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Description
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ToC A Rainbow Wedding by Merryn Johns (p46); Silver Linings by Laurie K. Schenden (p48); Lady Sings the Truth by Elizabeth Estochen (p50); Alien Encounter by Dar Dowling (p53); Rock and Ruin by Elizabeth Estochen (p60); A Lesbian Lens by Ivana Ford (p62); Cover: Punch Drunk Love: Liz Carmouche (p66); Rock Steady by Jenny Block (p72). Cover Photo by Jim Kemper/Zuffa LLC/UFC.
See all items with this value
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issue
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7
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Date Issued
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September 2013
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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_Vol23_No7_September-2013_OCR_PDFa.pdf
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extracted text
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E BEST-SELLING
LESBIAN MAGAZINE
WHY
WE'RE
WILD
FOR LIZ
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CURVEMAG.COM
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SEPTEMBER 2013 VOLUME 23#7
large dog
Topicalprevention
andtreatmentof
ticks,fleas,mosquitoes,
bitingfliesandlice
for monthlyuseondogsandpuppies
7 weeksof ageandolder,
weighing21-55 lbs.
K9ADVANTIX
II ISFOR
USE
ONDOGS
ONLY.
.
~
aterproo
•
150 Years
Science For A
Better Life
©2013 Bayer HealthCareLLC,Animal HealthDivision,ShawneeMission, KS66201. Bayer,the BayerCrossand
Kl 3951
K9 Advantix are registeredtrademarksof Bayer.Frontlineis a registeredtrademark of Merial.
SEPTEMBER
2013
FEATURES
~JO
A RAINBOW WEDDING
Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele's
colorful union. By Merryn Johns
~,s
SILVER LININGS
Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis
is back with the lesbian
performance of a lifetime.
By Laurie K. Schenden
50
LADY SINGS THE TRUTH
Singer Monifah Carter on
being out, coming back
and doing it all on TV.
By Elizabeth Estochen
53
ALIEN ENCOUNTER
Syfy star Jaime Murray
has made a career
bringing our fantasies
to life, and she likes it
that way. By Dar Dowling
60
ROCK AND RUIN
Riot Grrrl princess
Kathleen Hanna returns
with her new band,
The Julie Ruin.
By Elizabeth Estochen
62
A LESBIAN LENS
The politics of
representation
through the eyes
of a lesbian photographer and woman
of color. By Ivana Ford
72
ROCK STEADY
How one writer took the
challenge to overcome her
fears. By Jenny Block
COVER PHOTO BY JIM KEMPER/ZUFFA
LLC/UFC
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
1
SEPTEMBER
2013
12
IN EVERYISSUE
6
EDITOR'S NOTE
8
FEEDBACK
10
CURVETTES
12
THE GAYDAR
24
SCENE
80
STARS
14
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////A
TRENDS
REVIEWS
13 THIS IS WHAT A
LESBIAN LOOKS LIKE
27
14
HOT TEE
16
LESBOFILE
17
SHE SAID
29
Meet this month's It girl.
VIEWS
18
OUT IN FRONT
18 IN CASE YOU MISSED
IT ... Monthly news from
across the country.
19
POLITICS
Why are celebrities so
important to us? A personal
and political look at high
profile lezzies and their
connection to our lives.
By Victoria A. Brownworth
21
ADVICE
Both DOMA and Prop. 8 have
been defeated. But where
does our latest marriage
equality victory really leave
us? By Temma Ehrenfeld
23
LIPSTICK & DIPSTICK
26
THE TWO OF US
Our monthly profile of lesbian
couples who live, love and
work together.
2
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
MUSIC
Antigone Rising are rockin'
and rising, raising families
and setting the live
music circuit on fire.
By Stephanie Schroeder
BOOKS
Sassy sex author and educator
Tristan Taormina is back with
her political take on pleasure
and porn. By Dar Dowling
31
FILM
Jamie Babbit is crashing the
Hollywood boys club with
her Sapphic savvy and
cleverly directed projects.
By Kathleen Wilkinson
STYLE
34
STAR POWER
The soon-to-be-wed British
fashionistas are back with
looks inspired by two of
their favorite female icons,
Pink and Debbie Harry.
By Stella and Lucy
38
STYLE DYKONS
We're still wild about
tomboy couturiers Wildfang
and their celebrity-inspired
line, Icons. By Rachel Shatto
IFTALKING
ABOUT
WIPING
YOUR
BUM
MAKES
YOU
UNCOMFORTABLE,
WECOULD
TALK
ABOUT
NOTWIPING
ITINSTEAD.
Hi,I'mCherry!
UsBrits
arequiteused
totalking
about
Cottonelle®
Toilet
Pi°per
andFlushable
Cleansing
Cloths.
Afterall,nothing
leaves
youfeeling
ceaner
andfresher
thantheCottonelle
Care
Routine.*
Fancy
a chat?
Let's
talkabout
yourbumatfacebook.com/cottonelle
.,,
-,,1■ t!33+t·):-
CottOnelle·
Cottone/le
*vs.comparable
leading
national
product
Curve's online selection of must-do, must-try, must-have extras.
PRIDEIN BEANTOWN
No other city does Pride quite like Boston. With colorful
floats, a touch of glitter on the streets, and queers
adorned in sequins and rainbow-hued costumes, the
people of Boston came together to celebrate with
their fellow queers in an unforgettable way. View our
slideshow of the parade festivities at curvemag.com
TAKE IT EASY
Wendy Jo Carlton (director of Hannah Free) and
Lisa Cordileone are putting lesbian characters
at the forefront with their hit web series Easy
Abby, a romantic comedy about a lesbian whose
anxiety disorder is only soothed by bedding the
ladies. The creative duo dishes on inspirations,
women in film, and getting lesbians out of the
closet and into the media limelight.
WHET YOUR APPETITE
20TH AND VALENCIA
Can't get enough Michelle Tea? Start
with our interview with the infamous
author turned filmmaker on page 58
then head to Curvemag.com to read
our interviews with the 20 directors
who made Valencia a movie reality.
This year marked the 14th
year that Aqua Girl celebrated
in South Beach, Fla. As anticipated, it was a huge success
because Aqua Girl knows
what women want: celesbians,
hot girls and even hotter
parties. In attendance were
Lauren Russell, Hell's Kitchen
chef Robyn Almodovar, Dani
Campbell and Frenchie Davis.
Plus, the notorious pool parties
didn't disappoint with the
hottest DJs mixing the best
beats as well as the hottest
club scenes around! Check
out our slide show at
curvemag.com
w
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c,::
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ADVISOJ
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You're all he has, so when the conversation turns to his future, turn to
Wells Fargo Advisors. Financial Advisors with the ADPA 3 M designation can
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service marks of the College for Financial Planning~
reserved. 0912-02542 (985659)
curve
THE BEST-SELLING
Cause CCICbre
SEPTEMBER
2013
»
LESBIAN
VOLUME
MAGAZINE
23 NUMBER
7
PUBLISHERSilke Bader
FOUNDINGPUBLISHER Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
EDITORIN CHIEF Merryn Johns
MANAGINGEDITOR Rachel Shatto
ogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will go down in publishing
history as the person who predicted that we would prefer movie
stars on the covers of fashion magazines rather than actual
fashion models. As clever as she was to notice this shift, why
was she right?
It seems to me that celebrity culture has become synonymous with culture
itself. If history doesn't have some charisma attached to it, we don't much care
if any of those bygone events actually happened, do we? We need larger-thanlife personalities to give the passage of time meaning. And when it comes to
our daily news, celebrity gossip provides
headlines. Front pages, covers and websites are populated with high profile and
colorful characters we love to hate, and
sometimes love to love.
But why are we so invested in celebrities? For me, lesbian celebrities were
important forerunners. When Ellen
came out, in 1997, we ordinary lesbians
watched with bated breath to see how it
would go for her. She was our proxy.
