie trails in a galaxy far, far away, we
take a look back to celebrate some of the
seminalsmall-screenSapphic firsts.
DAYmlEGOES
GAY:
All My
Children's Dr. Lynn Carson
(Donna Pescow) became
the first recurring lesbian
character on a daytime
program in 1983.
RAISlll6PIRSES:Primetime gets its first
lezzie, nurse Deborah (Debra Jane
Mitchell), in 1988, on the otherwise forgettable medical drama Heartbeat.
PUCKER
UP:L.A. Law was responsible for
two things: making lawyers sexy and the
first lesbian kiss on network television,
when C.J. (Amanda Donohoe) laid one on
a female co-worker, in 1991.
LESBIAN
DNERSRY:
Lesbian women of
color made their first appearance on
network TV on Courthouse. The show
only lasted one season, but we got two
African American lesbians, Rosetta Reide
(Jenifer Lewis) and Danni (Cree Summer),
in 1995.
HERECOME
THEBRIDES:
Along with a diehard fan base, the "Smelly Cat" song
and the Rachel haircut, Friends also
boasts the first gay gal nuptials. In 1996,
Carol (Ross' ex) and Susan were wed
in a beautiful, touching ceremony-and
hideous hats.
YEP,SHE'SGAY:In the infamous "Puppy"
episode of the hit series Ellen, the thencloseted character Ellen DeGeneres
came out-followed shortly by the actor
herself on the cover of Time. This bold
move in 1997 made the series the first
network show to center around a lesbian
character.
LMN' LAVIDALESBO:
In 2001, ER's Dr.
Kerry Weaver (Laura Innes) got herself
a saucy Latina lover, firefighter Sandy
Lopez (Lisa Vidal), TV's first recurring
Latina lesbian.
GOOD
COP,GAY
COP:HBO's The Wire boasts
the first Asian America recurring lesbian
character on TV. The striking Sonja Sohn,
who played the no-nonsense detective
Shakima "Kima" Greggs (beginning in
2002), is African American and Korean.
WICCA
SEXY:Buffy the Vampire Slayer's
beloved witch Willow finally got freaky
on-screen with her special lady, the
slayer Kennedy (lyari Limon) in the 2003
episode "Touched," which contains
network television's first-ever lesbian
love scene.
OH,MARINA:
The L Word was a landmark
show when it premiered in 2004. It was
the first TV series centered on lesbian
and bisexual women, but it also included
the first Native American actor to play a
recurring lesbian character on TV, Karina
Lombard as Marina Ferrer.
LATE-NIGHT
LESBO:
Actor and comic
Wanda Sykes became the first African
American lesbian to
host a late night-talk
show, when The
Wanda Sykes Show
premiered in 2009.
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All over Prague (clockwise
from top): A view of the Old
Town Square; the Prague
Astronomical Clock; a canal
off the Vltava River, St. Vrtus
Cathedral at night
32
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HundredBySpires
City of afor everyone
Alison Peters
in Prague.
Finding something
The train pulled into a dark station high above the sleepy city. Four travelers disembarkedthree Americans, one Aussie-all with separate quests to fulfill, ranging from seeing the
cathedral, sampling the local food, sightseeing lazily and shopping. No one would leave
disappointed.
The journey had already been like something out of a novel. As the train glided through
Germany by way of Belgium it made an unexpected stop. The carriages were nestled between
tall evergreens overlooking a quiet river when grim looking police boarded, clearly searching
for someone. A young man was led off the train, sh.outing angrily, prompting the travelers to
procure papers and passports to prove our passage.
We awoke the morning after our arrival to a fairy tale city with snow, white and crunchy,
blanketing the bridges and the Vltava River rushing steadily below. The stone guardians
on the Gothic Charles Bridge watched us as we left our snug hostel and crossed into Old
Town Square.
Before our arrival we'd done our research, and this is what lured us: a city merging old and
new, Christian and Jewish, Baroque and Gothic, Bohemian and European. Prague is one of
those queer places where returning tra~elers can still advise you to visit "before the tourists
completely take over;' while, conversely, the city boasts of its rank as the sixth most-visited in
Europe. It's also one of the few places in the world where same-sex partnerships are legal and
you can walk comfortably hand-in-hand with your girlfriend down cobblestone streets. An
important cultural center, Prague became the capital of the newly formed Czech Republic in
1993 when the former Czechoslovakia divided.
Old Town Square, an early feudal marketplace, is one of the most-photographed and wellknown sights in the city, hosting the gothic Tyn Cathedral as well as the fanciful Astronomical
Clock (also known as the Prague Orloj), a medieval multipurpose creation consisting of an
astronomical dial representing the positions of the Sun and Moon, the "Walk of the Apostles;'
a revolving musical box showcasing religious figures every hour from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and a
calendar dial with medallions representing each sign in the zodiac. The square also offers
respite from the city's meandering streets, and it's an excellent venue for a quick snowball
fight, particularly when the snow is keeping other travelers at bay and the locals are holed up
inside their great red-roofed flats.
of bread and cheese, roast pork with
Food was to be had, and plenty of it-smorgasbords
dumplings, sauerkraut, potato pancakes and delectable sweets served in inviting beer gardens
and cafes. With the exchange rate in our favor, our hungry troupe was able to try all the delicacies. A stopover in an empty-looking cafe near the Franz Kafka Museum proved especially
fortuitous when a posse of Italian women gymnasts decided to join us for libations and a bit
of rowdy entertainment.
Next on our list was busy Wenceslas Square, named after the patron saint of Bohemia. The
square, technically a wide boulevard lined with shops and bordered on the south by the grand
National Museum, leads to the boundary between Prague's New and Old Towns. Here, our
group stumbled across a tea house and stopped in for a cuppa. Lounging on chairs around a
low table we perused the menu and rang the little bell provided. When the waiter appeared we
partook of a steaming pot of Yogi tea, sweetly
accompanied by honey, cream and a feeling
so mellow I thought I'd found nirvana.
One of the last places we explored was also
the most grand and worthwhile destination of
the whole trip: Prague Castle. Exploring the
biggest ancient castle (according to Guinness
World Records) was a splendid, surreal allday affair that started in the surrounding
Hradcany Square. The mesmerizing exterior
of the Schwarzenberg Palace, also situated
on the square, is a masterpiece of sgr~to
painting. Translating literally to "scratched;'
sgraffitois a technique produced by applying
layers of plaster tinted in contrasting colors
to create an effect that resembles an M.C.
Escher print.
Prague is one of those
queer places where
returning travelers can
still advise you to visit
"before the tourists
completely take over,"
while, conversely, the
city boasts of its rank
as the sixth most
visited in Europe.
March 2010 j 33
While we were taking in the dizzying effects of the treatment, a group of uniformed guards
marched out in strict two-step, hea.ding straight for the castle. Curious, we followed
at a
distance, passing the Golden Lane with its miniature houses and miniscule gardens,
originally housing either castle gunners or alchemists favored by the royals, depending on who
you
ask. What is known for certain is that noted writer Franz Kafka worked in No. 22 in the
early
1900s. Today, it's a sweet blue house commemorated by a small plaque.
A tour of the castle itself includes visits to the cathedral, the basilica, the monastery,
the
gardens and several museums. The changing of the guards-always good for some fun
and
a photo shoot-takes place every hour until late at night, with a big to-do including fanfares
and flag exchanges at noon. If you are into baubles, be sure to take in the Czech crown jewels.
And finally, the castle is also wonderfully positioned to take in a view of the city and
count
the many spires of its nickname.
We made our final stop at a spiritual resting home of one of the musical greats: the Lennon
Wall. This tourist spot was formerly an "ordinary historic wall" but is now covered with
John
Lennon-inspired graffiti, lyrics from Beatles songs and messages of love. After leaving
our
own messages and snapping a few more photos we said one last goodbye to the dreamy
city,
hopped back on the steely train and headed home. The only question left unresolved: When
would we make it back? ■
Mezipatra, the annual
Czech LGBT Film
Festival, is held in
Prague. What began
as a small, independent
fest ival now attracts
more than 8,000
cinephiles. Many of the
Czech films make ·
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~JBESTtAmong major brands CSC
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Brands LP. College Inn is a registered trademark of Del Monte Foods. Butterball
•·····- PLACESTOWORK
2010 tor LGBT Equality
100
CORPORATE EQUALITY INDEX
yeast extract. © 2009
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Copenhagen & Malmii: Seeind Scandinavia
it's not just the tall,
Northern Europe has a lure all its own-and
busWblondes. By Stephanie Schroeder
After deplaning at Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport,
I was hit with the delicious smell of exotic
wood. I'm a freak for fine woodwork and Kastrup's
flooring, made of Padauk parquet blocks,
Merbau and Jatoba, is well crafted and beautiful.
I'd already had a taste of the quality of
Scandinavian design on my flight over with Scandi
navian Airlines, which was surprisingly
comfortable, filled with drinks in stylish glassware and
above,average airline food-they even
served the meal with real silverware.
Copenhagen is the sophisticated urban capital
of Denmark. From the famed Tivoli
Gardens and Parliamentary building to the Danish
Stock Exchange and the royal living
quarters, the city is steeped in medieval history. It
also boasts a modern opera house over,
looking the water, a new,ish school of architecture,
two museums of modern art and an
endless list of cultural attractions.
Out and About
My room at Hotel Twenty,seven was another examp
le of Scandinavian good taste-very
spare white square space with minimalist Danish design
that was built for comfort and util,
ity. I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready
to bike to meet my Danish friend Kris
for our Saturday of ad,hoc outings. I recommend renting
a city bicycle, which you can find at
various stands throughout the city. You simply slip
in a 20 kroner coin (approximately $3),
unlock your bicycle and you're off. There isn't a lot
of car traffic in Copenhagen, especially on
weekends, and there are plenty of separate city bike
paths.
Copenhagen's streets are a jumble of pavement and
cobblestone. The residential and com,
mercial areas are mixed and rows of different colored
buildings line the city's narrow streets.
There are many small squares where restaurants set
up their outdoor seating and people still
smoke. I had three small sandwiches from the popula
r smorgasbord restaurant Bof & Ost.
Smorgasbord is a typical way of dining in Denmark-cho
osing
a few small items from a wide
array of good eats.
From there, Kris and I boarded a city bus to Christi
ania, a "free community" where
36
Icurve
inhabitants live according to their own rules,
making their living growing and selling
organic produce, baked goods, serving eco,
meals and selling souvenirs to tourists.
Christiania
is in danger of losing
itself-in fact the community has already
been co,opted by an influx of curious
tourists (myself included, admittedly). The
local government is now in the process of
"normalizing" the area, meaning its radical
grassroots origin will be folded into the .
local mainstream landscape of expensive
real estate and a municipal land,grab. Kris
and I ate another meal worth mentioning
at the local greengrocer, which also has a ~
restaurant filled with organic vegan fare.
~
w
Gay Copenhagen
While I was in Copenhagen, the 2009 World
Outgames were in play, but I had left by
the time Copenhagen Pride rolled around a
week later. The Outgames were years in the
planning and have garnered quite a bit of
publicity, especially about the accompanying
International Human Rights Conference.
As a response to the commercialized
Outgames, an underground "Queer Festival"
~
~
o
-;t
z<(
~
cr:
~
~
~
~
~
~
0
~
Best Time to Go
_Traveling Tips
Always have some local currency
before you embark on your journey,
since you really never know what is
going to transpire upon your arrival. At
Copenhagen's Kastrup Airport and all
central city train stations, currency kiosks
are available for last minute money
exchange. Sweden accepts the Danish
Copenhagen's Freetown
for
bike
a
left);
(far
Christiania
kroner along with the Swedish kroner
hire; girls at Tivoli Gardens; the
(but not visa-versa). For maximum
waterfront in Malmo (top right),
Marsvinsholm Castle in Ystad
savings, purchase a Copenhagen Card
and a Malmo Card, good for free entry
sts, squatters, feminists, lesbians,
was organized. A gathering of radicals made up of anarchi
to many exhibitions, museums, free
ed some very cogent discussions
transpeople and other activists, the Queer Festival generat
public transportation and it gives you
about the exclusivity of various events.
di_scountsat restaurants and
at Copenhagen Center of deep
Lost and Found: Queerying the Archive, an exhibit
other sights, scenes and sounds of
by Jane Rowley and Louise
Contemporary Art, was an eye-opening experience. Curated
ndinavia.com is
d gender in its myriad, varied the area. Also, gosca
Wolthers, the pieces, arranged to form a narrative, explore
izing your
carefully applied mustaches and a great resource for custom
forms. A special performance by Heidi Lunabba, who
ture.
adven
n
of
anavia
Scand
women, who then sought reactions from the good citizens
beards to passersby-mainly
Other
the
called
tour
canal
special
a
on
went
also
I
event.
a highlight of
Copenhagen-was
t history in the city. The canals are a
Tour, with a pamphlet and narration based on feminis
fun and picturesque way to see Copenhagen.
Crossing the Border into Sweden
bags and headed to Sweden. The
After my weekend visit in Copenhagen, I packed my
Malmo, the third most populous
relatively new Oresund Bridge connects Copenhagen and
's Central Station where I jumped
city in Sweden. A 20-minute train ride landed me at Malmo
city, known as Skane, stopping
the
outside
side
country
into a car and drove directly into the
only for coffee at Svaneholm Castle.
base for one day and night. With
The small village of Ystad and its environs served as my
various points of interest along
at
stopped
I
pe,
landsca
a multitude of castles dotting the flat
herb farm. I lunched at Olof
r
kryddo
n
Osterle
and
the way: a fish smokery, the local beach
Viktors, a local bakery and popular lunch spot.
of the countryside, among the
Many bed and breakfasts can be found in the middle
refer to as "white gold:' I checked
wheat fields and rows of sugar beets-which the Swedes
at Karnelund, another bed and
into the Borregarden bed and breakfast and had dinner
male couples who were very friendly
breakfast, which has a restaurant. Both are run by gay
and accommodating.
many of which are championship
Skane boasts 75 golf courses within a three-mile radius,
crafts, antiques, herb and flower
and
g
clothin
de
handma
~ ranked. With its mix of arts, including
southeastern Swedish
n-the
Osterle
nts,
restaura
~ gardening and home baked goods and
is so flat that the
E countryside-is a fascinating study in mostly unexplored territory. The land
knew that there is pure white sandy
blue sky is three quarters of the panorama. And, who
view of the Baltic Sea?
perfect
a
with
Sweden
~ beach bordering the entire coast of
Once in Malmo, I lunched at Salt
~
s.
minute
45
y
leisurel
(/) The drive back to Malmo was a
~
8
& Brygga, an entirely organic restaurant on
the waterfront where expensive apartments
part of a living exhibiand condos-once
tion designed by several high profile Swedish
a~chitects-sit along the water.