As an editor, however, I have noticed
a shift. In an interesting turn of events,
Curve readers are now just as likely to
be interested in what "real" womenwomen they might know or meet-are
doing, how they're overcoming problems
and changing the world.
This is our Celebrity issue and in it
we meet some high-profile lesbians who
are on their way to fame. We also meet
talented women who may never see their
name in lights or walk the red carpet, but
whose work we can love nevertheless.
On June 26, after the Supreme Court
struck down DOMA, I went to the
Stonewall Inn to celebrate with my community. There, in the crowd, surrounded
by strangers and friends, it became clear to me how every single one of us
counts; how together we can change the course of this country. After all, by
definition a "celebrity" is simply a celebrated person, and I think that at this
moment in LGBT history, that applies to all of us.
V
Why are
'\Ve so
invested in
celebrities?
''
~·
MER~
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
EDITORIAL
ASSISTANTSElizabeth Nguyen, Hassina Obaidy
PROOFREADERElizabeth Harper
OPERATIONS
DIRECTOROF OPERATIONS Jeannie Sotheran
EVENTS& MEDIA RELATIONSCOORDINATORRobin Perron
ADVERTISING
CURVE'SMEDIA KIT ourmediakit.com
NATIONALSALES
Rivendell Media (908) 232-2021, todd@curvemagazine,com
BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT
Sallyanne Monti (510) 545-4986, sallyanne@curvemag,com
ART/PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR Stefanie
Liang
PRODUCTIONARTIST Kelly Nuti
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melany Joy Beck, Kathy Beige, Jenny Block, Adam L.
Brinklow, Kelsy Chauvin, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Traci
Dinwiddie, Maria De La 0, Jill Goldstein, Lisa Gunther,
Kristin Flickinger, Gillian Kendall, Kim Hoffman, Charlene
Lichtenstein, Karen Loftus, Sassafras Lowrey, Jess
McAvoy, Ariel Messman-Rucker, Emelina Minero, Laurie
K. Schenden, Stephanie Schroeder, Janelle Sorenson,
Allison Steinberg, Stella & Lucy, Dave Steinfeld, Edie Stull,
Yana Tallon-Hicks, Sarah Toce, Tina Vasquez, Jocelyn Voo
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lauren Barkume, Alex Styles, Meagan Cignoli,
JD Disalvatore, Sophia Hantzes, Janet Mayer, Syd London,
Cheryl Mazak, Maggie Parker, Leslie Van Stelten
CONTACT INFO
Curve Magazine
PO Box 467
New York, NY 10034
PHONE(415) 871-0569
FAX (510) 380-7487
ADVERTISINGSALES(415) 692-5420
SUBSCRIPTIONINQUIRIES(800) 705-0070
(toll-free in
2013
us only)
(818) 286-3102 (outside US)
► ~iti:i~ura~c2~:~~;lus on SiPad
•~zonkindle
► eoog1ep1~
nook
ADVERTISINGEMAIL advertising@curvemag.com
EDITORIALEMAIL editor@curvemag.com
LETTERSTO THE EDITOREMAIL letters@curvemagazine.com
Volume 23 Issue 7 Curve (ISSN 1087-867X) is published monthly
(except for bimonthly January/February and July/August) by
Avalon Media, LLC, PO Box 467, New York NY 10034, Subscription
price: $59,90/year, $59,90 Canadian (U,S. funds only) and $89.95
international (U.S. funds only). Returned checks will be assessed
a $25 surcharge, Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco,
CA 94114 and at additional mailing offices (USPS 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 necessaraly represent the opinions of the editor, unless
specifically stated. All magazines sent discreetly. Subscription
Inquiries: Please write to Curve, Avalon Media LLC,, PO Box
467 New York NY 10034, email crvcs@magserv.com,
Canadian Agreement Number: 40793029. Postmaster: Send
Canadian address changes to crvcs@magserv,com, Curve, PO
Box 122, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S8. Send U.S. address changes to
crvcs@magserv.com,
Curve, PO Box 17138, N. Hollywood,
CA 91615-7138, Printed in the U,S,
curvemag.com
merryn@curvemag.com
6
BOOK REVIEWEDITOR Rachel Pepper
COPY EDITOR Katherine Wright
CONTRIBUTINGEDITORS Victoria A. Brownworth,
Gina Daggett, Jillian Eugenios, Sheryl Kay, Jess McAvoy,
Stephanie Schroeder
$100
PP OFF
when you mention
"CURVE"
POST
ON
FACEBOOK!
Thebestcomment
posted
each
month
could
winyouafree
digital
subscription!
I was very encouraged by
your article on lesbian selfpublished authors ["Dain' It
for Themselves;' Vol. 23#6].
I have written three unpublished novels and all my
friends love my work but I
can't seem to land a publishing contract. I refused to
consider self-publishing but
your article made me rethink
that. Thanks again.
-Carren Wing, Brisbane,
Australia
Music to My Ears
Portland Pride
Loved your Music issue
[Vol. 23#6], it was such a
feast for the eyes and for the
ears. It was great to see some
of my favorites in your selection like Amanda Palmer and
also to discover new talent.
Julia Weldon is super-cute!
-Diane Bass, Oakland Ca.
I liked the article on
Portland's QDoc ["Keep
Portland Queer;' Vol. 23#6],
so thanks for that. Might
I recommend some more
content on Portland? I am
not kidding you; it is all
happening here, especially
for lesbians.
- Portland Proud, via email.
Gender Bent
I just wanted to let you know
that I am disappointed in the
advice column Lipstick and
Dipstick. Although I
appreciated their response to
my question, and I understand they had the right to
change my story, I do not
appreciate that they changed
my girlfriend to a man! First
of all, yuck! Second, do you
really think lesbians want to
read about women who are
with menr No! I know when
I see a question like that, I roll
my eyes and skip to the next
one! -Elizabeth, Billings,Mont.
''
ED'S NOTE: Stay tuned for
more from the City of Roses!
''
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thanks for
writing in and sorry that we
misread your question. When
you said "she's the only woman
I've ever fantasized about" we
took that to mean you've only
been with one woman. Truth
is, we often get questions like
this from women who had
one experience with a woman
many years ago and then go
on and have relationships with
men, but always question their
sexuality. Anyway, we didn't
mean to misrepresent you, and
we're sorry if you feel duped.
LIP & DIP NOTE:
WHICH
OUT
A-LISTER
REPRESENTS
US
BEST?
7%
Jodie Foster
2°0 Lily Tomlin
f 0o Cynthia Nixon
1°0 Evan Rachel
Wood
7%
Wanda Sykes
7%
8%
Jane Lynch
facebook.com/curvemag
OURFACEBOOK
FRIENDS
LAPUPTHE"VENICE"
COVERSTORY
Best Cover ever! Nadia
Bjorlin, Crystal Chappell&
Jessica Leccia absolutely
beautiful souls!!
-Tameria Stanart
Makesme miss dark hair.
-Brittany Glidden
It's a beauty,lovedthe
article on Jen Foster.
-Lucy Nico
See you in Venice.
-Kelly Hicks
Yum!!
IDO
NOT
-Mary-Pat Nealon
APPRECIATEFantastic.Three lovely
ladies and best web series
THAT
THEY
ever. -Sophia Ullah
CHANGED
MY
Can't wait to pick this one
GIRLFRIEND up! -Alie Butler
Love it, as per usual.
TOA
MANI
-Martee Larocque
Literary Sisters
As an aspiring novelist who
writes about lesbian themes
Posts from our
Facebookfans
Love it!! Can't wait to get my
copy!!!
-AngelicaJae
Lovethis show... It reflects
lots of females' lives... Very
true & real... & the cast is
simply gorg!!!