I stayed in Old Town at Hotel Duxiana,
a luxury boutique hotel furnished with the
Duxiana brand of mattresses, linens, designer
lighting and furniture. Around the corner was
Bikram Yoga Malmo with classes scheduled
throughout the day for yogins like mysel£
Malmo is known as a fair trade city, with
sustainable development both realized and
in process. The town square is really two
combined areas, Stortorget and Lilla Torg.
Together they make up a bustling shopping
area and cultural center.
Among the collection of buildings, is the
Swedish Design Centre, complete with shops
that pay tribute to the unique arts and culture
of Sweden. It's a perfect reminder of all that
rve seen on my trip. ■
I
March 201 O 37
Pride Across the Pond
Manchester, England offers a welcome escape from the mainstream. By
Kathy Beige
I don't know whose idea it was to take a cocktail mixing class at 10:30 a.m.-1
don't normally lined with pubs, clubs and restaurants, many
drink before noon, and I rarely drink cocktails. But there I was, at Harvey Nichols,
an upscale with outdoor seating. There seemed to be
department store, sampling rum and vodka on the morning of the Manchest
er, England Gay about equal numbers of men and women.
Pride parade. After a few Dark & Stormies (rum, ginger beer, lime and a dash
of soda-yum!)
There are a few women's clubs worth menI found myself being ushered to the front of the parade, tipsy. Our group of visiting
Americans
tioning in the Village: Vanilla, a welcoming
had been invited to march with the Pride VIPs.
bar perfect for hanging out after work with
I was in a British industrial city, far from my home, and I was having one of
the best times a beer, and ~oyote's, which caters to a slightly
I've ever had at a gay pride event-and the alcohol was only a small part of
it. The people of younger, hipper crowd. Taurus, a mixed bar,
Manchester love their Gay Pride. In fact, Manchester Pride was voted "Best Event"
at the 2009 was the friendliest pub on the block, with a
Manchester Tourism Awards and "Best Pride Event" in the United Kingdom
by the national great diversity of patrons.
gay newspaper, Pink Paper.
During Pride week, the Village is packed
It seemed like the entire city came out to watch the festivities. The crowd ranged
from ladies with partiers from all over England. It
who looked like they'd walked straight out of a British comedy, to punk rock
teenagers, to is gated for the weekend and you need a
families with kids in tow. They all lined the parade route, cheering as we marched.
wristband to get in. A main stage is set up
After marching for a while, I stepped into the crowd to watch the rest of the
parade go by. I at one end with top-notch entertainment.
was amazed at how genuinely thrilled everyone was, truly enjoying the floats
of double-decker
In 2009, Bananarama, Little Boots and the
buses, buff guys riding spinning bikes and homo heroes on parade. Everyone
seemed to be Human League played.
having a good time.
On Sunday, part of the festival is closed
I knew two things about Manchester before I went. It's the home of the Manchest
er United
off for Women's Space, a trans-friendly
Football Club (that's soccer, not the NFL) and the British version of Queer as
Folk was filmed women-only concert and chill out zone,
there. Since I couldn't score football tickets, (Manchester United is the most
popular team in with no men allowed. As I walked through
the world), I rented the first season of Queer as Folk to get ready. I was excited
to visit Canal
the gates, I saw a man arguing with
Street and the gay village where much of the show's action takes place.
security about not being allowed
The gay village in Manchester is insular and dreamy. You could spend a
in. I couldn't imagine a U.S. Pride
week there and be happy not to venture outside its confines. The streets are
festival with s~ch a space.
As lovely as it is, I did spend some time
outside of the Village. The Castlefield
neighborhood highlights Manchester's
canals and is home to some of the city's
nicer restaurants. The Royal Exchange
theater is worth a visit,just to check out
the architecture of the former cotton
exchange building. Friday happy hours
feature free entertainment and cheap drinks.
I took a gay walking tour with Out in the
Past and learned about Manchester's history,
including its most famous gay resident, Alan
Turing, a mathematical genius and World
War II code-breaker who later killed himself
rather than be subjected to anti-gay therapy.
It's just a 45-minute train ride horn
Manchester to Liverpool, the birthplace of
the Beatles. I decided that I hadn't come :
all the way across the ocean, not to make
that pilgrimage, so I hopped on a train. ~
The Beatles' Story, a short cab ride from the
train station on Albert Dock has a few cool ~
~
mementos, but is kind of hokey. I enjoyed :.::
I
g
38
Icurve
visiting the Cavern Club where the Beatles played, much
more because it felt more authentic and I could imagine the
Fab Four rocking out in the tiny, dark venue, even though it
has been moved from its original location.
Back at the Pride festival, I was glad to have access to the
VIP area (available for purchase), a raised platform with
a place to escape the huge crowds and retreat during the
frequent rainstorms. You can pay the $30 it costs to attend one
of several women's dance parties, but I had more fun bouncing
between the free clubs and pubs on Canal Street.
Pride weekend closed with a candlelight AIDS vigil, a
moving memorial that sobered the crowd and reminding
them that Manchester Pride raises thousands of pounds each
year for AIDS and other charities. ■
Insider Tips
Jackie Crozier, the festival manager at Manchester Pride,
offers an insider's guide to lesbian life in Manchester.
Wheredoyoualwaystake
guestsfromoutoftown?
The Royal Exchange
Theatre in the city center,
along with a trip to
Manchester United
Football Club, of course!
Whataboutlesbians?
That's easy. Taurus Bar
at the top of Canal Street
for lunch and Vanilla Bar
round the corner for
drinks in the evening.
Whereis oneplaceoutside
oftheVillagethatyou're
sureto runintolesbians?
Chorlton. It's about four
cc
w
I-
miles southwest of the city
the
z center. It's probably
<t
6 most varied and interesting
w
(!)
suburb of Manchester
w
ID
and has a large lesbian
>I
~ and gay community.
(/)
w
I
(.)
_J
8
z
:::i
<(
~
a:
w
>
0
(.)
~
(.)
:)
::t
(.)
Wheredoyoutakeyourgirl
whenyouwantto gooutfor
a nicedate?
That's a tough one, as
Manchester has an abundance of things to do.
You are never stuck for
somewhere to eat. I think
first it would be a visit
to one of the theaters the Royal Exchange,
the Opera House or the
Palace Theatre- followed
by dinner somewhere like
Malmaison Brasserie.
Whatareyoulooking
forwardto forthe20th
of Manchester
anniversary
Pride?
The parade
is a big one.
It always
delivers.
It's so
great to see the streets
of Manchester filled with
thousands of spectatorsyoung and old, gay and
straight, friends and family.
We will be pulling out all
the stops to make sure
that Manchester Pride
2010 festival will be just
as exciting, unique and
goes out with a bang.
Califomia Dreams
Cougar Town
Palm Springs isn't just for girls gone wild.
By Diane Anderson-Minshall
I'm standing in the middle of a crowded nightclub while a hot blonde with
long
hair and even longer legs belts out "You Can Leave Your Hat On;' the song
Joe
Cocker made famous, in a voice nearly as throaty as his. The women in the
crowd
are jubilant, and after a while, drinking leads to dancing and everyone is bumping
and grinding and sweating (because after all, we're in the middle of the desert)
and
it's like any other Palm Springs, Calif. spectacle. Except the singer, Laurie
Dean,
isn't in her 20s (or even 30s) and tonight, the bar patrons aren't either. They're
in
town for the annual Bold Strokes Lesbian Book Festival, which unites dozens
of
authors from one of the largest lesbian publishers with local and visiting lit lovers
for
a weeklong series of events. (Full disclosure: BSB is this author's book publisher.
)
Before the dirty dancing, they spent several hours poolside-not
drinking and
comparing wet T-shirts, but rapturously listening to lesbian authors spin yarns
of
deceit and seduction in the sun.
By now we're used to tales of lesbians gone wild in the gay/oasis of
Palm
Springs-no doubt, we'll hear more later this month as Club Skirts' The Dinah
and
Girl Bar Dinah Shore Weekend embark on the city for the 20th anniversary
celebration of those now-dueling annual events. But there's another side to Palm Springs,
and it's older and wiser and has better insurance: the real lesbians of Palm Springs.
Since 1999, J. Michelle Secor, a former ad exec/stock investor, and Bernadett
e
Montenegro, a former nurse, have owned two of the city's three all-women getaways,
Queen of Hearts Resort and Desert Hearts Inn. Their hotels, says Secor,
attract
women in the 25 to 65 range, mostly through word of mouth, and often for
events
like anniversaries and commitment ceremonies.
"Women like to be comfortable vacationing with their partners;• says Secor.
"At our hotels they can be. The only other hotel like ours that I am aware
of is
Casitas Laquita:'
Casitas Laquita is a resort with 15 casitas (bungalows) with fireplaces and,
in at
least one case, a private Jacuzzi-all surrounding a sparkling pool and Palm Springsstyle grassy lounge area with mountain views. It's both cozy and resort-like
, and
though the spot has wi-fi and business services, it's clear the visitors aren't here
for
the amenities. They're here for the women.
Casitas Laquita, says co-owner Joanna Funaro, is a "safe, comfortable,
welcoming place for women to stay, surrounded by wonderful people just like
them:' Funaro, a former software sales manager, opened up the women's resort in 1998 with her
partner Denise Roberson, who used to run the food and beverage divisions of the Westin and
Marriott hotels.
Though their visitors range from their early 30s to mid-60s, Funaro admits that"the majority
of guests are in their 40s and 50s. We attract middle- to higher-income lesbians-women who
are professionals from all walks of life, from superior court judges to actresses and musicians:'
Indeed, though Casitas hoste~ ·weekly L Word parties during the show's tenure, it's not
20 Years of Lesbopalooza
Yes, the annual events now knowh
as Club Skirts The Dinah and Girl Bar
Dinah Shore Weekend are hitting a new
benchmark-a 20th anniversary,March
31-April 4-making Dinah Shore, a
nearlyweeklong, non-stop lesbian party
in Palm Springs, one of the longest
running festivals in the United States.
The rivalevents,which were actually
one event until organizerssplit them
up a few years ago, bring thousands
of women to dance, drink, party and
mark new trends in fashion, activism and
popular culture.The Dinah (thedinah.com)
attracted over 10,000 women last year,
the highest number in history despite the
recession.This year,The Dinah host hotel
for the event is the Hilton Hotel and Spa,
and this year promoter Mariah Hanson
has secured the Palm Springs Convention
Center for all entertainment,a huge boon
for a fest that helped propel artists like
Lady Gaga, Katy Perryand the Pussycat
Dollsto the top of pop charts. In addition
42 I curve
Palm SpringsScenes (clockwise
from left):The courtyardat Queen
of Hearts; Indian Canyons;author
Neil Stark at last year's festival;Girl
Bar Dinah Shore Weekend (bottom).
a surprise to find a Hollywood power player
there in real life.
Of the visitors and locals, Funaro says, 'J\.ll
the women mix and mingle, share stories and
become life long friends:'
While Dinah Shore and The Dinah
have their devoted fans, the Lesbian Book
Festival also has its devotees, including
Funaro, who gushes about both the fans
and authors. "Oh my God, what a great
group of people. The fans are the best,
to the performers,there will be celebrity warm and friendly. The authors, I cannot
fashionshow and the largestlesbianpool
say enpugh about them. Who would have
party in the nation.
ever known what a success this event would
GirlBar DinahShore(dinahshorebecome. My wish is coming true, as this cJi
weekend.com),known as much for their
event is growing bigger each year:'
~
performers-last year boasted Macy Gray,
Back at the club, the owner Victoria ~
the Cliks and Girlicious-as their wild pool Rendall (aka DJ
Mixie) is entertaining not ~
parties, is back at the Wyndham Hotel
just these middle aged lesbians who are §
(aftera $30 millionremodel)and both
~
flanking the hit lit-sters, but also a bevy of ~
Wyndham and Hotel Zoso are offeringVIP
gay and lesbian locals. When Rendall opened ~
luxury Dinah Shore passes.The Girl Bar
Cl.
Mixies Boy Bar in 2007, it was the first gay ;
events will be filmed for a 20th anniversabar in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. ~
ry documentary,GirlsJust Want to Have
She says that she "wanted people to know
Fun, and will feature Circus-a-Go-Goand
~
that it was, in fact, a gay bar. Calling it a 'boy ~
a comedy show benefitingHRC.
::,
bar' helped us send a more direct message:' 0
~
While Mixies recently closed, the spirit of the -;i_
<i:
pl~ce still continues in the other Palm Springs ~
attractions like Hunters, a club that hosts ~
Pink Girls Night Out on the last Saturday ~a:
of every month, and Azul, a gay restaurant ~
0
and lounge which is also located on the main ~
drag.
§
Like Casitas Laquita and Queen of Hearts, ~
Mixies attracted both lesbian tourists and ~
(.)
Hollywood celebs alike. Actor Candis Cayne :iE
a
i
(seen most recently on Nip/Tuck) has stopped in, as have Cynthia Manley, Pepper Mashay
les~
and numerous L Word stars. There was even a Mint reunion. (Mint used t? be a popular
1960s).
the
bian bar in Los Angeles in
But when the stars leave and the bars and hotels slow down-a rarity that does indeed
Secor, Roberson and all these
happen even in glitzy, gay~friendly Palm Springs-Rendall,
with LGBT business groups
network
to
together
come
Springs
power players oflesbian Palm
Center and the L Spot
Pride
Desert
,
Association
Business
Desert
like Desert Gay Tourism,
prings.com, a com~
lspotpalms
and
monthly
meets
that
group
(which is both a lesbian social
).
community
lesbian
the
reach
can
groups
and
munity directory where businesses
the group
And
Funaro.
says
'
businesses;
another's
one
support
"We do everything we can to
.
destination
lesbian
the
as
is working hard to solidify Palm Springs
"The town has always attracted the LGBT community, even back in the old days;' Funaro
adds."Hollywood's most closeted gays and lesbians came to the desert to play. The community
gay
has become very open. The city gets several thousands of dollars in occupancy tax from the
a
like
feels
community
The
flourish.
restaurants
and
and lesbian properties. The shop owners
including
members,
council
gay
openly
three
has
real part of Palm Springs. Our city council
the mayor. The city has lots of fairy dust flying around, making a fantasy land for the LGBT
tourists, as well as those who call Palm Springs their home:'
Secor agrees: "Palm Springs is an incredible place to enjoy biking, hiking, horseback riding,
tennis, casinos, fine restaurants, outdoor concerts:'
are
For these women, Dinah Shore, the White Parties, the Book Festival and the celebrities
all just bonuses.
"There's no place like it in the world;' says Rendall."Of all the places I've visited, it is the most
the
comfortable I've felt as a gay person. The gay community here is active and cohesive. Also,
so
Springs
Palm
makes
what
about
forever
weather-the incredible weather! I could go on
■
incredible, both as a destination and as my home:'
Author VK Powell reading at Bold Strokes (top);
Palm Springs Celebs at The Dinah (from left to
right): Club Skirts' owner Mariah Hanson, Uh Huh
Her's Leisha Hailey and Camila Grey and Katy Peny
But once she started, Dustina Haase couldn't stop. She'd
continue to eat four to six slices of buttered bread, an entire
box of cookies, a steak-anything she could find without her
family noticing.
And then came the moment of disgust.
"That's when I would go into the bathroom, use either my
finger or a toothbrush and gag myself until I threw up everything," says Haase, 33, a domestic violence advocate and peer
counselor who was so severely affected by bulimia that she
suffered a heart attack when she was only 18. "I was always
saying wonderful self-talk like, 'You are such a fat cow, how
could you do this to yourself again' or 'You are so stupid, it is
no wonder no one loves you:"
Vickie Windman traveled a similar journey. She says she
spent her teens as a compulsive overeater, followed by years of
binging and purging and then, after gaining 60 pounds during
a pregnancy, became completely obsessed with losing weight
and dropped down to 95 pounds.
•
"Friends came over to me and asked if I had cancer;' says
Windman, 51, a special education teacher. "My skin sagged. I
had no energy. I could not sleep. I could not eat. I developed
ulcers in my mouth:'
These two women share more than just their battles with
eating disorders-both
are out lesbians. Years ago, studies
indicated that anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating
addictions were extremely rare in the lesbian population (in
fact, during my research, one prominent lesbian medical professional told me, "It is so very rare that the valuable space in
your magazine would be better used on an issue that is more
common'').
One study looking at lesbians, gay men and heterosexuals
and eating disorders, published in the Journal of Eating
Disorders in 1992, reported that while gender was a more
relevant factor than sexual orientation in certain instances,
heterosexual women and gay men did indeed report lower
ideal weights and tended to be more overly concerned with
their weights than were lesbians or heterosexual men. Those
findings were followed up in a 1999 study published in Sex
Roles: A Journal of Research, which investigated the role of both
sexual orientation and gender-related personality traits in
eating disorders. Self-reporting assessments were administered
to 266 individuals, and the researchers concluded, "Consistent
with previous research, gay men scored significantly higher than
heterosexual men on body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint,
whereas lesbians scored significantly lower in comparison to
the heterosexual women on body dissatisfaction, drive for
thinness, dietary restraint, and bulimia:'
More recent studies, however, prove otherwise.
In another study, published in the International Journal of
Eating Disorders in 2007, researchers interviewed over 500
individuals for diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating
disorders using the World Health Organization's Composite
International Diagnostic Interview. The findings showed that
44
Icurve
gay and bisexual men had considerably higher incidences of
eating disorders when compared to heterosexual men,
but there was no difference in the rate of eating disorders
among lesbian and bisexual women when compared to
heterosexual women.
It's estimated that 8 million Americans have an eating
disorder-90 percent of them women. It's also estimated that
at the very minimum, roughly one to two percent of the
female population identify as lesbian. So, given the numbers,
at the very least, approximately 70,000 to 140,000 lesbians
are battling some form of anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.
In fact, the latest evidence shows that not only do lesbians
suffer from eating disorders as often as straight women, but
we may suffer more.
Last September, researchers at Harvard University used
data from a study of 12 to 23-year-olds to evaluate the
impact of sexual orientation on rates of eating disorders. Of
the nearly 14,000 participants surveyed, they found a higher
prevalence of binge eating among both males and females
who identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. Lesbian
teens and young adults were actually twice as likely as their
heterosexual counterparts to experience binge eating at least
once a month in the past year.
Nancy Anderson Dolan, a 50-year-old counselor, knows the
pain of facing eating disorders at a young age. Evidence of her
eating disorder emerged when, at age 2, she was found sneaking
a pound of butter. This behavior continued throughout her life.
"I just hid my needs and went on stealing and hiding food
and manipulating any way I could to just get the calming and
soothing I needed from eating," recalls Dolan. ''As I got older I
tried all the possible eating contortions-starving myself in
university, trying bulimia during an 'I can't stand the weight'
phase, but really,was never able to overcome the raging need for
excess food to make me feel safe:'
It is, in part, that search for safety that has made eating
disorders a very real problem for the lesbian community. The
truth is, many people who belong to a marginalized group seek a
comfort zone-often that security is found in food. There are a
myriad of other reasons for the correlation as well. According to
Dr. Ellen Haller, a professor and the director of the Residency
Training Program at the UCSF Department of Psychiatry, the
causes of these kinds of eating disorders run the gamut from
feelings of perfectionism, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety
and loneliness, to a history of sexual or physical abuse. There are
likely also genetic factors.
There is also the colossal influence of living in a society that
demands women be thin. Even lesbian media often features
images of impossibly skinny women-The L Word, for example.
"There is ongoing societal pressure to be thin, while at the
same time, portion sizes have increased;' notes Haller."Messages
about food are complex and contradictory, and lesbians are not
immune to these issues:'
Cyndi Hartmann, a 37-year-old IT engineering support
specialist, has anorexia and says that like any other woman, she
battles weight-loss messages on an ongoing basis.
"Seems like every other commercial on TV is geared toward
women-yogurt or Special K commercials, getting into that
bikini, weight-loss programs and more. And then they'll show
a fast food commercial;' she says.'J\nd it's all people talk about
at work, as well. I can't go on a coffee break without hearing
about someone's diet, calories or food of some sort:'
Haase agrees, and she notes just how prevalent peer pressure is among lesbians.
"No matter how many women like me fight the stereotypes,
they are out there in our community;' she says. "Lesbians try
RESOURCES
AND to live up to the same standard. How could we not, when that
ORGANIZATIONS
is all you see in media and as role models? I mean, just look at
National the polls we do on who's the hottest lesbian. Do they ever even
Libraryof include Rosie O'Donnell?"
Medicine
The symptoms of these illnesses are specific to each eating
andNational
Institutesof disorder, and can be as varied as the causes, says Dr. Sari
Health Shepphird, a psychologist and the author of 100 Questions
nlm.nih.gov/ and Answers about Anorexia Nervosa. However, an intense
medlineplus/eatfear of gaining weight or becoming or remaining fat is always
ingdisorder.html
in the shadows. Binge eating is a potential symptom in all
NationalEating three types of disorder. In anorexia and bulimia there is an
Disorders attempt to compensate for calories consumed, either through
Association
self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse or excessive exercise,
nationaleatingwhereas
in binge-eating disorder, there is a lack of compensadisorders.org
800-931-2237 tory behaviors, Shepphird explains.
There are also a plethora of warning signs including
Eating
denial of hunger, being ritualistic about food (for example,
Disorders
Anonymous chewing each bite a certain number of times, incessantly
eatingdisorders- measuring food servings, counting the number of food items
anonymous.orgeaten), being vague or secretive about eating, frequently
skipping meals, experiencing feelings of guilt after eating,
National
exhibiting
great concern about weight gain, abusing diet
Association
of Anorexia pills or prescription medications and having a negative
Nervosaand body image, says Shepphird.
Associated
On the bright side, she says, there are also several good
Disorders
courses
of treatment for those suffering from eating disorders.
anad.org
847-831-3438 The first course of action depends on the severity of the sympanadhelp@
anad.org
toms. Someone with medical risk due to extreme weight loss
or electrolyte imbalance as the result of continued purging
may need to be temporarily hospitalized and then continue
in a residential treatment facility or day-treatment program.
Someone without medical risk will benefit from outpatient
treatment that includes a medical doctor, a mental health professional, a dietitian and the support of other outside sources
like partners, parents, teachers or clergy.
The key to treatment, however, is no different to any other
addiction, and that's to admit there's a problem in the first
place. While it may seem impossible that anyone could miss
the signs, more often than not, eating disorders can go on for
months or even years_before the sufferer or anyone in their life
acknowledges there is a crisis, and sometimes by then it's too
late. With no treatment, up to 20 percent of individuals with
serious eating disorders die, mostly from either cardiovascular
collapse or suicide-a fact that led to the immediate speculation
that an eating disorder played a part in the recent, shocking
death of actor Brittney Murphy from cardiac arrest.
Windman says she believes her ex-partner knew about her
illness, but that she addressed the problem in a hostile, confrontational manner. Everyone else in her life was scared, and
she was the most frightened of all.
"Like any addiction, it is very scary to tell someone, even
when you love them, that there is a problem;' says Windman.
"We don't want to hear it. Hitting bottom was the only way I
knew I had to do something and, even then, I had a hard time
buying into it:'
Today, Windman is in recovery, as are Haase, Dolan and
Hartmann. Each woman battles her eating disorder every
day. Food is one of the hardest addictions to control because
unlike tobacco or alcohol, food isn't a luxury-it's a necessity.
To those who are silently suffe~ing the same conflicts,
Windman says to remember that there are choices.
"We are the only people who can control our own destiny;'
she says. "Go find the one person you trust, sit them down
and ask them to help you. Life is hard, but there is also a
tremendous amount of joy. Find your joy. Let go of the shit
and let someone help you:• ■
EatingDisorder
Referraland
Information There are three main types of eating disorders:
Center anorexia, bulimia and binge-eatingdisorder.
edreferral.com Symptomsvary depending on the type of
858-481-1515 disorder and the person, but the Mayo Clinic
extra calories by vomiting
or excessive exercise. In
between these bingepurge episodes, you
may eat very little or skip
meals altogether.You
may be a normal weight
or even a bit overweight.
S,,,,,.,
pfo,,,,.,s
offers these general guidelines:
A OREXIA
NERVOSA
When you have anorexia
nervosayou're obsessed
with food and being thin,
sometimesto the point
of deadly self-starvation.
You may exercise excessively or simply not eat
enough calories.
46jcurve
BULi IANERVOSA
When you have bulimia,
you have episodes of
bingeing and purging.
Duringthese episodes,
you typically eat a large
amount of food in a short
amount of time and then
try to rid yourselfof the
BINGE-EATING
DISORDER
When you have binge-eating disorder,you regularly
eat excessiveamountsof
food (binge),sometimes
for hourson end. You
may eat when you're not
hungryand continueeating even long after you're
uncomfortablyfull. After
a binge,you may try to
diet or eat normalmeals,
triggeringa new roundof
bingeing.You may be a
normalweight, overweight
or obese.
. SOURCE: MAYOCLINIC.COM
The Dark Side of the Story
Myriam Gurba reveals what fuels her
creativity. By Sheela Lambert
M
yriam Gurba's first book, Dahlia Season, is
quirky, sensual, bilingual and disturbing. In chis
collection of four short stories and a novella, she
writes with startling originality about Chicana
rebels, madwomen and sexual outlaws. Mexican-American
goth girls explore their sexuality with girls, boys and knives; a
girl cross-dresses and goes cruising under the pier; gang girls
are in the grip of guns and each other; a boy uses his creativity
co squeeze out of one problem, falling into the sudden abyss
of another; and a girl's quirkiness transforms into a living
nightmare until she meets others like herself.
storiesthatdrawin thereadersofully?
Howdoyouconstruct
Place is really important to me. I fall in love with places and if
I love chem enough co cell their stories, I want ochets to be able
co experience chem coo. I chink of the things chat specifically
make a place, a place-and then write through chose sensory
details, letting them guide certain parts of the narrative.
to
Yourshortstory,"WhiteGirl"seemsalmostlikea prelude
Doyouseeit thatway?
DahliaSeason.
The characters from "White Girl" found their way into Dahlia
Seasonbecause they really had me by the balls and wouldn't lee
go. I chink now I've gotten racist goth girls out of my system.
Bue I haven't gotten the theme of racism out of my literary
system and I never will. Race is practically one of my muses.
asa
cross-dresses
girlprotagonist
a nameless
In "Cruising,"
forsexwithmen.Wheredidthatstory
boyandgoescruising
linecomefrom?
"Cruising'' germinated from a bit of gossip one of my best
friends told me. He cold me how one of his friends who went
cruising at the public beach here in Long Beach, [Cali£,]
wound up making out with some dude and, lo and behold,
dude had a vajayjay.The person with the labia ran and my
friend's friend told him chat he wished the person hadn't
bolted because for the first time, chis fag was actually turned
on by a woman's body.
in yourstoriesseemsto leantowardswomenbut
Thesexuality
veersalloverthemap.Howdoyouidentify?
I guess in terms of self-identification, I identify as queer but
I don't mind being called a lez or a dyke or a homo. If the
shoe fies, right? Also, I try not to be fascisc-y when it comes
to sexual labels. There's already so much anxiety surrounding
sexuality, why create more by making people paranoid about
calling you the wrong thing?
Is thereanyonespecialin yourliferightnow?
Heck, yeah! Me and my old man have been together for 10
years. I guess you could say my partner is genderqueer. She is
~ comfortable being called "he" or "she;' and sometimes I chink
f2
~ of myself as being with a man and ocher times with a woman.