-Evy Maarawi
Classyandjust makingme
want to read.
-Kat VonShaggy
Veniceis a good hot show.
-Noodle Bootie
CORRECTION:
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SEPTEMBER
2013
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The write-up on Club
Skirts The Dinah in
the July/ August issue
of Curve [Vol. 23#6]
featured photos by
Connie Kurtew.
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©2013 Bridgestone
SAMANTHA L. STEWART
KEPHSENETT
Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y.,Samantha L.
Stewart is an investigative journalist with
a background in international reporting
and a near-fanatic passion for sports.
This University of Georgia alumni's
first-love has always been South Eastern
Conference football and her beloved
Georgia BullDawgs. Her passion led to NBC
Sports as a web producer for the London
Olympics. Her stories have been featured
in Newsweek International magazine
and the New York Press. In addition to
journalism, Samantha has been a litigation
attorney in New York City for over a
decade. She is currently working on her
memoir chronicling her time as a lawyer for
the United Nations in Liberia, West Africa,
whilst counting down the days until NFL
and College Football season kick-off.
Keph Senett is a Canadian writer whose
passions for travel and soccer have led
her to play the beautiful game on four
continents. When not writing about human
rights, LGBT and gender issues, travel or
the beautiful game, Keph spends her free
time trying to figure out how to qualify
for a soccer squad in Asia, Australia or
Antarctica. This month she writes about
South Africa's culture of rape and how
international lesbian soccer fans are
fighting to help end deadly homophobia
in sports.
ADAM L. BRINKLOW
Adam L. Brinklow is a writer and critic who
lives and works in San Francisco. In that
order. He's been featured in San Francisco
Magazine, SOMA, Huffington Post SF
and is a regular contributor to EDGE San
Francisco. In this issue Adam interviews
author turned filmmaker Michelle Tea
about the film Valencia, which is based on
her novel by the same name. Adam first
met Tea via an awkward fact-checking
phone call that was almost as interesting at
this month's story, all on its own.
CLARA BEARD
"The first time I watched Mac Harde
online, I was immediately captivated,"
says Clara Beard, writer by day and derby
girl by night. "She is so convincing,
half the time I can't figure out if she's
in character or what I'm seeing is really
her." From politicians to musicians to
Teddy Roosevelt impersonators, Clara
has interviewed almost every type and
personality imaginable. But talking to
Harde was a one-of-a-kind, hilarious
adventure. "She's definitely an electric
woman and a magnetic performer,"
she says. Beard also occupies her time
as a cycling journalist and hot sauce
connoisseur in Flagstaff, Ariz. Read her
interview with Harde on page 33.
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THE GAYDAR
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Robbed! We had our
hearts and speeddialing fingers
set on The Voice's
lesbian contestant
Michelle Chamuel,
who took
second place.
Encore, encore!
In not so gleeful
news, Jane Lynch
and Lara Embry
announce they are
filing for divorce
Nike takes a step in the right
direction with their rainbow colored
#BeTrue Free Run 5.0 shoes, benefits
of which go to fighting anti-LGBT
bias in sports. Thinking about
getting a pair? Just Do It.
Tegan and Sara have
a new blogger, their
mother, whose sweet,
behind the scenes
look at the lezzie
musical duo on tour in
Europe has us missing
our own moms
<I:
~
Kate Moennig is back on
our TVs in Showtime's Ray
Donovan. And may we say
Kate, you're looking very
Shane today
We never get
tired of Jaime
cast mates
and her latest
conquest is
Mia Kirshner in
Defiance-swoon
Charice
Pempengco, a
Filipino singer
who played
an exchange
student in the
second season
of Glee, comes
out! Now that's
something
worth singing
about
Push Girls
is back and
with it, the
queer-identified
Tiphany. As
soon as we saw
her making
out with a new,
tattooed butch
we knew we
were in for
another stellar
season
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It's the year of Brittney Griner.
The 6-foot-8 pro basketball
player is the WNBA's 2013 top
draft pick, comes out and gets
nominated for a BETaward. We
can't wait for what's next.
Shiver me timbers!
There be female pirates
ahoy in STARZ'snew
series Black Sails. Now
that's what we mean by
pirate's booty
Get ready for a
shocker-turns out love
is love. VH1's I'm Married
to A ... series focuses
on unique couples and
follows loving couple
Jessica and her transman
partner Scott
What better way to shake off the postArrested Development blues than
with Netflix's latest original series, the
oh-so-binge-worthy and lesbian
inclusive Orange Is the New Black
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CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Heidi Germaine
Schnappauf
The New York stuntwoman on
coming out and staying fit.
ON BECOMINGA STUNTWOMAN:I was
a typical tomboy, climbing trees, doing
martial arts. It wasn't until I was a graduate
of NYU'sTisch School of the Arts that I
realized my background could lead to this
career. I helped friends with student films
doing fight scenes, getting beat up and
falling down and got a rush out of it. I found
a place to train near Orlando, Fla.,went to
L.A., came back to New York, and continued
networking and learning.
ON KEEPINGIN CONDITION:In addition
to practicing falls, rolls, trampoline and
gymnastics, my weekly workouts include
CrossFit, cycling and yoga. Climbing things,
skateboarding or finding a four-wheel dolly
near a loading dock and jumping on it is
important training too.
ON HERHIGH PROFILEJOBS:My first big
job was working on Paranormal Activity 2,
doubling the amazing Katie Featherston.
I was lucky enough to work on the films
John Carter and Birdman. TV includes
Castle, Revenge, CS/:NY and The Following.
I am currently working on [The Amazing
Spiderman 2].
ON COMINGOUT: I dig chicks. I can't think
of one reason why that would make me a
better or worse stuntwoman, so I sure hope
it doesn't affect my professional standing.
I decided to come out because I remember
being that 15 or 16-year-old reading Curve
and realizing I wasn't alone.
ON WHATSHESEEKSIN A ROMANTIC
PARTNER:
Chemistry, independence and
zest for life. I tend to work hard and sleep
hard, so that I can work hard the next day.
I love music, so I'll add that to my list of
qualities I would seek in a romantic partner.
ON HERULTIMATEGOAL:My biggest bucket
list stunt would be crashing through a
ceiling, through a chandelier, through a
glass table to the ground-in an evening
gown. I would choose successful over
famous any day, but would like to be known
for being a hard worker who never gives up
and always delivers. -Merryn Johns
NDS!HOT
TEES
WAL< OF FAME
Some of our favoritecelesbiansplayfashionmuse this month.
BY HASSINA
0BAIDY
GET YOUR GEEK ON
GARBOGLAM
JOIN THE REVOLUTION
BOLD AND BRIGHT
THE A(LMOST) LIST
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14
2013
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
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NDS/
Charice
Pempengco
p
~ LESBOFILE
~
~
Charice comes out, Beth gets hitched and Frenchie
gives us the finger for a good cause.
~
BY JOCELYN VOO
A Reason to be Gleeful
What's better than the Brittany-Santana
romance on Glee?Try a real-life lesbian
relationship. Charice Pempengco, who
played foe-turned-friend Sunshine Corazon on the show, recently announced that
in real life, she's one of us.
Like many stars before her, 21-year-old
Pempengco decided to come out publicly
after rumors about her sexuality surfaced;
apparently, cutting your hair short and
wearing pants is unheard of in Hollywood
if you're straight. However, the Filipino
singer decided against the mass media
route (she reportedly was to make the big
reveal on Ellen) and chose instead to grant
the scoop to Filipino showbiz roundup
The Buzz to make a greater impact on her
home community.