~ For simplicity's sake, I tend to chink of myself as queer.
aspects.
all havedark,disturbing
Thestoriesin DahliaSeason
writing?
your
in
places
dark
such
to
go
to
want
you
Whatmakes
writing.
my
in
places
chose
co
go
co
intend
I don't necessarily
my
reflects
chat
chink
I
But
there.
up
I just sor~ of wind
me.
taken
has
life
my
places
dark
the
sought
life. I haven't
My biology and social factors have sort of led me there and
since my writing reflects my life, well, there I am, writing in
the dark, so to speak.
andeTourrette's
obsessive-compulsiv
Desiree's
Youintroduced
subtly.
so
Season
intoDahlia
symptoms
That is exactly how I experienced chose disorders and I wanted
the reader to feel chem, like a radio station playing softly in the
background, while an invisible hand is turning the volume up
until you can't chink, it's so loud. I chink chat many people's
experiences with chose disorders are similar; they are unaware
of chem until they begin to destroy their life, but they've
always been there, impish and meddling, like the gremlin
on the wing.
withthesedisorders?
yourbookwillhelppeople
Areyouhoping
one of the main
entertainment,
to
I chink chat in addition
alone. I chink
less
feel
us
make
to
is
purposes of literature
themselves.
of
reflections
find
to
chat's often why people read,
someone's
ease
help
might
I would hope chat my writing
comfort,
of
kind
some
chem
bring
sense of isolation and
cathartic
both
be
can
literature
relief, or realization because
and a balm. ■
March 2010
I47
Sarah Schulman Waxes Politic The lesbianwriterand academic
on what'swrongand how to fix it. By KristinA. Smith
Kessler Prize this year and we tried to get it announced in the
New YorkTimesArts and Brief section; they wouldn't announce
hen it comes to writing, Sarah Schulman is a
Jane of all trades-she is a prolific and awardwinning lesbian novelist, playwright, nonfiction
writer and professor. One of the first writers to
chronicle the AIDS epidemic in the '80s, Schulman continues
to blend activism and art, and explore the issues that impact
our community. In 2009, she was awarded a Kessler Prize for
her continued contribution to LGBT studies. Despite her
numerous accolades, by Schulman's own account, her career
is less successful than it should be-she's had no plays on
Broadway (though her book Peoplein Troublewas reportedly
plagiarized by RENT writers) and there has been a dearth
of substantial reviews of her work by the mainstream press.
Nonetheless, Schulman continues to produce groundbreaking
and thought-provoking work. Her most recent book, Ties That
Bind:FamilialHomophobiaand Its Consequences,
examines the
impact of homophobia in the home and argues that, like rape,
homophobia should be addressed as a cultural crisis.
W
You'rea rarityinthatyouseamlessly
combine
therolesof writer,
academic
andactivist.Howdoyoumanage
to balance
those
demanding,
andsometimes
contentious,
identities?
I have no idea. People ask me all those kinds of questions like,
do you ever sleep? How do you know if it's a play, not a book?
But I don't have answers for any of them because it's really just
sort of the way I am.
According
to yourwritingthe
, firststepin addressing
anissueis
to identifyit anddefineit.What'sthenextstep?
Well, the real problem is getting it allowed to be discussed.
Like, here you have this book that took me many years to
write-it took many years to get it published-and then the
censorship was really profound. Now it's published and all
the same kinds of censorship are rearing their ugly heads. So
there's no review in Publisher'sWeekly,which is crazy, because
almost every book gets reviewed there. I was awarded the
it. You can do all this work and people are so interested in this
book and I had so much reaction to it-very positive from
gay people-but the institutions won't let it be known that
this discussion's happening.
Whydoyouthinkthere'sa lackof dialogue
betweenourcommunityandtheseinstitutions?
They don't think it matters. It's complete indifference. It's
through the looking glass. I mean, my first book, I had like
28 rejections. People would say things like, "We can't publish
this because it would offend librarians:' I mean, this is 1984.
They didn't know the truth about librarians. (Laughs] I think
• I'm just the tip of the iceberg. Myself and others represent
a
much larger problem, which is that we haven't gotten anywhere.
Were not allowed to have authentic conversations about our
own condition as part of the American conversation.
Somepeoplewouldsaythatthestrideswe'vemadein gaymarriageanddomestic
partnerships
showrealgrowthbut
, youdon't
thinkgaymarriage
istheanswer.
Why?
Well, let's start with why it's not the answer. I think that the
AIDS crisis has had so many consequences on how we see
ourselves, how the world sees us, how we make decisions.
But ... theres no conversation about the consequences from
the AIDS crisis. It's like it never happened. When I look at
Jews, I think it's a similar parallel. People undergo profound
historical cataclysm when theres a mass death experience
and they get the message very clearly that they live in a world
where no one cares what happens to them. And then you have
a large traumatized population, and what they do is assimilate
into the dominant culture that allowed them to be destroyed.
So this is an historic pattern that we're in now. And I think, in
part, this moment is a consequence of AIDS trauma.
I also think that straight people make it very clear that the
only grounds that we're going to get anything is the grounds
in which we resemble them-and
weve internalized that.
So people go around saying, "I deserve rights, I've been with
my partner for 30 years:' Nobody deserves rights because
they've been with their partner for 30 years. People deserve
rights because they're human. So, we're saying, "Give us rights
because we re just like you:' But the parts of us that are not
like (them] are no longer even mentioned.
Whydoyoudisagree
withthemainstreaminof
ggayculture?
We no longer really have authentic gay culture. We don't
have figures who can discuss things and communities talking
things over in a way that's not controlled by dominant corporate
culture as we once did. So, were fed our own image of ourselves
through television, which we don't control.
I don't think that (gay marriage] could possibly last Partially
because monogamous nuclear families have not really worked
for straight people and they have every cultural incentive with
them. So, I can't imagine that it's going to work for us. I think
it'sjust like were in the gay 1950s and in a few years people will
realize it's ridiculous and we'll have another sexual revolution,
just like straight people did.
Youdiscusshomophobiaas a culturalidea.Howcan a person
applythatto herownlife?
Well, the first thing is that the person has to know that I
know that they are a real human being and their life matters.
And the second is that there is absolutely nothing wrong
with homosexuality and nothing right with heterosexuality.
They are equal, normal human variants. Anything that creates
homosexuality as inferior is pathological, is untrue and
has negative consequences on people and on society. If your
family is victimizing you or harassing you through shunning,
exclusion, diminishment, you need to know that it's not your
personal problem. It's not because of you, it's not because of
your family. It's because you live in a culture that allows that
to go on without any reaction.
Now, if people can take in those two things, then we come
to the "what do we dot I think that if many families knew
that other people think that their behavior is anti-social, then
they might mitigate that in some way. Right now, theres no
force in the culture telling them that homophobia is the
problem. Most forces in the culture are telling them that
homosexuality is the problem. But if we can make it clear to
them that homophobia is the problem, they have an option to
change their behavior. Most gay people's families don't even
know their friends. They don't know that they're loved people
who have a context and a social stature. If their friends told
their families how much they loved this person, how valued
this person is, how much pain the family is causing this person,
maybe the family would think differently. But the message has
to come from people they know, people they're related to, the
other straight members of the family, the people they work
with, the movies they see and their government.
Whatdoyoumostwantto sayto ourcommunity?
In order to know what's true about yoursel£ you have to look
at your own experience in your own life. Don't let gay leaders
or straight leaders or Obama or television or the L Word or
anybody tell you what's important to you. The most radicalizing thing is to get your own vision from how you really live.
That's the thing we've lost, but we can get that back. ■
researchby MandyVanDeven]
[Additional
Talesof the IndianDiaspora
LeavingIndia:MyFamily'sJourneyfromFiveVillagesto Five
longproject,MinalHajratwala's
A seven-year
tracesthe storyof herfamily'smigrationfromthe Indianstateof Gujaratto everycornerof the globe,
Continents
admitteda sense
includingthe PacificIslands,AfricaandMidwestsuburbia.Likemanyqueerwomen,Hajratwala
process
writing
the
through
says
she
However,
book.
the
on
work
of distancefromherfamilybeforeshebegan
thatthey
decisions
the
made
me
before
people
the
that
this changed."Somuchof whoI am is basedonthe fact
or saris,
jeans
blue
wear
to
chqose
lesbian,
out
an
bea writer,be
made.Thefact that I canlivein SanFrancisco,
before
people
because
possible
are
options
cookeithermy mother'sdaalor tofu chipotleburritos-all of those
and
intended
effects,
ripple
has
motion
each
memadehuge,dramaticchangesin their lives.Theymoved.And
upongenerations."
for generations
unintended,
toyour
Whathastheresponse
bookbeenfromtheIndianand
communities?
immigrant
Whenwe did [aninterviewonthe
radioshow]"TheForum",a
KQED
lot of the callerswerejust calling
to say,"Hey,I'm IndianandI'm gay
too,andthanksfor beingout on
the radio."Whichwassurprisingto
but [it] made
mein SanFrancisco,
merealize,actually,the number
of queervoicesof colorwe hear
form,is
publicly,in a mainstream
still fairlysmall.
thatthisbook
Youmentioned
mightbeyourfirst"official"
comingoutto yourfamily.How
didtheyrespond?
It's beengreat.Theremightbe
peoplein myfamilywhoare
havingtroublewith it, but if so,
I'm not hearingfrom them.What
I'm hearingis reallysupportive,
actually... [they're]sayingreally
sweetthings.It's reallyniceto just
betotallyout,actually.I'm really
enjoyingthat,andnot havingto go
throughthe processof comingout
to peopleonebyone.
aboutthe
Wereyouapprehensive
ofyourfamilyand
representation
howtheywouldreact?
about
I definitelywasapprehensive
it, andthe peoplewhoweremain
charactershada chanceto read
theirchaptersaheadof time... so
before
we hadthat conversation
the bookcameout.Forthe most
part,peoplehavebeenveryhappy
The
with their representations.
maincharactershavejust really
beengladto havetheir storiestold,
in context.
Yourfamilylefttheirhomeland
andyourparentstookonatypical
genderrolesfortheirsociety
Doyouthink
andgeneration.
thatmadeit anyeasierforyouto
comeoutasqueer?
No.I mean,that's a connection
that I havemade,but I don't think
that that's a continuumthat they
wouldsee.I think that queer
behaviorhasalwaysbeenthere in
our communities,andthatpeople
have,fromtimeto time,knownit,
but alsothat it's notsomethingthat
peoplehavespokenabout.So,it's
of reallyidentifying
the combination
as queerandthentalkingaboutit
that is newandpotentiallyshocking,
andalsopotentiallyliberating.I do
feel likethereis a powerin that...
powerof a
kindof theaccumulated
longperiodof silenceandbreaking
for me
throughthat.Thathappens
asa queerperson,but
individually
for thecomI thinkit alsohappens
munityasa wholesomehow-that
thesenseof possibilitycanexpand.
Plato]
[Catherine
Literary Lesbos
The Canadians Fresh queer voices from our neighbors to the north. By Nairne Holtz
•
LydiaKwabalancesvariousidentities:
She'sfromSingapore
but livesin
Vancouver,
she'sa writer aswell as a
• psychologist,
she'spublishedbothpoetry
• andfictionandshehasachievedaccolades
fromboththe queercommunityandthe
mainstream
Canadian
press.Herfirst
novel,ThisPlaceCalledAbsence,wasshortlistedfor a LambdaLiteraryAwardanda Books
in CanadaFirstNovelAward,whilehersecond
novel,TheWalkingBoy,wasa finalistfor British
Columbia's
EthelWilsonFictionPrize.Hernewest
novel,Pulse,will beavailablethis month.
ThisPlaceCalledAbsence
istoldin thevoices
offourwomen:a mother,
herdaughter
anda
pairof loverslivingin a brothelin Singapore
at
theturnofthecentury.
Howarethestoriesof
thesewomenrelated?
Zoe Whittall is a dual-genrewriter, publishing
in both fiction and poetry and is the winner
of the Writers' Trust Dayne OgilvieAward for
Best Erne ging Gay Writer in Canada. Her
novels Bottle Rocket Hearts and Holding
Still For as Long as Possible, as well as her
poetry collections, The Best TenMinutes of
YourLife, The Emily ValentinePoems and
Precordial Thump have made her a household name for Canadian queers. Raised on
a sheep farm, she currently
lives in Toronto.
In Holding Still For as
Long as Possible, the
story of a domestic
relationship quietly
unraveling is juxtaposed
against shorter tales of
so Icurve
In the novel,the two ah ku [sextradeworkers]
arefabricationsof [thecharacter]WuLan.As
actualwomen,theydid existin early20thcenturySingapore,
as shefoundout aboutthem
from readinga bookshefoundin the library.
Thetwo actualwomenkilledthemselves.But
WuLancreateda wholeworld aboutthemin
her head,as shelaterdisclosesto her lover,
Frances.Shedoesit to copewith herfather's
suicide.So,we havea chorusof women.Really,
it's WuLanarguingwith two aspectsof herself
abouthowa womanmustcopewith hersufferingandwhomsheexpects-or doesn't-to
rescueher.It's alsoaboutherestrangement
from,as well as intimacywith, Mahmeeandhow
theycopeverydifferentlywith their loss.
WuLanseeksanonymous
sexwithwomenbut
isn'tentirelysuccessful.
Doyouthinklesbians
arebuiltforanonymous
sexualencounters?
No.I won't generalize!
Thatwouldbe essentializing,wouldn'tit?
Baoshi,
thenovicemonkand"walkingboy"of
yourtitle,hasa physical
bodythatisequally
maleandfemale.Whatwasyourpurpose
in
creatingthischaracter?
I usedhis bodyas a metaphor-to explorethe
complexitiesinherentin anyhumanbeing,to
usehis physicalembodiment
as bothmaleand
femaleto challengeus to think aboutwhat goes
intogenderconstruction
andgenderassumptions.
Wearetoo oftencaughtin beingliteralandthink
alongdualisticlines.
Ghosts
appearin bothyournovels.
Arethey
metaphorical
ormetaphysical?