In the TV interview she apologized
to her family and fans who might be
"disappointed" -and indeed, it looks like
Pempengco has been estranged from her
family and is no longer living in their
home, but rather with a foster family. To
add to the real life soap opera, Pempengco's
birth mother, Raquel, announced in a
press conference that she "understands" her
daughter because-get
this-she
herself
was a lesbian, but "chose her family over
her sexual preference:'
Support for Pempengco has been strong,
16
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
and the singer filmed a follow-up YouTube
video after an outpouring of positive support: "Honestly, I'm very, very happy;' she
says. "I can't explain how happy I am right
now hearing all [these] positive things:•
So who's the lucky lady who won the
singer's heart? Fellow singer Alyssa Quijano, 19, a member of the band AKA Jam,
whom Pempengco met during a singing
competition years ago and describes as "my
everything:'
If this is the debut, we can't wait for the
sophomore album.
Hawaiian Honeymoon
Speaking of finding true love, another of
our favorite spitfires, Gossip frontwoman
and former Curve cover girl Beth Ditto,
kicked off the summer season by tying the knot with her girlfriend of three
years, Kristin Ogata.
Ditto and Ogata wed in a setting as
distinct as one of Ditto's songs: at the
Maui Sunseeker Gay & Lesbian resort
with a Hawaiian priestess as officiant.
"It's going to be really spiritual and
cool, and like, lesbian and really femalecentric. And awesome;' the singer revealed
to Yahoo! Music before the pair tied the
knot. Knowing Ditto, it was exactly as
awesome as she envisioned it.
Talk about moving in the right direction.
Eff It
Raise your middle fingers for the new
F Word Campaign-also
known as the
Friend Movement, a photographic antibullying campaign. Already with a cast of
Tim Gunn,
star power behind it-think
Adam Lambert and Aubrey O'Day-the
movement is gaining two more ladies with
big voices: Beth Ditto and Frenchie Davis.
The campaign is all about telling bullies to step down: In the mild-mannered
Gunn's words:"F you, frankly. I'm amazing
the way I am, and accept that:'
So when you see these shots surfacing-ladies, join in and feel free to raise
your finger in solidarity. •
TRENDS/
"I wouldn't cope very well.
I'm a very independent
person, and I would have
to work ...l wouldn't be
satisfied with being bossed
around by a bunch of men.
I'd probably have to
be a lesbian."
-January Jones on how she'd
live in the Mad Men era to
The Evening Standard
SHEs
st PROFILE
Susan Haugh
Pittsburg
» LGBTPerforming
Arts
Most kids first stand up and then start walking.
Susan Haugh stood up and then started conducting music.
Where did she get her orchestras? "The TV,"
she says. "PBS's Live From Lincoln Center, the
New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops. Music
is all-enveloping. It's movement, energy, vibration, time and space. It is everything together."
Haugh began performing and writing her own
instrumental and choral works in 1987. Several
years later, she helped found the Renaissance
City Women's Choir, a Pittsburgh-based group
that offers gay-positive music and openly supports equality and social justice issues.
"I have a personal drive to work to effect
change where I can," says Haugh. "I am a composer and director, so I am using the tools and
talents I have to create a world that understands
and accepts all people for who they are."
Ten years ago, following a successful
stint with the choir, Haugh founded Dreams
of Hope, an LGBT youth performing arts
ensemble in Pittsburgh. She's worn many hats
there, including artistic director, grant writer,
fundraiser, performance creator, and mentor.
"[Many] queer youths cannot be open with their
boyfriend or girlfriend at school, or at parties,
or at their places of worship, or at home," says
Haugh. "They need safe places where they can
express themselves and deal with the myriad of
issues they are dealing with on a daily basis."
In one of her most recent community
projects, Haugh is working with the Pride Youth
Theater Alliance (PYTA),a network of arts,
educational, and service organizations in the
U.S. and Canada. As chair of the Mentoring
Committee, she is helping PYTAto start new
queer youth theaters. "The emergence of new
youth groups is very exciting and important,
if we are going to really change the minds
of people throughout the country," she says.
-Sheryl Kay
18
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Melissa Etheridge has criticized Angelina Jolie for
her double mastectomy. While many hailed Jolie as
brave for the preventive surgery against the BRCA
gene, which she carries, Etheridge called Jolie's
decision a "fearful choice," saying that she believes
cancer is a result of stress, nutrition and environment.
DANIELLE
POWELL
WAS
expelled from Grace Un1vers1ty,
a conservative Christian college,
one semester before graduation
In 2012 after she began dating
another woman The school
demands that students sign and
abide by a code of conduct that
forbids k1ss1ng,prolonged hugs
and watching MTV The school is
now demanding Powell pay back
$6,000 In loans connected to the
final semester they didn't permit
her to f1n1sh
KAITLYN
HUNT,
ASENIOR
AT
Florida's Sebastian River High
School, Is facing two counts of
felony and lewd and lasc1v1ous
conduct because she was
sexually active with her girlfriend,
another high school student who
Is three years younger Hunt was
a cheerleader and member of
the basketball team, where she
met her 14-year-old g1rlfr1end In
Florida It Is illegal for someone
who Is 18 to have sex with a
teen under the age of 16 The
birthday If convicted, Hunt faces
15 years In prison, and has turned
down a plea bargain that would
have forced her to register as
a sex offender for life Hunt's
parents are standing behind their
daughter and f1ght1ngfor the
state laws to be changed
PROSECUTORS
INKENTUCKY
are attempting to make Geneva
Case testify against her wife
Bobbie Joe Clary In a murder and
robbery charge Case has refused
to testify against her wife 1nvok1ng
spousal privilege Prosecutors
believe that Clary admitted
guilt to her wife, and claim Case
cannot invoke spousal privilege
because same-sex marriage Is
not recognized In the state of
Kentucky The couple entered a
c1v1Iunion In Vermont In 2004
SENATOR
TAMMY
BALDWIN
has delivered her first speech
on the Senate floor She spoke
about the disconnect "between
the content of the debate here In
Star Struck
Why our favorite celebrities should love us back.
I
n June, I sat with several million
other Americans and watched the
Tony Awards. Mikell Kober, a
lesbian acquaintance of mine and
a theater geek, was in the process of pro~
ducing a new play, Frankenstein Upstairs
( about a lesbian couple living below some
intriguing goings~on), so I was immersed
in theater at the time.
Tony night is so magical. That it hap~
pens during Pride month just makes it
that much more meaningful. I haven't
lived in New York in years, but something
about Tony night makes everyone feel this
close to Broadway.
On Broadway, everyone is gay. So on
ev v1cToR1A A. eRowNwoRTH
Tony night, it was the overwhelming
queerness that got to me-seeing so many
gay and lesbian actors, playwrights and
producers in a love~fest with their straight
allies. It felt like we-queer Americanswere not just part of the larger society, but
were society.
I cried during several of the speechesnotably, when out gay African American
actor Billy Porter, who portrayed Lola in
Cyndi Lauper's Kinky Boots,won the Tony
for best actor in a musical. Porter gave one
of the most moving speeches I've ever heard
about love, acceptance and the importance
of embracing the queers in your family.
Lauper herself, the first woman to win a
Tony for best musical score and a longtime
LGBT rights activist, gave a feminist and
pro~queer speech for the ages. Kinky Boots
producer Suzanne Mackie finished out the
night, asserting that this was a play about
making the world a better place.
So for me, this year's Tony night was
everything we, the queer audience, want
from the celebrities we idolize. They
embraced us, they told us they got it, they
told us we mattered.
Why can't it always be like thatr
Celebrity is the great American cult, in
which everyone but the most elitist among
us are members. I too have a fondness for
some of the glitterati. I have long been a fan
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
19
st
POLITICS
of Cyndi Lauper, who, when asked about
why she's such a strong supporter of LG BT
rights, said simply, 'Tm friend and family,
so ... I live among my people:' (Lauper's
sister is a lesbian.)
My people. Sweet.
And of course it's difficult to imagine
anyone but the right-wing fringe group One
Million Moms not loving Ellen DeGeneres.