Theyare bothmetaphorical
andmetaphysical.
I
usethemas symbolsof humansfeelinghaunted
bythe past,by unresolvedgriefor guilt.As well,
I believeghostsexist.Ghostsareveryrealfor
meon bothcounts.
Youhavealsopublished
a bookof poetry,The
Colours
of Heroines.
Whatdoyoupreferabout
writingpoetry?
Poetryis lovelyin a differentway.It's like a
burstof sensation,onelineat a time,whereas
a novelis like onelongdreamor nightmare.I
likeboth.
Although
queerthemesarecentralto both
yournovels,
thereis nothing
to suggest
thison
thepackaging.
Wasthisa strategyonthepart
of yourpublishers?
Notthat I knowof. If anything,I think that
my publishershavebeenfairly energeticand
supportivein promotingthe booksto a queer
readership.Maybetheydid not wantthe straight
readerto dismissor discriminateagainstthe
booksat the outset.But I don't knowthe answer
to this, really.
Aretherelesbiancharacters
in yournew
book?
Mynewnovelis calledPulse,andit's aboutsex
andviolencein Singaporein the 1960sand'70s.
What'sthe theme?Howour livesareso interconnected,
acrossgenerations
andcountries.
Thenovelalsoexploresthe roleof hatredand
forgiveness.
Andyes,mostdefinitely,thereare
lesbiansrunningaroundin the novel!■
paramedics coping with emergencies.
Why did you include both narratives?
I think the heavierparamedicsectionstighten
up the story. I wanted to juxtaposethe real
crisismomentswith the ones that feel real,
but aren't really,like Billy'shypochondriaor
Amy's heartbreak.Thesethree narratorshave
had such differentlivesand experiencecrisis
in very differentways. Billythinks a rash on
her arm is an emergency.Josh deals with
other people'sreallife-or-death
emergenciesENeryday, and
becomes blase. His story is really
about compassionfatigue, and
how crisis workers learn to see
the world in a bleak and often
hilariousway in order to keep
working without going crazy or
fully succumbing to PTSD.
The book is ultimatelyabout
how most fear is based on a lack of
control, but that you ultimatelycan't
control anything.
Holding Still For as Long as
Possible deals with a love triangle
between a trans man and two
bisexual femmes, yet nothing on
the book's packaging suggests
there's queer content. Was this a
strategy on the part of your publisher?
Interesting!I don't think of Billy as
bisexual, she'd identify more as queer.
Maybe Amy would call herself bi. Much
has been made about the "fluidity" of the
female characters, but they're both pretty
queer-politicized that way, identify that
way. Josh is most comfortable around
queers, has a home in his queer world, but
love,dreams
,
mythologycapital,
biotechnology,
andthe practiceof writingitself.But,of course,
I
of language,
s
thanksto the mysterioupowers
...
got pulledbackintothe originalconundrum
thoughhopefullyin moreinterestingand
productiveways.
Myth,in the senseof bothfolkloreandfalse
notions,playsa largerolein yourwork.You
creationstoriesand
e
recombinChinese
fairytaleswithmythsusedto sustain
Western
held
power.Forexample,the commonly
Westernmyththatforeignerscarrydiseases
andtake awayjobs.Whydoyouusemyths
to expressyourideas?
genetically Somuchof the waywe knowourselvescomes
Yourbook~featurehumananimals,
andgoddesses to us throughmyth,in bothof the sensesyou
cyborgs
humans,
engineered
describe.I retellin orderto placemy voicesand
to you
human.Whatappeals
whobecome
charactersin a human,andsometimesnonabouthybrids?
human,community,to showthe waysin which
I'm lookingfor a wayto describethe worldwe
actuallylivein,whichisn't easywhenlanguage we areconnectedto oneanotherthroughthe
tellingandretellingof stories.In oralcultures,
is so loaded.Nooneis just onething.But
storiesarenevertold the samewaytwice;they
to
easy
really
whenyoulooklikeyouare,it is
aretoldto reflectthemomentof thetelling,evenas
instance,
For
way.
that
defined
haveyourlife
that
theyreflectthepast.I amtryingto re-engage
becauseI amAsian,I seldomget recognized
damaged
our
remake
to
order
in
ancientpower
as lesbian.Inthe momentI beganwriting,or at
denyinghistory.
,
worlddifferentlywithout
wasa lot of pressureon
,
leastpublishingthere
authorwho
Canadian
Chinese
queer
a
are
You
e
experienc
"the
about
Asianwomento write
with
work
nre
cross-ge
s
political,
publishe
there
though
s
woman"-a
Asian
an
being
of
Thiswouldseemto
g
smallpublishinhouses.
weresometruththatcouldbecapturedand
, anentireissueof a
limityouraudienceyet
disclosedthatwouldshatteran inscrutability
to scholarly
dedicated
was
journal
literary
actually
is
it
... when
imaginedbythe mainstream
readers?
your
are
Who
work.
your
on
essays
ed,
multifacet
about
. writing
a projectionBy
whenI first startedwriting,I thought
fantasticbeings,I hopedto shakefullyfreeof that Honestly,
myfamilyandfriendswouldreadmy work
sothat I couldwriteabout
set of expectations,
that wouldbethat. Butmy readershiphas
and
the wholerangeof thingsthat interestme-race,
outto beso muchmorecomplexand
turned
also
but
class,genderandsexualityfor sure,
LarissaLai would be
a challengeto any
marketingfirm, but that's what makesher
workso compelling.She'sChineseCanadian,
andnowlivesin
but grewup in Newfoundland
sheteachesat the University
r,
Vancouvewhere
. novels-When FoxIs
of BritishColumbiaHer
andSaltFishGirl-have bothbeen
a Thousand
severalawards,includingthe
for
d
short-liste
Booksin CanadaFirstNovelAward.Herwork is
to sit comfortablyon a genre
too experimental
shelf,andhercharactersareoftennot entirely
human.She's,well,quirky.Oh,andalsoqueer.
Larissa Lai
has a straight sexual orientation. But, to
get to your question about the back cover
copy, I didn't even notice there wasn't
a mention. You only have to read a few
pages of the book to know there's queer
content. It wasn't a strategy on the part of
my publisher at all.
The story isn't about the fact that
they're queer or genderqueer, it's about
the larger issues in their lives. I'm pretty
much known, if at all, for being queer and
writing about queer lives, but the novel isn't
about identity at all. I didn't want Josh's
transsexuality to be a topic in the book, or
a: an issue, the way it is in most books with
~ trans characters. It wouldn't be organic
~0 to the plot for the characters to sit around
discussing it, because he transitioned years
0
w before the book starts. It was important to
1
me that he come across as an authentic,
whole character, and not just an exploitive
plot point.
Your poetry feels more intimate, more
confessional to me than your novels.
What do you like about poetry?
I love the freedom you can have with
poetry to play with form and language,
with collage and paste, and to be playful,
without necessarily having to pay attention
to story. But I do feel like writing long fiction
is where I'm most comfortable now. I love
creating people and being around them for
years, watching their stories unfold.
Sad things happen in your novels, but I
loved the dry way the narrator in Bottle
Rocket Hearts dissects everything from
sexual politics to the flaky customers
she deals with at a health food store.
varied.I don'tthink it's as easyas sayingmy
folk, brownpeople,
readersarewomen,LGBTQ
scientists,hippies,speculativefictionfans,
poets,geeksandintellectuals,
experimental
althoughall of this maybe partiallytrue.What
I think is that readersof all stripesaresmarter,
moreinterestingandmorehopefulthanthe
mainstreampublishingindustry,with all its
andstatistics,canpanderto.
demographics
publisheadbookof poetry,
Youhaverecently
Yourpoetry,likeyour
ies.
n
Biograph
Automato
quality,butis more
hasa mash-up
novels,
of itsexperibecause
forread~rs
challenging
mentalform.Whatdoyoupreferaboutwriting
poetryversusfiction?
I like writingpoetrybecauseit offersa greater
freedomof form andan opportunityto reallyget
into languageandplaywith it. I do sometimes
wishthat morereadersweremoreinterested
in playandlessinterestedin fixedmeaning.
readersdo getthis.
ThoughI think lots of LGBTQ
Wevaluepleasurein life,why not in language?■
How important is humor to you? Would
you ever write a more gothic, Canadianstyle novel about landscape and
alcoholic fathers?
Oh, man, no way! Humor is very important
to me. My favorite writers tend to be
witty-Douglas Coupland, Miriam Toews,
Marisha Pessl, Lorrie Moore-and I aspire
to that. I also love watching stand-up and
get a lot of inspiration from comics. The
characters in the new book are all kind of
cynical, and it was really important to me
to try and capture a specific kind of humor
that paramedics have-almost beyond a
gallows humor. I spent over a year hanging
out with groups of medics- and trying to
drink like them, which is impossible-and
I really feel like I almost have the ability to
laugh at anything.
■
March 2010 j 51
There's Something Queer Going On SarahWaters
on her latestbook and why she lovesghoststories.By RachelBeebe
of any lesbian characters in her latest book.
Instead, the story is told through the eyes of a
middle-aged male character, Dr. Faraday, who
befriends the Ayreses and becomes enmeshed
in their family problems. But, as the novel
progresses, and things that can't be logically
explained begin happening, it becomes clear
that even though there are no gay characters,
there is something decidedly queer going on.
"It's queer in the old-fashioned sense;'
says Waters, who sees a connection between
supernatural storie~ and gay characters,
naming Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of
Hill House and Henry James' The Turn of
the Screw as examples. "Certainly, haunted
house novels have often been attractive t~
gay writers, or they've sort of had room for
gay characters. It feels to me like a slightly
queer genre, anyway. And I think a lot of
what happens in the house, you know, it's not
pyrotechnically scary, but it's just, things are
wrong, they feel slightly wrong- I like that.
They're queer, just not quite right. And that
arah Waters' 1998 debut novel, Tipping the Velvet, just feels very suggestive to me:•
opens with a wonderfully cheeky innuendo: "Have
The novel opens on a flashback of Hundreds Hall in its
you ever tasted a Whitstable oyster?" asks the heyday. The Georgian mansion is the family home of the
innocent Nan King, protagonist of the first Ayreses and the true main character of the book. Since the
of three books Waters has famously called her "lesbo- war it has fallen into disrepair, pushing the family deeper and
Victorian romps:• With that line, and the unique brand
deeper into debt and standing as a reminder of past prosperity
of lesbian historical fiction it introduced, the Welsh author
and a now-defunct social order. The Aryreses-the widowed
embedded herself in the hearts and minds of lesbian readers mother, Mrs. Ayres, and her adult children Caroline and
on both ;ides of the Atlantic and beyond, winning a Lambda Roderick-are haunted by this past and by a future in which
Literary award for Tipping the Velvet and racking up plaudits none of them seems to have a place. The house stands in for
for each of her four subsequent novels.
the class conflicts of post-war England, and the haunting shifts
The most recent, The Little Stranger, published last slowly from a figurative one, to a literal one.
year, veers away from the style of the bawdy VictorianBut it's not just the genre of TheLittle Stranger that is a bit
era picaresque that established Waters as an international
queer. Readers will recognize an overt butchness in Caroline,
literary celebrity even more so than did her fourth book, The who rambles around the estate without stockings or a hat, and
Night Watch, which was set in World War II-era London. The whose square jaw, tanned, strong legs and forward demeanor
Little Stranger is, as Waters calls it, a haunted house·novel. She mark her out as unladylike for her time, despite her aristoreturns to the 1940s, but instead of London, the book is set cratic manners. But, Waters says, though Caroline's sexuality
in a sleepy town in Warwickshire, England, and instead
is "quite complicated" she didn't intend for her to be a read as
of following the exploits of a group of mostly Sapphically- a closet case. "I could just feel her-I definitely wanted her
inclined female characters (as TheNight Watch did) TheLittle to be not a traditional, pretty girl because I needed her to be
Stranger follows the slow demise of the Ayres family, landed trapped. So I thought, she's clever, she's plain, at a time when
gentry brought low by the war and the shifting class structures
to be clever and plain were real handicaps for a woman:•
~
of mid-century Britain.
Waters' decision to write the book from a male point of ~
Most striking for Waters' lesbian fans, who fell in love with view is another departure that isn't as drastic as fans might ~
Nan and her other well-crafted lesbian characters-not to think. "Ultimately, it didn't feel that different from any other ~
mention her steamy girl-on-girl sex scenes-is the absence of my narrators, I have to say. You know, it's always an act I~
S
Like NowhereElse
of the imagination, you're always trying to
bring someone to life who's not you, so you
have to do that work:' And in fact, Waters
says that writing from a male perspective
was liberating. "My female characters have
always had to desire each other in secretthat's the nature of the books and the time
periods. But he could really enjoy his desire,
and there was this real sense of entitlement
behind it, that was both quite liberating
and slightly sinister. It was like patriarchyin-action kind of thing:'
The mystery behind the spooky incidents
are never solved in the book, and Waters
says she knew from the beginning that she
wanted to leave her story open-ended. For
her, it was more about exploring the effects
of the social changes going on at the time on
the characters. "The idea of hauntings and
menace, I realized, would work very well
when I was writing about class, because ...
the upper middle classes did feel menace by
the changes that were happening. They did
feel under threat from the working.classes:'
The unresolved ending may be frustrating
for some readers (especially those, like this
one, who were also waiting for Caroline to
come out and ravish the parlor maid on the
scullery table), but Waters enjoys the idea of
people reading things into the story that she
hasn't thought of. "My mum thought it was
Roderick behind it all. My sister thought
it was the ghost of the little girl. My dad
thought the doctor was involved, you know,
so it was really interesting getting this whole
range of things;' she says.