She's a celebrity who always seems to live
up to our expectations-just
look at her
support for all things queer and her outspokenness about bullying.
Rosie O'Donnell has a few crazy ideas,
such as her 9 / 11 conspiracy theories, but
she's a tireless voice, not just for LGBT
causes, but for kids and parents. Even when
she's acting a little nuts, she's so open and
honest that it's hard not to love her.
Wanda Sykes talks about being a mom
just like other women celebrities do. That
she's an African American lesbian legally
married to a French woman never seems
to be an issue. She talks to male talk show
hosts about their wives, and they talk to
her about hers. It's fabulous. But it happens because she makes it happen.
Celebrity isn't all warm fuzziness,
however. The celebrities who run in and
out of the closet make us feel bad about
ourselves because they can't accept their
true sexuality.
I don't care that Anne Heche was alesbian for five minutes 20 years ago, or that
Gillian Anderson had a lesbian affair in
high-school. I don't need to hear anything
else about Queen Latifah, Robin Roberts,
Janelle Monae or any of the other women
who are rumored to be closet cases but
apparently just can't bring themselves to
open that door. I can no longer even talk
about Lindsay Lohan.
Nor do I need to hear about the straight
actors and musicians who have a lesbian
following but really don't care about us.
Many women stars play to the lesbian
crowd and then get incensed when we think
they are one of us. I may still love their
music, but I'm over Sarah McLachlan and
Ani DiFranco. Michelle Shocked's recent
homophobic tirade and Lauryn Hill's new
anti-gay hit knocked the both of them off
my playlist for good.
I took some heat back in January when
I wrote a column about how tiresome I find
Jodie Foster, and how she's a terrible role
model for young lesbians-or
queers of
any age.
Heretical, I know. "But we love Jodie:'
Really? Why? Do you love her refusal
to acknowledge anything or anyone queer?
Do you love her best friend, the homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic wife-abuser Mel
Gibson, who is rumored to be the father
of her children? Do you like her support
for convicted child-rapist Roman Polanski? Because I don't love any of that. And
when I hear yet another rambling, selfserving speech in which she plays games
about being a lesbian, I want to just shake
her and tell her to stop manipulating her
queer audience.
But that's the thing about celebritythese people aren't our friends. They're
stars. They're an elite class. They don't have
to do anything they don't want to do,
''
expect more from
celebrities than
do from the lesbian
down the block.
expect them to be
out, to be activists,
to be role models.
expect them to
give some of their
big bucks to
queer causes.
I
I
I
I
''
because they have more money than God
and just as much access.
So why do we give them such power
over us? Why do we spend so much time
paying attention to what they say and door won't say and won't do?
I've been privileged to have some exchanges with Roseanne Barr on Twitter. I
admit I was pretty thrilled that she noticed
me, and was talking to me and favoriting
my tweets. I was impressed that she'd
read my recent writings on rape, which
admittedly have gone viral, but still-she's
Roseanne Barr!
I've been watching Roseanne for what
seems like my whole adult life. She's funny,
smart and politically astute. I love it that
she doesn't give a fuck what people think
or say about her. I love it that she ran for
president.
That she has thousands of followers and
responded to me was exciting. I had a fangirl moment. But why was I swooning over
her and telling my friends about it? Why
was I so thrilled that this famous woman
was reaching out to me?
Because, like everyone else, I'm drawn to
celebrity.And when celebrities turn out to be
people who don't care if they are talking to
someone in their own super-famous sphere
or someone way lower on the pole of fame,
that validates my fan-ish love for them.
Likewise, the cringe-worthy speech
Foster gave at the Golden Globes does
the opposite: makes me feel like the fangirl love and support is misguided and
misplaced.
But how fair is that? Jodie Foster is,
after all, just another 50-year-old lesbian
with issues. Don't we all know plenty of reallife women like her? Do I find her tiresome
precisely because I know so many women
like her-women who are still mostly in the
closet, even though everyone knows they're
gay and they' re old enough that they really
shouldn't care about such things?
I expect more from celebrities than I do
from the lesbian down the block. I expect
them to be out, to be activists, to be role
models. I expect them to give some of their
big bucks to queer causes. I expect them to
reach out to queer kids and feed them the
"it gets better" line, even though I find it
incredibly deceptive.
When I think back on the magic of
Tony night, what I recall is feeling one
with the celebrities. Feeling like I could
have been Billy Porter, or been friends with
Cyndi Lauper. The way they and the other
stars spoke that night made me feel included
and embraced, loved and accepted.
That's what I want from my celebrities.
But I also want to see that in my celebrities: I
want to know that they aren't self-loathing
queers or closet homophobes, but that they
accept themselves for who they are and
accept us-their audience-for who we are.
What I want is for every night to be
Tony night, where everyone acts like queer
is just part of our world-and should be.
Like Lauper, they should think of me as
their people. Otherwise, they don't deserve
my fan-girl moments. Or yours. •
Follow Victoria A. Brownworth on Twitter:
@VABVOX
VIEWStADVI
Living Post DOMA
How does our latest marriage equality victory change our lives?
BY TEMMA EHRENFELD
E
dith Windsor, 84, has won.
For 40 years she loved Thea
Spyer, and got to legally marry
her in Canada, just two years
before Spyer died. Despite her own ill
health, despite being advised that she'd lose,
Windsor pursued a lawsuit, United States
v. Windsor, alleging that under the federal
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) the
government was discriminating against
married same-sex couples. Now her name
will always be attached to the historic
Supreme Court decision that declares part
of DO MA unconstitutional.
The right of same-sex couples to marry is
a matter of fairness-and dollars. The June
26 decision will help more than 70,000
married lesbian and gay couples gain access
to more than 1,000 valuable federal benefits for spouses. But if you live in a state
that doesn't recognize your marriage, you're
in for delays and some frustration. It's also
unclear how the feds will treat civil unions
and domestic partnerships, whether those
involved will have the same access to various benefits. But new possibilities have
emerged, potentially saving same-sex couples a lot of headaches and money.
WHO'S MARRIED?
In 1996, when Congress passed DOMA,
no state permitted same-sex couples to
marry. As of June, or soon, you can marry
your lesbian love in 12 states and the District of Columbia, although until recently,
none of those marriages counted under
federal law.
In striking down Section 3 of DOMA,
the 5-4 majority barred the federal government from discriminating against samesex couples who are married in states that
recognize same-sex marriage. But the justices permitted another section to standallowing states' rights to prevail in some
circumstances: Any state can still ban
same-sex marriage and ignore the rights
conferred on a same-sex couple if they
were married in another state.
Things remain murky if you were married elsewhere and now live in unfriendly
territory. Kat Morgan and Daena Petersen
were married in Vermont in 2010, after
entering into a civil union in 200 L But the
tight job market pushed Petersen, a doctor,
to consider residencies around the country, and the couple wound up moving to
Charleston, S.C., where an amendment to
the state constitution bans gay marriage.
South Carolina doesn't have to recognize
the Morgan-Petersen marriage. But what
about the U.S. Internal Revenue Servicer
Or the U.S. Social Security Administration?
"In the days to come, we will learn about all
the nuances, loopholes and exceptions;' says
Morgan, an organizational development
consultant. Both agencies now determine
eligibility for spousal benefits based on the
marriage laws in the state where you live.
(The IRS has more potential flexibility.)
Similarly, if you apply for a leave under the
Family and Medical Leave Act, currently
you need to be married where you reside.
The patchwork of conflicting state laws
has long made life harder for same-sex
couples. Karen Mateer, a Pasadena-based
tax, trust and estate attorney, advised a
gay couple who moved from California to
Arizona at mid-year. "Their taxes were
a mess, because the rules were completely
different in the two states;' she says. In California, they were married; in Arizona, they
weren't. It remains to be seen whether, postWindsor, they will be married in the eyes of
the IRS.