And, knowing Waters' fan base, which
is particularly loyal, there will be a number
batted
of authoritative interpretations
around. There is a thriving body of fan
fiction based on Waters' work, which she
seems self-depreciatingly tickled by. "I find
it fascinating and slightly unnerving, actually,
to ... see my characters developing like their
own in someone else's fiction;' she says. "In
fact, somebody sent me one where they'd
done this most ingenious thing where they
had two of the characters from The Night
Watch driving an ambulance to a building
[to find] these two ancient women and
they're ill, and it turns out to be Nancy and
Florence from Tipping the Velvet.They put
two of the novels together in one story. It
was quite amazing:'
And Waters is decidedly modest about
her celebrity. "It's not that big a deal, really,
because I think even very famous writers
are still pretty invisible in lots of ways:' But
Waters' modesty belies the fact that in the
U.K., where there has been a significant publishing boom in recent years, being a famous
author has become a pretty big deal. "I think
something has happened in the U.K. around
books recently;' she admits. "That suddenly
readings become really popular with loads
of book groups and it's very mainstream
and there's Richard and Judy, you know, the
book club? It's like mini-Oprah:'
Even for an American bibliophile, though,
it might be hard to understand the extent
of the U.K. book boom and what it means
for authors across the pond, with Waters at
the forefront. She says that her status as a
lesbian writer hasn't affected her rise to fame
in the way it might have in the U.S., and she
mentions some other high-profile British
writers-Ali Smith, Shaun Mendelson, Val
have made it big in the
McDermid-who
feel like lesbians are right
doesn't
same way."It
there in the mainstream [in the U.S.] the way
they are in the U.K., but then ... you've got like
high-profile lesbian entertainers over here in
a way that we haven't, I don't think:'
That's not to say that Waters doesn't
appreciate her lesbian following. The writer
says she enjoys meeting her readers, especially
the lesbian ones, and she has even been on
an Olivia cruise, along with fellow queer
writers Dorothy Allison, Michelle Tea and
Katherine V.Forrest. "Certainly, if I ever get
recognized by somebody, it's usually a pretty
nice encounter because if someone comes
and says something to me it's because they
like my book or something. Often, it's
lesbians as well. It feels very meaningful,
you know what I meant
And, for those of you who are jonesing
for another lesbo romp, full of the dyke
characters that made her a household
name in the lesbian community, Waters
hints that her next book will satisfy in a
way that The Little Stranger didn't. She's
cagey about her next project, but does
say, "I think it will be another lesbian
novel, and it might be early 20th century
rather than this period. But I don't know:'
Sounds like we have something to look
forward to. ■
Literary Lesbos
Tortillera Girl
Mayra Lazara Dole spins a tale of a young lesbian
searching for identity. By Sheela Lambert
ayra Lazara Dole's first novel, Down to the Bone,
is the first young adult novel about a Latina
lesbian. It follows Laura, a questioning Latina
teen who gets kicked out of both her home and
school when a teacher catches her with a love note from her
girlfriend. The girlfriend is then shipped off to get married
in Puerto Rico and Laura struggles to find a new place to
live, mend her broken heart, make new friends and figure
out whom she wants to love. Down to the Bone is humorous,
heartwarming and full of life, with colorful descriptions of
Cuban Miami and its denizens and complete with a handy
glossary of Spanish slang. Among the list: tortillera, which
means dyke.
Ironically, until recently the
author couldn't even hold her own
book in her hand. After a chemical
injury from a common household
"bug bomb" (now banned) developed
into a severe case of multiple chemical
sensitivities (MCS), Dole needed to
live in a sealed off"bubble" room for
six years. During this time, Dole
(who also authored two bilingual
children's books, Birthday in the
Barrio and Drum, Chavi, Drum!)
managed to type the novel with
her eyes closed (she was dizzy with
them open).
M
In DowntotheBone,Laura'smotherkicksheroutofthehouse
whenshe is outedby her teacher.Howwas yourcoming
outprocess?
Have you ever had your eyeballs pierced without anesthesia? I
had mad crushes on boys and had never thought of girls (as
anything] other than friends. In ninth grade, a close friend
and I danced around in my room to ballistic beats. She
turned the music to slow _Bosanovaand plopped on my bed,
belly down. One juicy thing led to another. The following
morning, our math teacher from hell ... ripped the sizzling,
graphic note my new girlfriend had written me about my
first time out of my hands. She stormed to Mother Superior's
office. They read it to my mom in full detail and explained,
"Sex of any kind between teens isn't allowed in our all-girl
school. Your daughter is expelled:' My friends shunned me.
Religious girls ostracized me. I was punished and my mom
never allowed me to see my girlfriend again. But, I snuck out
and kept on seeing her.
Laurastartsoutafraid,butbytheendofthebookshebecomes
veryindependent
andbrave.
I love writing emotion-centered stories that aren't polemic
54
Icurve
and bogged down with messages, issues or preachiness. I wrote
that ending to inspire and empower Latina lesbian teens.
Thereisa lotofteasing
andnicknamesbetween
thecharacters
inthebook.
In my culture, everybody has at least one nickname, including
pets. Teasing, goofing off, laughter and self-deprecating
humor is a big part of Cuban American life.
Yourbookis fullof veryvividdescriptions
of thesights,
sounds
andsmellsof CubanMiami,yetat thetimeyouwere
writing,youhadnocontactwiththeoutsideworld._How
did
youdoit?
Living sealed, the sights and sounds became more vivid. I
wrote them in full detail while living
"trapped" ... in complete isolation.
Lauraisa femmewholikesother
femmes.
Doyouthinkthisdynamic
is
underrepresented
in queerwomen's
literature?
I think so. Personally, I've always loved
women who look feminine, regardless of how they are under the sheets.
Laura .. .looks feminine but isn't ...
submissive in bed. She tries out a boi,
but in the end, it's the feminine-looking
girls that turn her on.
Howdidyoumeetyourlifepartner,
Damarys?
I was volunteering at a nursing home
where her mom was placed as my assistant
The first day we met she asked me in
Spanish, "You are familia, right?" Familia
in Cuban means gay. My jaw dropped. I
asked, "Why?" She responded, "You're exactly my daughter's
type. She'll fall madly in love with you. Here's her number.
· Call her:' She was right.
What'snext?
My next two novels are more Americanized. I wrote Down to
the Bone partly because Latinas have no "questioning" story of
our own. My new novels ~ave all "out" female characters that
are lesbian, bi and fluid in their sexuality. ■
"I love writing emotioncentered stories that aren't
polemicand bogged down with
messages,issuesor preachiness."
United States of India
prosehasgrabbedmediaattentionin bothhernativeIndia
subversive
AbhaDawesar's
andheradoptedhome,NewYork.TimeOutcalledheroneof NewYork'sHot25whileIndia
Babyji,hersecondbook,wonthe
namedheroneof India's25YoungAchievers.
Today
aswellasa LambdaLiteraryAward.
Award
Book
's
Stonewall
libraryAssociation
American
as"anIndianlord of theFlies,"
whichshedescribes
Hermostrecentbook,FamilyValues,
in 2009.
waspublished
I
ts beenvariously
Yourprotagonishave
maleandfemale,white
gayandstraight,
and Indian,youngandold.Whatcan
youtell us aboutthe processof creating
suchdifferentcharacters?
Forme,the fun part of writinga novelis
oftenaboutthe skin of the protagonist
I haveto inhabit.Writingin the voiceof
AndreBernard,a gaywhite manliving
in NewYork,in myfirst novel,waslike
makinga journeyinto his escapades.
Grapplingwith a maincharacterlike Prem
Rustum,whois 75,wassobering.Premis
comingto termswith his mortalityin [my
third book,]ThatSummerin Paris,and
reflectingon his past.I usedmy instincts
writingthe book,but afterthe first draft
wasdoneI actuallydid interviewsand
spoketo oldermento vet the character.
Gettinginto Prem'sskin meantlooking
at the worldthroughhis eyesandthe
weightof his past.Often,whileI amin the
throesof a novel,the charactersinvade
meso muchthat I ceaseto havemyown
emotionalexistence.Whenthis happens
it is almostspiritual,sincethereis a real
overcomingof the self.
oft Babyji,
Theteenageprotagonis
usesherpoweras
Sharma,
Anamlka
headprefectto bestowfavorsand
in sexual
engages
e
manipulatpeople,
of her
activitywithoutthefullconsent
partnerandhideshersexualrelationwomen.Howhave
shipswithvarious
to her?
readersresponded
I think eachreadercomesto the book
with his or her ownvision.Hercharacter,
like Prem'sin ThatSummerin Parisand
is drawnout in
Andre'sin Miniplanner,
shadesof grayratherthanblackand
, is unableto live
white.Sometimesshe
up to her ownwell-meaningintentions
towardher lover,Rani,whileat other
timesshedoes.Onthe onehand,Anamika
wishesto be utterlyfree of the restrictions
of hersociety,butthe weightof social
a:
w
cc reality,the economicdifferencebetween
.Gj
lJ..
herselfandRaniandevenRani'scaste
Cl
:::,
<(
proveto weighheavilyat moments.There
z
~
is alsothe questionof power,whichis at
oncebothseductiveandanti-democratic.
Partof Anamika'sdesireto leavea
like India'scomes
l
hierarchicasociety
fromwantingto goto a countrywhere
everyoneis equal,notjust in the eyesof
the law,but alsoin its socialmores.
a MayThatSummerin Parisconcerns
a famod
ip
between
er
to-Decembrelationsh
female
malewriterandanaspiring
youpreferto
,
would
writer.Personally
ofyourstatus,your
bedesiredbecause
intellector your physicalappearance?
thatpeople
I thinkit is almostuniversal
wishto bedesiredfor qualitiestheyfeel
In
to deserve.
theyhavedonesomething
thosethreequalitiesmean
differentsocieties,
status
differentthings.In India,for example,
is inherited,whereasin the U.S.,it can
be acquiredandreflectone'sownhard
Desiringmeans
work andachievement.
differentthingsin thesetwo societies.
Intellect,evenif partiallyinheritedand
partlynurtured,is thensomethingonehas
to striveto shape.Physicalappearance
for a danceris a verydifferentexpression
thanfor someonewhoisn't involvedin a
I'd settlefor
physicalpractice.Personally,
in my
factor
preferred
the
mywritingas
life. [NaimeHoltz]
I
Women's resorts, bars,
cafes, bookstores & more,
across ttie us,icanada,
Europe &:beyond.
I I
I
I
I
I
l
Rius lesbian cruises &
tou s, women's festivals,
I I pride celebrations, •
.--.- fllm fests,
LGBT
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I1
I
REVIEWSMusic Watch
Sin a Son
Channel your inner diva with these sing-along sounds. By Margaret Coble
A FineSetof Fools,Nicole
Reynolds
(self-released}:
"Hermaphrodite
sexis
amazing."
Sogoesa linefrom
"Earthworms,"
a meandering
tuneonNicoleReynolds'
mostrecentalbum,A Fine
Setof Fools.
This16-track
discexhibitstheyoungbut
talentedsinger-songwriter's
knackfor melody,hookand
harmony.
Reynolds'
voicesimultaneously
wispyand
childlike,butnotchildish-is
coupledwitha lyrical
earnestness
bordering
on
poetic.Reynolds
is seemingly
unafraidof vulnerability,
and
herlyricsinvitethe listener
in for a warm,awkward
hugyoucan'trefuse.Her It's a rare album that makes me want to sing at the top Zimbabwean frontwoman
songsmovebetweenlove of my lungs (which I'm sure my partner is thankful for).
andlonging,
folkycomfort Recent releases by Laura Love and Orville Johnson, Shingai Shoniwa is one of the
andexistentiat
wanderings, Noisettes and Nellie McKay fit the bill, though.
mountain
storytelling
and They're filled with soaring melodies and infectious most original, eclectic vocalists aninexplicable
obsession vocal
hooks that inspire even the tone~deaf (like me)
withthesea.Byreleasing
to come along in ages.
to sing out loud. Glee!
herfourthalbuminjustover
threeyears,Reynolds
maybe
TheSweetertheJuice,LauraLoveandOrvilleJohnson Chariot;' civil rights~era mainstays like "We Shall
runningtheriskof puttingout
(Octoroon.
Biography/OJM}:
toomuchtoofast-only time
Laura Love's unique hybrid Not Be Moved/Stayed on Freedom" and bluegrass
will tell.Fornow,closeyour of bluegrass, funk and folk has long been a favorite of standards like "Cotton eyed Joe;' which segues into
eyesandlet hersongswhisk mine. This 11th album release features Love pairing the country standard "Ruby (Are You Mad at Your
youawayto a ruralfarmhouse up with her frequent collaborator Orville Johnson,
Man?):' All the tracks are taken from the many live
whereeveryone
is happily,
the Seattle~based master of country~blues dobro sets that Love and Johnson have performed together,
humblyandaffectionately
guitar. The interplay of Johnson's fingerpicking and and their familiarity with and love of these gems is
gathered
aroundthefire.
(nicolereynolds-music.
com) Love's distinctive bass is a perfect match, but it's their obvious. I can't help but bellow along. (lauralove.net)
[AshGoddard] powerful vocals that really shine on this set. The
if)
lO~cut disc features a few songs from Love's last disc, Wild YoungHearts, Noisettes(Mercury/Universal}:
§
Negrass (the yodeling "Passin' " and the dirge "Load Noisettes are a London~based trio who stormed ~
Up;' which segues into the civil rights anthem "Eyes the U.K. music scene in 2007 with their debut ~!5,
on the Prize"), as well as 2008's presidential campaign What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? This sophomore disc ~Cl
ode "Yes We Can:' The bulk of the disc, however, continues to get them widespread recognition in ~
:r:
sports well~worn spirtuals like "Swing Low, Sweet the United States, thanks to their pop~perfect ~
56
I curve
blend of garage rock, '60s
R&B and soul, '70s disco
and glam rock and '80s new
wave. Zimbabwean frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa
is one_of the most original,
eclectic vocalists to come
along in ages, evoking everyone from Billie Holiday
to Eartha Kitt, Blondie,
Amy Winehouse and Lady
Gaga, often within the
NelHeMcKay
same song. I'm particularly
fond of the simpler, mellow
fare like the dreamy "Atticus" and the
acoustic "Sometimes;' but the jumpy, handclapping tide track, girl-group sounds of
"Never Forget You;• four-on-the-floor
club anthem "Don't Upset the Rhythm"
"Saturday
and synth-and-cowbell-heavy
Night" all exhibit the band's mastery of the
vocal hook. I guarantee you'll find it hard
to resist the urge to hum, whistle or even
warble along. ( noisettes.net)
to
Pie:A Tribute
asBlueberry
Normal
Fans
(Verve}:
DorisDay,NellieMcKay
of this eclectic,outspoken, Englishborn New York singer might be
surprised at this irony-free tribute
to 'J\merica's Sweetheart;' but in
her typically subversive fashion,
McKay shines a loving spotlight
on the strength of a woman
who-though always seen smiling
during her stellar recording, film
and TV career-suffered abusive
husbands, personal trials and
financial woes. From the tinkling
keys of "The Very Thought Of You" to
the breathy WWII homecoming anthem
"Sentimental Journey" to the dreamy '60s
classic "Send Me No Flowers;• it's all about
the power of songwriting and vocal delivery.
"If Ever I Had a Dream" is the only McKay
original on the disc, written for Day in honor
of her animal activism (which McKay shares).
All I have to say is, who doesn't like a Doris
Day song? (nelliemckay.com) ■
withFriends
FunShopping
•l/
Reviews: real opinions
X
Sexis magazine:
discover your own is
from real people
.....:t___
,,r,
~,.-
A!J Speak up:
forums and polls
JII
Connect to toy
makers: Edenlink
Fun to follow:
EdenCafe blog
Get personal:
interviews
www.edenfantasys.com
(800) 350-9050 Mon-Fr 8 am-4 pm ET
@
edenfantasys
facebook@ edenfantasys
Jungle
Concrete
Nneka
(YoMama/Decon/
Epic)
Allin One
BehelGilberto
(Verve)
Themultitalented
of the
Alreadybeinglauded daughter
asthe newLauryn
bossanova
Brazilian
Hillor ErykahBadu,
legendJoaoGilberto
this Nigerian-German andthesingerMiucha
dynamomakesher
returnswithherfourth
U.S.debutwitha
solostudioalbum,sung
genre-smashing
mostlyin Portuguese
12-cutcollectionof
andfilledwithher
hip-hop,soul,reggae trademarkblendof
Lush, Brazilian
andelectronica.
rhythmsand
production.
intelligentandfilled
electronic
withlove,hopeand
It's moreatmospheric
thisalbum anddreamythansome
optimism,
is a tributeto the
of herpasteffortsontheStevie
peopleof Warriandthe especially
cover,"The
NigerDeltaof Nigeria, Wonder
whereNnekais from. RealThing,"which
Beautifulandbold.
is a bit abstractand
comlnneka- undanceable.
(bebelgil(myspace.
world)
berto.com)
Girlsin Trouble
Girlsin Trouble
(JDUB)
PinkElephant
N'Dambi
(Stax)
former
ThisDallas-born
is
Girlsin Trouble
ErykahBadubackup
AliciaJo Rabins,a
singermakesher
trained,
classically
indiefolk-punkJewish debutonthelegendary
Seminary imprintStaxwitha
Theological
12-cutset
graduatewhodecided gorgeous
of elegantandsensual
tellingthe storiesof
theforgottenwomen soul.A giftedstoryteller,
mostof hersongs
of theTorahthrough
areobservational
songwouldbefun.
aboutothers'
vignettes
she's
Remarkably,
lives.Theopening,
right.Themusicis
"L.I.E.,"is abouta
her
mesmerizing,
vocalsaretenderand manlivinga double
lifealongtheLong
hauntinglymelodic
and
IslandExpressway,
andthe lyricsmix
hip-hopper
'80s
the
with
historicaltales
Jones"is
candor. "Nobody
confessional
I can'tstoplistening. abouta girlfromthe
(myspace.com/girlsin-ghettowhodreamsbig.
com)
(ndambionline.
troublemusic)
•
REVIEWSIn the Stacks
._
Thisyearcurve celebrates
our2othanniversary
bylooking
backatthewomen
whoinspired
usthen.
Twenty
yearsago,AlixDobkin
wasa seminal
womyn's
musician,
TerryCastle
a hotshot
Stanford
profandBreedlove
fronted
thesubversive
andbrashall-female
punkbandTribe8, knownfor
theirprovacative
stageperformances
whereshefrequently
perfonned
topless,
sporting
a
strap-on,
creating
a queercore,
counterculture
response
towomyn's
music.
Stri.kin a Chord
Alix Dobkin and Lynnee Breedlove take to the page. By Rachel Pepper
TheProfessor
andOther
Writings,
TerryCastle
(HarperCollins):
A collection
of sixrecent
essaysfromthisStanford
professor
andLambda
LiteraryAwardwinner,
TheProfessor
is a hybrid
of memoirandcriticism
containingequalmeasures
of
goodhumor,snarkandselfdeprecation.
Thecenterpiece
is a lengthydissection
of
Castle'srelationship
with
a femaleprofessor
during
hercollegeyears,which,
thoughrevealing
andwitty,is
sometimes
self-indulgently
obsessive.
Butshemakes
upfor it withpieceslike"My
HeroinChristmas,"
a lookat
addiction
andfamilyrelations
toldthrougha tributeto the
jazzsaxophonist
ArtPepper,
and"Travels
WithMyMother,"
whichagainmixesa very
personal
accountof Castle's
familialrelationships
with
a moreformalanalysisof
thepainterAgnesMartin.
Thisformidable
academic
courageously
opensa window
onherownself-doubt,
all
thewhiledemonstrating
her
strikingclarityof thoughtand
a refreshing
abilityto nottake
herselftooseriously.
(harpercollins.com)
[Rachel
Beebe]
ss I curve
Two pioneering singer-songwriters turn to prose for
a unique take on politics, identity and queer community.
Lynnee Breedlove· tackles gender identity and
sexuality and Alix Dobkin.reflects on her life before
she became a fixture on the women's music scene.
and against transitioning.
This is a slim book you can read in one sitting, but
it's best to draw it out by savoring each morsel and
enjoying the themes it explores. Most notably, these
include deliberations on transitioning from female
, to male; Breedlove's favorite little person, nicknamed
LynneeBreedlove's
OneFreakShow,LynnBreedlove "The Biz"; and family-both biological and chosen.
(ManicD Press):
Lynnee Breedlove may be best known
Breedlove also pays homage to the pioneering
as the lead singer of the legendary and now-defunct
lesbian activists and longtime lovers Del Martin and
dyke punk band Tribe 8. But the performer is also Phyllis Lyon in"Goin' to the Chapel;' which Breedlove
an author with considerable literary talent. Having
hopes to expand into a longer work of "quistorY:'This
written most of the songs in Tribe S's canon, Breedlove project would likely include other important queer
has a fl.air for pushing boundaries and a uniquely
folks, such as James Baldwin, Rita Mae Brown,
queer, s.narky style of hilarious understatement.
Harry Hay and Audre Lorde, says Breedlove, and
So it's no surprise that Lynnee Breedlove's One Freak "be from the perspective of a guy whose transition
Show is an enjoyable, rapid-fire read.
was bri~fly interrupted by 30 years of feminism:'
No stranger to prose, Breedlove is also the author
In the meantime, readers will enjoy exploring
of the acclaimed novel Godspeed, which came out Breedlove'stake on some rarely discussed gender issues
in 2002 and made critics sit up and take notice of in Lynnee Breedlove'sOne Freak Show, and will probably
Breedlove's multifaceted talents.
laugh out loud while doing so. (manicdpress.com)
This newer work is a collection inspired in part
by Breedlove's recent tour of "One Freak Show" My·RedBlood,
AlixDobkin(Alyson):
Alix Dobkin was
and "Confessions of a Poser:' Two of the best an integral figure in the women's music scene that
chapters are 'J\lphabet City," a riff on the varied, boomed in the late 1970s through the 1980s. In 1973,
and seemingly increasing, number of components
Dobkin became the first artist to release an openly
of the gay community, and "Confused, Confused,
lesbian record, Lavender Jane Loves Women, which
Don't Wanna Be Confused;' which lists reasons for helped birth a new and empowering sapphic-centered
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musical and cultural movement.
Dobkin is now a grandmother living
in upstate New York, and there are many
longtime fans who would appreciate an
autobiography that recounted her version
of this movement.
This autobiography, however, does
not tell that story. Instead, it recounts
Dobkins youth, from "red diaper baby"
through her childhood friendships, camp
days, musical beginnings, marriage and
motherhood. And then, just as the book is
getting to the significant gay stuff, it ends.
That is not to say that the early years of her
life aren't interesting. Her upbringing was
unusual, and the book is told enthusiastically,in short, interlinked vignettes.
A child of Jewish communist intellectuals
who were friends with fellow leftists and
celebrities like Paul Robeson, Dobkin had
an essentially happy childhood. Her first
feelings for women were clear by adolescence, but she had no framework in which
to place them.
While spending time with a woman she
adored, she writes that she "did not look
kindly upon anyone mistaking Nancy and
me for lesbians. Clearly we were nor:' Yet,
she writes, "My introduction to women
• who made their lives with other women
was stunning, enthralling, intoxicating:'
Eventually learning to play the guitar
and setting her sights on a career in music,
Dobkin married producer Sam Hood,
who managed clubs like New York's
famous Gaslight Cafe. Rubbing shoulders
with the legendary musicians of the day
(including Bob Dylan, who called her his
favorite woman folksinger), Dobkin had
a child, kept chasing around the edges of
her musical dreams and grew discontented
with her life. Back in New York City, she
joined a women's consciousness-raising
group, read feminist literature and one day
realized that "men had disappeared from
[her] life:'
Her first solid lesbian relationship
soon followed and, in 1973, she released
Lavender Jane, ushering in what she calls
"the golden age of women's music:'
Sadly, two pages later, the book ends.
If you're looking for the backstory of
a significant figure in the LGBT movement, consider My Red Blood a must.
For gossip about your favorite founding
musical mothers, it's best to look somewhere else. (alyson.com)■
Confession is Go.od for the Soul
The tell-all memoir trend brings us three books that will
satisfy your morbid curiosities.
Confessional memoirs have become
a literary fad and, even after some
less truthful ones (ahem, James Frey),
publishers continue to roll them out.
Seal Press is no exception, with three
new books in this vein. Lucky for us,
they have queer content we can sink
our literary teeth into.
Catherine McCaWs When the Piano
Stops reveals the dark and traumatic
events of her youth as the memories
of her sexually abusive father and
alcoholic mother begin to flood back
into her consciousness years later.
While the book can be hard to read
at times, McCall is an insightful writer
and even those who have never
faced this kind of abuse will learn
about inner strength and emotional
healing from her harrowing tale.
Nicole Johns' Purge, which has
been compared to the film Girl,
Interrupted, reads like a diary account
of the 88 days she spent in an eating
disorder treatment facility. While
Drenched
MarisaMatarazzo
(SoftSkullPress)
there, Johns battles
her eating disorder (a
combination of anorexia
and bulimia) by tackling
her thoughts about body image,
sexuality, relationships and a past
sexual assault. There is no Disneyesque happy ending or sugarcoating
going on here; Johns' writing is •
vivid and to the point, creating an
atmosphere of stark realism and a
sometimes darkly comic window into
her world.
Ask Me About My Divorce is a
collection of 29 essays on the trials of
marriage and divorce. While nearly all
the stories, edited by Candace Walsh,
are about traditional marriages, there
is one queer gem to be found among
the rest.
Regardless, accounts of women
finding the strength to leave bad or
abusive relationships will resonate
with everyone. (seal-press.com)
[ArielMessman-Rucker]
ExitMay BangDitto
andVirginia TheNearest
Vanessa
AmberTamblyn
BeBehindYou
SusanSellers
Mifflin
(Houghton
Harcourt)
A steamyyet bizarre
takeon infatuation
Thisnovelfollows
andsex,Matarazzo's VirginiaWoolfandher
shortstoriesexplore sister,Vanessa,
from
the TwilightZoneof
theirtroubledchildhood
sexualchemistry.
at HydeParkGate
PictureHunterS.
throughtheircreative
as a hot,
Thompson.
adultlivesamongthe
youngwomanon the infamous
andsexually
pathto sexualexplo- liberatedBloomsbury
rationandthat is the
circle.Incest,madness
love
essenceof Matarazzo, andhomoerotic
whowritesas if
arejust a fewof the
thereis no destinaissuesthatSellers
tion,just thejourney navigates
in thisstunitself.(softsku/1.com) ningwork.(hmh[BrianaHernandez] co.com)[LisaGunther]
S. BearBergman
PulpPress)
(Arsenal
(ManicD Press)
ThoughTamblynis
betterknownfor her
A secondcollection
of autobiographical actingthanherpoetry,
calleeessayson genderand this remarkable
identityby Bergman, tionshowsoff herskill
withwry metaphors
whosetransmascuandincisivelanguage
linegenderidentity
in poemslike"RunOn"
as
is bestdescribed
"post,"andwhowrites ("Whydidn'tanyone
tell me/thatvaginasare
about
unabashedly
likesmalltowns/really
fromgay
everything
onlygoodfor passing
to
men'sbathhouses
This through/inthe middle
lesbianpotlucks.
of the night/when
is gendertheoryat its
(arse- noone'slooking...").
mostaccessible.
Brilliant.(manicd[Diane
nalpulp.com)
[DAM]
Anderson-Minshall] press.com)
March 2010
I59
REVIEWSSapphic Screen
Takin
the Camera
Two docs for women, by women. By Candace Moore
WandaSykes:/'maBeMe
(HBO):In herfirstTVspecial
sincecomingoutasa lesbian
in 2008,WandaSykes
continues
to dominate
the
worldof stand-upcomedy
with Wanda
Sykes:/'maBe
Me.Covering
everything
from
entertaining
ona gaycruise
to themetricsystem,no
topicis spared,or sacred.
Whilethereis muchof the
outspoken,
unflinching
Sykeshere(remember
whenshespurred
controversy
withher
appearance
at theWhite
HouseCorrespondents'
Dinner,
whereshecalledto
taskeveryone
fromRush
Limbaugh
to SarahPalin?)
Nowouton DVD,/'ma
alsoshowsSykes'softer
side,particularly
whenthe
newmothertalksabouther
twinsandherwife.Hilarious,
raunc~y
andinsightful,
Sykes
commands
thestage_
in this
no-holds-barred
show.Don't
missit-but domakesure
thekiddosaretuckedinto
bedfirst.(hbo.com)
[Rachel
Shatto]
60
Icurve
Two verydifferent documentaries
remind us that our stories are best
told through our own lens.