With Obama's support, White House
officials have said that they're already analyzing the many laws and statutes at issue.
"Given the president's stance, it is likely that
the federal government will take action to
ensure that same-sex couples have access to
most, if not all, federal benefits;' says Lisa
Linsky, a partner at McDermott Will &
Emery, a law firm that specializes in LGBT
issues. The ideal solution, she says, would
be an across-the-board federal policy that
recognizes your marriage as legal based on
where it was "celebrated;'-the legal termregardless of where you currently live.
But it may take time. "Unless President
Obama issues an executive order;' says
Larry Jacobs, a Rockville, Md., estate and
trust attorney, "we'll be sorting this out
for a while:' Changes in state law are also
possible. "The decision may inspire states
that don't recognize same-sex marriages to
reconsider;' says Linsky, who suggests that
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
21
it's a good idea to pull together your paperwork and consult lawyers and accountants
as changes set in. In the meantime, Lambda
Legal's fact-sheets provide some guidance.
WHO'S DIVORCED?
While breaking up is always hard, the new
ruling will help. Consider the case of a lesbian couple who were joined in a civil union
in New Jersey. After they separated, a judge
ordered the higher-earning partner to pay
spousal support. If the couple had been
married under federal law, the partner paying the spousal support could have deducted
those payments from her federal taxes, saving
her thousands of dollars a year. The new
ruling may change that-if the IRS considers civil unions as marriage.
Another wrinkle: The partner paying
spousal support in New Jersey expects that
a judge will also require her to give her ex
a chunk of her 401(k). Because federal law
governs these retirement plans, she hasn't
known whether her company would make
the distribution. A hetero ex-spouse can
roll the 401(k) payment into a retirement
account, thereby avoiding taxes. Will a
lesbian ex-spouse have that benefit, postWindsorr We shall see.
INCOME TAXES
Life under the new regime may be simpler
but not necessarily cheaper. Gay married
couples typically have had to prepare four
tax returns: two federal returns, as though
they were single; a joint state return; and,
because the state return requires certain
federal numbers, a federal joint return, too.
Now they can file one joint state and federal
return, as most hetero couples do.
If one spouse makes a lot more money than the other, a joint return in effect
lowers the couple's taxes by combining
their income. But when two high-earners
file jointly, they may pay more than they
would if they were single-incurring
the
famous "marriage penalty:'
If you stand to save money by filing
jointly, you should be able to refile for the tax
years 2010, 2011 and 2012. But this stuff is
complicated so check with the professionals
first to make sure you are making the right
decisions. Windsor got hit with an estate
tax bill of $363, 000 after Spyer died, just as
though a total stranger had left her money.
But now, married same-sex survivors should
be free of estate tax. This also means that
you can give your spouse money while you're
both alive without worrying about taxes.
22
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
SOCIAL SECURITY
Your lesbian widow could now be eligible
for the Social Security "widow's benefit:'
Although you may not be in luck if you live
in a state that doesn't recognize your marriage, the agency's rules suggest that benefits would extend to some couples in civil
unions and domestic partnerships. Your
widow may be entitled to benefits from any
pension covered by federal rules. And you
can't name someone else as a beneficiary of
your retirement plan without your spouse's
consent-another
protection that now
should extend to many same-sex couples.
None of this means that you can skip doing some financial planning."People may be
lulled into a false sense of security;' Jacobs
worries. You'll still need wills to clarify what
each of you will inherit.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Within hours of the decision, Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that
the Pentagon would give gay service members nearly 100 perks that were off-limits
under DOMA. Federal employees generally should see broad benefits. But it's less
clear what other employers will do.
However, it's not clear whether civil unions
or domestic partnerships will count.
WHERE WE STAND
The Windsor decision is a big momentbut, as Morgan puts it, "We didn't get to full
marriage equality. It is certainly coming faster than I ever expected, but every day we wait
there are real consequences and costs. Every
day our marriage isn't recognized, we are
vulnerable. Because of this, for many of us,
[the DO MA] victory was quite bittersweet:'
Cases challenging state bans like the one in
South Carolina are in the pipeline. You can
also expect to see more marriages among the
estimated 650,000 same-sex couples who
are living together nationally-those federal
benefits can be persuasive.
In a recent survey of LGBT Americans
by the Pew Research Center, more than half
of the unmarried gay men and lesbians said
they'd like to marry someday, and 4 percent
of gay men and 6 percent of lesbians said
they were currently married. Lesbian marriages, Pew reports, outnumber gay men's
marriages everywhere except in New York
City. So, if you haven't done it yet, now may
be the time to take the plunge! •
HEALTH INSURANCE
HOW TO POP THE QUESTION
Under federal law, employer health insurance plans must allow you to include your
spouse, but gay people living in states that
don't recognize their marriages may run into
problems. Linsky expects to see court cases
challenging the policies of private employers who don't grant either health or pension benefits to spouses, if the employers'
plans rely on a definition of marriage based
on DOMA. If you paid extra federal taxes
on health insurance coverage because your
marriage wasn't federally recognized, talk to
your employer about adjusting the amount
of your 2013 withholding.
Now that DOMA has gone the way of the
dinosaurs, how do you pop the question? Who
better to ask about "The New Etiquette of the
Rainbow" than same-sex jewelry LVOEdesigner
Rony Tennenbaum.
IMMIGRATION
Under federal law, an American can marry
a non-citizen of the opposite sex and help
them obtain a green card and eventually
become a citizen. That hasn't been true for
same-sex couples. Jacobs works with a gay
man who is married under D.C law to a
non-citizen: "They've been living under the
threat of deportation hanging over him like
a sword for years;' he says. Now, according to
Immigration Equality, a gay-rights group,
you can apply for a green card if you are
legally married-even
if you now live in a
state that doesn't recognize your marriage.
1. Be prepared. "I have had so many girl
couples tell me when the moment came, they
thought they were prepared, but ended up
saying nothing like what they expected."
2. Intimate proposal or grand gesture?
"Don't limit yourself, but be true to who you are
and your partner. For those who want to make
a splash, I say go for the grand gesture!"
3. Who proposes to whom? "There is something very powerful in each of the couple being
able to ask the question: 'Will you Marry Me?'
and having the satisfaction of hearing: 'Yes!' "
4. Save the edibles for the after party.
"When a ring leaves my hands in its beautiful
ring box, it has been polished to its brightest,
cleaned and sparkling. Don't ruin that beautiful
look with cake crumbs and sugary syrup." If
you're looking for a unique way to reveal a ring,
he suggests putting the ring box on a napkin in
the middle of the plate. -Hassina Obaidy
VIEWS/
I'm in Love with
My Teacher!
How can I tell if Ms. Cramer likes me back?
"balls" in every other sentence.
and illustrated (it was called
Spit chewing tobacco and
Billy the Bunny). I recently
drink Bud. Soon they'll start
found the book tucked away
treating you like one of the
in my parents' attic and I saw
guys and forget you even have
homoerotic undertones I didn't
a vagina.
even realize were there. But
BY LIPSTICK & DIPSTICK
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: I am in love
with my math teacher. First of all, she is
26 and I am only 16. I know what you are
thinking ...! am too young to be in love.
But quite the contrary, I know for sure
what I am feeling. I just wanted to know,
What do you think I should do? How can
I tell if she might be interested? Once I
graduate from high school, how should
I go about becoming friends with her?
-Quivering
the children's book I wrote
LIPSTICK+OIPSTI
Over Mrs. Cramer
/////////////////////n,,,,,,,,,.,,,,///////////////////////#////#////////#/////////////////////////////////
that's not the point. The point
Lipstick: Ha! Has that actu-
is, you have a crush on your
ally worked for you in the
teacher. It isn't love. Once you
past, Dip? What I'm wonder-
fall in love for real, you'll realize
ing, Tammy, is how you can
that love is not one-sided. It's
be "closeted," but these
something you enter into on
dudes know you're a lesbian.
an equal footing with a partner
Mindboggling. That aside,
who reciprocates. Regardless,
methinks there's a teensy-weensy
enjoy the crush and keep turning
part of you that actually likes
your homework in on time
the attention, and the sexual
and doing those extra-credit
frisson. This is nothing to be
projects. You might end up as
ashamed of, because sexuality
an aerospace engineer, an
is complicated and no feelings
accountant or a corporate CEO.
you have are wrong-even
identifying as a lesbian and still
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick:
loving that kind of attention
I'm closeted and I have a hard
from men. That said ...of course
time dealing with the way my
they're turned on by your hot
guy friends react when I talk
lesbian sex talk. Who wouldn't
to them about sex with women.
be? I don't know many straight
They know I'm a lesbian, and
women-if
they're being
Lipstick: We're not thinking
crush will become. How about
I enjoy their company, but it's
really honest-who
you're too young to be in
focusing on a sport, or making
tough. They keep hitting on
be turned on, too. If it's really
love, young lass, we're think-
the debate team, or meeting
me. Do you two have any tips
bothering you, take Dipstick's
ing you're too young to be
a girl who just got her driver's
on how to deal with this?
advice-not
in love with a 26-year-old!
license? Dip, I bet you've been
-Tammy the Teaser
and boopsies-and
Here's what you should do:
infatuated with a teach or two.
isn't interested. And it's not
Dipstick: Don't you know it,
because you're not adorable,
Lip! I know exactly how you
Men's brains are simple.
feel, Quiver Pants. Oh, did I
When you talk about sex,
Cramer is not interested
have the biggest crush on Miss
they think you want to
because it's a felony. I know
Anderson, my seventh-grade
do it-with
it's tough-all
lezzies are hot
English teacher. I was the first
can't help it. There's
for teacher at various points
to pop my hand up when she
an "on" switch and an
in their education-but
asked for volunteers to read
"off" switch-that's
out loud. On my way home, I
talking about sex, you're
and try to move on. In this new
would stop by her classroom
flicking the "on" switch.
school year, concentrate on
just to linger in her presence,
Since you're female and
things that have nothing to do
and ask if she needed her eras-
you just happen to be
with Mrs. Cramer. Remember,
ers clapped. (Do schools still
in front of them, they
what we focus on, emotionally,
have erasers and chalkboards?)
want to have sex with
will only grow stronger, so the
I'd sneak a peek at her desk for
you. The solution to this
more attention you give your
clues that she had a boyfriend,
is simple, too: Instead of
crush-obsessing
or a girlfriend. I think part of the
sex, discuss pro wrestling,
got to do your heart a favor
over her,
cunni-linguistics! •
them. They
it. By
spending time in her class-
reason I became a writer was
baseball, NASCAR. Belch
room-the
because of how she praised
and fart. Use the word
more intense your
stop
them about your sex life.
charming and smart. Mrs.
you've
about the burps
speaking to those guys in
Dipstick: Yes. Stop telling
Fuhgeddaboudit. Your teacher
wouldn't
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
23
DINAH
DOES
VEGAS
Getting down at Girl Bar's Dinah Shore Las Vegas.
Girl Bar, Truck Stop Girlz and Caesars Entertainment celebrated
pool party at the fabulous Flamingo GO Pool, which featured
their annual Dinah Shore Las Vegas this year in style at host
all the essentials, like a waterfall and three outdoor bars, plus a
hotels around The Strip, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo and Rio.
high stakes poker table where card sharks played half-naked-
Now in its second year, Dinah Vegas rolled out double the
while working on their tans. Saturday night was the infamous
festivities with twice as many dancers, parties and attendees.
White Party, hosted at the Flamingo pool, with more go-go
Flying in from all over the globe, thousands of women partied
girls, and live dance performances by the sexy Truck Stop Girlz,
the weekend away in the neon city that never sleeps.
gyrating in torn tees and hosiery.
Guests kicked off the weekend with Friday's opening party
The weekend came to a close Sunday with a T-Dance at
at Rio's two-story, indoor/outdoor dance floors. Go-go dancers
Diablo's Cantina in the Monte Carlo Resort. Though a bittersweet
shimmied the night away while attendees mingled, danced and
ending, the Latin flavor and overflowing margaritas reminded
took in a breathtaking view of the entire city.
guests that this was only the beginning of the biggest girl party
Saturday, ladies stripped down to their bikinis for the Infinity
24
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
in Las Vegas. (dinahshoreweekend.com) -Elizabeth Estochen
NCLR'S
36TH
ANNIVERSARY
GALA
A glamorous night to celebrate
the heroes fighting for our rights.
On May 18, NCLR hosted their 36th
Anniversary Gala at the Westin Saint
Francis in San Francisco. The evening
opened with Olga Talamante-Chicana
activist, and former co-chair of the
NCLR's board of directors, awarding
this year's Courage Awards. Recipients
included Alejandra Estrada, Luis Liang,
Carla Lopez and Jose Mendoza-all
LGBT youths-who
fought for the
Development, Relief, and Education for
Alien Minors Act. This bill, if not defeated
in 2010, would have created more
education and employment opportunities for alien immigrant youth. The
efforts of these four youths also helped
set into motion the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals, a recently signed
executive order allowing work permits,
and temporary protection from deportation for undocumented immigrants
moved before the age of 16.
Jennifer Tobits, who took home the
Justice Award, shared the tragic tale
of her legal battle in Illinois for the
state to recognize her marriage to late
wife Sarah Ellyn Farley. After enduring
the illness and eventual loss of Farley,
Tobits was forced to stand up against
Farley's homophobic parents, who
refused to acknowledge the pair's
marriage, and claimed ownership to all
of Farley's assets.
Out trans lawyer, Shannon Price
Minter, was the recipient of this year's
Founder's Award for her work fighting
cases for LGBT rights for two decades.
Minter was presented with the award
by the evening's surprise guest,
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.
Following the anniversary dinner
was the gala at San Francisco Metreon's
City View, filled with arcade games,
miniature-sized noodle salads and
tacos, tarot card readers and a photo
booth. The party at City View overlooked
San Francisco's Financial District,
providing a view for guests to admire
as the NCLR celebrated 36 successful
years, and anticipated more to come.
(nclrights.org) -Elizabeth Estochen
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
25
st TWO OF US
House and were blown away by her stage
Dominique & Laurie
Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert, co-directors of the
highly-anticipated lesbian film Margarita, dish on falling in love
and telling our stories. ev RACHEL SHATTO
HOW
THEY
MET
HOW
THEY
CHOSE
TOWORK
TOGETHER
DOMINIQUE: We met during a boat dance
Before we could actually
understand each other, we went to dozens
of movies and found that film was a common
interest that helped us bond.
LAURIE: Neither one of us thought of being
filmmakers-we were just film buffs. But in
Paris we started to meet other filmmakers,
watched hundreds of films and thought:
Why not? Let's try. We didn't like the por~
trayal of lesbians in mainstream cinema or
even in documentaries-they
seemed to
always be portrayed as overly apologetic,
sad or patronizing. We decided to make
Thank God I'm a Lesbian,a documentary
that shows the other side of lesbianismthe luminous side.
on the Seine River in Paris at the end of
the '80s. That was a time when Leshia,the
only lesbian magazine in France, organized
wild parties once a month on a barge by
Notre Dame. Neither of us could speak the
other's language, so communicating was a
little tough at first-but a lot of fun. Laurie
knew one sentence: "Voulez~vous coucher
avec moi ce soir:"'
LAURIE: It was all very romantic and so,
so French. We met on the dance floor. We
danced together, left together and weve
been together ever since.