Finding
Dawn(Women
MakeMovies):
Director Christine
Welsh takes on a challenging,harrowing and ultimately
healing project: bringing to light the story of some 500
missing or murdered Canadian aboriginal women.
Because such a task is overwhelming-if not impossible-Welsh starts with the search for one women,
Dawn C_rey, who disappeared from Vancouver's
downtown East Side and whose DNA was later
discovered at a mass gravesite in a farmer's field.
Rather than focus on her murderer, John
Crawford, one of Canada's grizzliest serial killers,
Welsh instead focuses on telling the story of the
victims and their families. Her camera captures the
Women's Memorial March organized each Valentine's
Day to mourn the sisters, mothers, lovers and friends
who are on Canada's missing women's list. Welsh's
initial exploration of women who disappeared from
Vancouver's poorest neighborhood expands into a
larger topic: how Native women-stereotyped
as
"squaws"-are targeted as victims throughout the
country and how the authorities tend to be slow to
act on their behalf. This is a moving documentary in
which the victims seem to haunt the open expanses
and craggy terrain that Welsh travels in search of
answers. (wmm.com)
Lavender
Limelight:
Lesbians
infi/m(FirstRunFeatures):
This award-winning documentary provides wonderful insight into the inspirations, aspirations and
major aesthetic and content-based concerns of seven
groundbreaking lesbian filmmakers. Featuring interviews as well as carefully chosen clips from each of its
subjects' films, Lavender Limelight is an outstanding
introduction to the work of our finest queer auteurs.
Jennie Livingston reveals that she was introduced to
voguing-the inspiration for her first film, Paris Is
• '{if•
Lavender Limelight is an
outstanding introduction
LU
~
~
z
a:
0
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LU
to the work of our finest
queer auteurs.
~
z
:5
cc
(!)
~
()
Q+A
Crystal Chappell
Burning-by chance, while walking through
Washington Square Park; Rose Troche
describes her fascination with experimental
narratives and art house cinema, interests
that drove the construction of Go Fish, one
of the most successful independent lesbian
features of the early '90s; Monika T reut dis,
cusses her S/M,inspired works, both fictional
and documentary; Maria Maggenti speaks
frankly about how her
small budget and short
shooting schedule influ,
enced the love scenes
in The Incredibly True
Adventure of Two Girls
in Love; and Heather
Lyn MacDonald con,
her film
textualizes
Ballot Measure 9. The
from
clips included
experimental filmmaker
Su Friedrich's Hide and Seek and Damned
if You Don't are beautiful to behold, and
director Cheryl Dunye caps off the film
with a history of the Dunyementary and
clips from her early shorts and her first
feature, The Watermelon Woman. Theatrically
released in 1996, this recent DVD release
is a must,have for the lesbian cinephile.
(.firstrunfeatures.com)■
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t
In the final season
of the long,running
soap Guiding Light,
0 livia Spencer,_played
by Crystal Chappell,
surprised herself and
millions of fans when
she fell in love with
Jessica Leccia's character,
Natalia Rivera. The duo
went on to become one
of daytime's most beloved super couples
and, like other favorite entertainment
couples, were known by their combined
name- "Oralia:' When the show went
off the air in late 2009, neither Chappell
nor the fans were ready to say goodbye to
the lezzie duo. Chappell heard the cries
of lesbian soap fans and created Venice,
a steamy new web soap that reunites
Chappell and Leccia as the star,crossed
lovers Gina and Ani. Though only in its
infancy, Venice is already one of the most
buzzed,about new Internet shows.
your
Howdidyoureactwhenyoulearned
wasgoingtokissa gin-and likeit?
character
Oh, I was thrilled. [Guiding Light co,head
writer] Jill Lorie Hurst and I had kicked
the idea around for years. We always
thought that Olivia might end up with a
woman ... ! hadn't been that excited about
. a story line in a very long time.
Howdidyouprepareforthestoryline?
I have a huge gay friend base, so I didn't
feel like I had to do a great deal of
research. It was mostly, for me, a love
story. I've had a love story in my real life,
and I've certainly played them on television,
so I really didn't feel I needed to do too
much research to tell a love story. I did
talk to some of my gay friends, and they
told me about how they came out and
when they realized they were gay and
what that felt like.
lesbianstorylineinspiredby
Is Venice's
Otaliafans?
It was totally inspired by them. I was
completely invested in Oralia and
always will be. I couldn't quite let it go.
[JameyGiddens]
March 2010
I61
/
REVIEWSTech Girl
BrazenBandwidth
Ten must-stream lesbian-themed web series. By Briana Hernandez
SUBMERGED
SOUNDS
Getthegym'spoolgrooving
witha few lapsusingthe
SwiMP3,
whichoffersthe
thingyourunderwater
workouthasbeenmissing:a
soundtrack.
Thiswaterproof
musicplayerattaches
to
yourgogglessothatits
padsreston the sidesof
yourface.Utilizingbone
conductiontechnology,
it sendstheaudiowaves
throughyourcheekbones
to
youreardrums.
It maysound
likesciencefiction,butthe
resultingsoundqualityis
far frommake-believe.
The
SwiMP3is rechargeable,
iTunes-compatible
and
comeswith1GBof storage
space(approximately
250
songs)-plentyof.
roomfor all your
favoritemotivational
tunes,makingthis
gizmoa dream
cometruefor all you
waterbabies.($150,
finisinc.com)
[RachelShatto]
Network television may be making strides in incorporating lesbians into its programming, but the Internet
is really where it's at for quality queer series. Here are
10 of our faves to stream to your heart's content.
ease and who might not. The setting and characters
exemplify the struggle of growing up gay in America,
and Hip-Flores and Pacent are compelling on-screen
lovers who will make you reminisce about the first
time you fell in love. (anyonebutmeseries.com)
WeHaveToStopNow:A married lesbian couple who
are therapists and co-authors of the No. 1 book on .SeekingSimone:Anyone who's
sustaining a successful marriage now find themselves looked for a date online (and who
on the verge of divorce, all hasn't?) will instantly identify
while under surveillance with Simone's comically tragic
by a documentary film plight. Co-creator and star Renee
crew. To save face, they're Olbert brings a na'ive charm to
forced to take a dose Simone, a Toronto transplant
of their own medicine: with a broken heart. From pickcouples therapy. Stars ing a username (CatLover? CampingCatLover?
Cathy DeBuono and WellOfLoneliness64?) to searching for a profile
Jill Bennett are joined picture that isn't so outdated it qualifies as fraud,
by Suzanne Westenhoefer in this all-too-real series Simone plunges headfirst into the world of Internet
depicting a marriage gone awry. (wehavetostopnow.tv) love. (seekingsimone.com)
eu
~
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AnyoneBut Me: Vivian (Rachael Hip-Flores) is a
teen forced to leave her New York
City stomping· ground and the
girl she loves, the stunning miniAngelina, Aster (Nicole Pacent).
Tossed into a suburban backdrop, she slowly discovers who
will accept her orientation with
62
Icurve
~
Girltrash/:Behold the timeless story of Bonnie . ~<(.
and ... Connie? Best friends and literal partners in crime, Tyler (Michelle
Lombardo) and Daisy (Lisa Rieffel)
find themselves between a rock and a
hard place when a gang war complicates
their already edgy lifestyle. Girltrash!
also stars the _legendary Margaret Cho,
~
8
z
~
~
UJ
~
ai
~
as well as Amber Benson, Rose Rollins,
Clementine Ford and several other gay gal
faves. It's a must-see if you love a little criminal
element in heels. (girltrashonline.com)
The Loversand FriendsShow: With an
entirely African American and Latina cast,
this show features one group in the LGBT
community that is too often overlooked:
lesbians of color. Lovers takes the characters
through the typical drama-filled barrage of
romantic issues and it has sex appeal to boot.
Two things that make this series stand out:
the exploration of a newbie lesbian, Lisa
(Kendall Starr) and the cocky butchie Dre
(Shakelia Tharpe) who evokes Queen Latifah
ala Set It Off. (insyteproductions.com)
Apples: No need to brush up on your
clerk discovers she is the only one in the
universe who has a hope of rescuing the
time-space continuum, from the elite group
abusing it. Drysdale must stop them and
while she may not be a Van Damme-style
badass, Drysdale certainly wields power over
ladies of any decade. (afterellen.com/video/
timetravelinglesbian)
Espanol in order to watch this internovela;
translated webisodes are available on
YouTube. Following the lives of a group of
hot lesbian students, Apples has a feel similar
to Friends because of the setti~g. The co-eds
all live in the same building and are constantly
in each other's homes, but the results are
Far Out.Dubbed the lesbian Queer As Folk,
a lot dirtier. We're talking orgies, people.
( apples.scl 0.co.uk)
the United Kingdom's first-ever lesbian web
series, Far Out, captures the sexual triumphs,
relationship woes and dating follies of a pack
of London lovelies in the club scene. In the
first webisode, Grace (Wendy Allan) musters
the courage to tap a strange woman on the
shoulder and tell her she wants to meet her
because she looks interesting ... not like all
"pretty girls:• Oops. (farouttv.co.uk)
te
Feed:Director Mel Robertson delivers this
edgy and chilling critique on mainstream
media. When Maura (Amanda Deibert)
stumbles upon a brutal attack, her gut
instinct is not to phone for help, but to point
and shoot with her most powerful weapon: her
video camera. Maura finds herself dubbed a
"media vigilante" after she posts the attack
on a video-streaming site, and her troubles
only escalate from there. (afterellen.com)
ChicaBuscaChica(Girl Meets Girl):This
sexy award-winning series from Spain
is a parade of scoundrels, both gay and
straight. The needy Monica (Cristina
Pons) thinks it is perfectly sensible to
allow a sultry bartender to move into her
apartment after their first date, her best
friend Carmen (Sandra Collantes) urges
he~ to come to her senses despite her own
qoyfriend's serial infidelity. A must-watch
drama fest. (veoh.com) ■
TheTimeTraveling
Lesbian:
Comic Rebecca
Drysdale plays herself in this silly but wickedawesome series.in which a jaded video rental
curve
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Fertility and life is the rose. the sublime blossom.
the womb from which all enter the world.
Embrace your magnificent feminine self.
Enjoy family.
Enjoy life.
www femtnlneprinciples.com
. March 2010 j 63
...
WELOVE
TOPTENREASONS
RenitaMartin
This theater luminary makes an impact onstage and off.
By Stephanie Schroeder
1. She'scommittedto the arts and to youth.
After being in the arts scene for almost two
decades, she is absolutely committed to helping
others-especially youth-learn, grow, create
and recognize their own artistic potential.
Martin
7. She givesbackto the community.
founded Write to Life, an organization that
supplies books, pens, pencils and paper to
children in India and West Africa. "What's
the point of going to school if there are no
supplies?" asks Martin, rhetorically. "When
kids beg in India and Africa, they ask for
pencils and paper, not money or food. They
are starved for learning:' She also works with
underprivileged youth at Inside Broadway, a
down.
her
keep
brother
big
let
3. Shedoesn't
non-profit children's theater company.
airport
the
at
searched
and
Being detained
who
artist,
the
for
is a regular occurrence
8. She'snot a goodsororitygirl. In her solo
says her skin color and sexuality, along with
Step Sistah, Martin tackles the sexy
play,
offenders
juvenile
working with drug users,
of stepping (a tradition among African
roots
suspect.
particularly
and prisoners make her
sororities and fraternities),
American
governBut Martin doesn't let discriminatory
the internalized racism and
with
along
experiences
uses
ments stop her. Instead, she
in those same institutions. At
homophobia
like this to fuel her artistic flames.
the end of her performance, the audience
4. She'swickedsmart.With a Bachelor of is given the "brown paper bag" test-a test
historically used by upper-class blacks to
Arts in African and African America studies
decide if a black person was light skinned
Fine
from Boston University and a Master of
enough to be accepted. If your skin was
she
Arts in playwriting from Brandeis, where
darker than a brown paper bag, you weren't
was the only woman of color in the program,
Martin has academic street cred. She says in. This practice was commonly used by
black sororities and fraternities.
she's also a graduate of the prestigious School
of Hard Knocks-which is where she really
9. Art is her day job. Martin pays her rent
learned to create, give back and give thanks.
teaching arts to youth, while continuing to
5. She'sspirituallyevolved.Though she was write and perform regularly. She has worked
raised in Mississippi by a religious family, with •such luminaries like Clinton Turner
Davis, who directed Step Sistah, and Angelina
Martin shuns organized religion and the
homophobia, racism, sexism and exclusivity Fiordellisi, the founder and artistic director
often associated with it. "Traditional reli- of Cherry Lane Theatre.
gion separates gays and lesbians from God
10. She'scomingto a theaternearyou.Blue
and divinity and makes that unavailable to
Fire on the Water, a musical about blues
us by telling us 'God hates you: This is the
musicians and the city of New Orleans
inverse of what God's love is supposed to
before, during and after Hurricane Katrina ~g
be;' she argues.
will be at the Theater Offensive in Boston in U::
~
6. Shelivesby example.'Tm out wherever I November 2011. ■
2. She'san out black lesbianwho worksat
a Catholicgirl's school.Martin directs the
choir at a local Catholic high school. She's
the "resident lesbian;' and her door is open
to queer and questioning students in a place
that might not otherwise be as accepting of
their sexual identities.
Renita Martin, the founder and
director of Rhythm Visions
Production Company, Inc., is
dedicated to bringing a full menu
of professional productions
and arts education programs
to communities of color around
the globe. Martin is a playwright,
solo performer, musician, actor
and arts educator, as well as
a teacher who works with
everyone from private clients
to juvenile ex-offenders and
prisoners. Martin pushes the
envelope in her writing and·
performing by challenging
stereotypes about race, class
and sexuality-even, perhaps
especially, in communities
of color.
64
Icurve
am, and I am sure my relationship to both
• my sexuality and my spirituality is something bigger than me and is what people see
that makes them accept me;' says Martin.
Take
a break
where
anything
goes.
VisitLasVegas.com/gaytravel
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