HOW
THEY
OVERCAME
THE
LANGUAGE
BARRIER
LAURIE: Language isn't the only way to
communicate. We found other ways and
explored them all. Then Dami learned
English and I learned French. It took about
eight months before we could have a really
meaningful conversation. By the time we
were able to understand each other it was
too late-we were completely in love.
DOMINIQUE: At first it was like discovering
a new person every day and I like that feel~
ing. I still have it. It's wonderful to live with
someone for so long and still be surprised.
26
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
DOMINIQUE:
HOW
THEY
SELECT
APROJECT
The kernel of each project
inevitably comes out of an intense conversa~
tion. Then we start throwing around ideas
and voila-the whole idea starts to take
shape. We only work on one project at a
time so we just keep going until it's doneif nothing else, we're tenacious as hell.
DOMINIQUE:
presence. At the time we had been talk~
ing about doing a film about a nanny
living without legal status in Canada. We
wanted to explore what it is like to live in
Toronto without documentation and the
social support system that comes with it.
We also wanted to explore the other side
of the equation and look at the families
who employ and in many cases-know~
ingly or not-exploit
these workers. We
were fascinated by the concept of the class
structure that still exists in a society that is
legislatively class~free.
LAURIE: Twenty years ago, Dominique was
forced to leave Canada, as she'd been a
"tourist" for just a little too long. It was
agony to be separated for eight months
as she waited in France for her Canadian
landed immigrant status. If we had met
today, things would have been easier. We
could have gotten married, for example,
and avoided a lot of bureaucracy. That's
such an important advancement in basic
human rights and ... we wanted to celebrate
that in this film.
HOW
THEY
RESOLVE
DIFFERENCES
ONAND
OFF
THE
SET
LAURIE: A shoot moves so fast that we don't
have the luxury of time or the energy to
argue. Preparation is really the key with a
tight shooting schedule; it's essential to be
able to foresee issues and discuss everything
before being on the set. We've been together
for 25 years, so there's a lot of intuition.
ONTHE
ROLE
ACTIVISM
PLAYS
INTHEIR
LIVES
DOMINIQUE: We are lesbians and feminists
and we will always be involved in any strug~
gle that makes women's lives better. Activism
is at the core of our work. Being filmmakers
gives us the opportunity to challenge the
status quo, specifically in terms of the image
of women and lesbians in mainstream
media. Art is about challenging beliefs and,
if not changing them, at least providing a
forum for dialogue that can lead to change.
That's why we became filmmakers and it's
why we continue to make films. •
ONTHE
INSPIRATION
BEHIND
MARGARITA
We saw Nicola Correia
Damude on stage in Toronto in The Clean
DOMINIQUE:
Margarita debutson WolfeVOD Oct.29 and
willbeavailableon DVD Nov. 19from Wolfe.
MUSIC
»
BOOKS
»
FlLM»
curve
Sisters Who Rock
Sisters in the life, and in real life, Cathy Henderson and Kristen Ellis-Henderson of Antigone Rising
raise their glasses to marriage equality and a new single about whiskey. av STEPHANIE scHROEDER
both standing on
the same porch right
now on Long Island
near the beach;' says
Cathy Henderson. Cathy and her sister
Kristen are native Long Islanders and say
they've lived together most of their lives.
"But now we live only a hop, skip and a
jump from each other;' says Kristen.
Founders of the all~female rock band
Antigone Rising, Cathy, who plays lead
guitar, says that her sister Kristen, who
plays bass guitar, returned to their roots
when she and her wife Sarah Kate Ellis
''We're
decided to have children. Cathy followed
soon after.
The success of Antigone Rising is not
a typical rags~to~riches band story-at
least not riches traditionally defined. The
formation of the band began at Bucknell
University in Pennsylvania, which both
Cathy and Kristen attended. "When we
were there we met [Penelope Kokines and
Suzanne Obolsky] who formed Antigone
Rising. When we moved to New York
City, we played small venues up and down
Bleecker Street;' recalls Cathy.
Back then the band was more of an
acoustic quartet, and the lead singer decided
to get married and move to Boston. "She
missed the train as it was pulling out of the
station;' Kristen laughs. "This was around
1989, and within two weeks we landed a
gig at Lilith Fair where we had a transitional
lead singer. From there, our current story
began, with shifting members, and figuring
out how it was all going to work. We met
everybody in N.Y.C., in the clubs, including
Nini [Camps], who is now our lead singer:'
With the equally charismatic sisters
Cathy and Kristen on guitar, the energetic
and husky~voiced Camps up front, and
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
27
REVIEWS/
MUSIC
Dena Tauriello bringing up the rear on
drums, Antigone Rising evolved into a solid
band capable of producing a big rock sound
while incorporating the pop, folk and
country elements that lesbians love. "We
signed a contract, jumped in a bus, traveled
around the world, and are now back on
Long Island;' says Kristen.
Their latest release, the irresistibly
toe-tapping, tongue-in-cheek, alt-country
tune "It Was the Whiskey" was born from
life on the road.
"We were down in Florida at the 30A
Songwriters Festival;' recalls Cathy. "It was
a Saturday night and the Bangles' Vicki
Peterson, along with Lori McKenna, Garrison Starr and Michelle Malone were all
in the audience. It was Nini's birthday and
we had a prime slot, playing in a roadhouse bar:'
"There was a magical thing going
on up and down the Emerald Coast on
Highway 30A;' says Kristen, picking up
the story's thread. "Every venue becomes
a live music venue, with no traditional
stage. For instance, you walk into the
bagel shop and Lori McKenna is playing
or at a nearby coffeehouse you see Mary
Gauthier;' says Kristen.
Antigone Rising was the final show of
Saturday's schedule. "The old roadhouse
bar lent itself to the spirit of debauchery;'
says Cathy.
"It was electric-on fire. Everyone from
the festival gathered at the bar. Lori McKenna, who more than anyone knows us
from writing, which is on a different level
than touring with Garrison or Michelle,
was in the audience, but we didn't know it.
Garrison was on the side of the stage and
Michelle was hooting and hollering in the
audience. It was just amazing:'
"It Was the Whiskey" was co-written
with McKenna and loosely based on that
night. The band is making a video to accompany the song.
Back home on Long Island things are
quieter now after Kristen and her wife Sarah Kate were celebrated at a national level.
A photo of the couple kissing was selected
as the cover for TIME magazine's issue on
marriage equality in March.
"That came about because my wife and
I wrote a book, Times Two: Two Women in
Love and the Happy Family They Made back
in 2009, when marriage equality didn't pass
in the New York Senate;' says Kristen.
"Then, with DOMA and Prop. 8 coming
up in the Supreme Court, TIME remembered us from the book and we were
asked about coming in to discuss DOMA.
They asked us if we would also do photos,
including kissing. That phone call was on a
Friday at 9 p.m. and we were in the TIME
offices on Monday morning at 11 a.m:'
The two women didn't realize the photo
would be used for the magazine's cover.
They weren't even sure any photos would
be published at all. "Wednesday afternoon
we got a call that there would be a split
cover, one with two gay men kissing and
another cover with us;' says Kristen.
Kristen is used to media attention since
she and Sarah Kate, then working as the
marketing director at Real Simple magazine, got pregnant on the same day and the
publication ran a Mother's Day story about
them, which led to their book deal.
Family is at the core of Antigone Rising.
Cathy loves hanging out with her niece Kate
and nephew Thomas. (The Hendersons
also have a brother with children). "I absolutely knew I would be a professional aunt.
But, that is as far as it goes. I am a big kid,
I love running around like crazy, and then
leaving them with their parents;' says Cathy.
"That was my plan and I've stuck to it:'
The band balances child-rearing with
writing, and Nini has a studio in her
house, which-of course-is around the
corner from the Henderson sisters on
Long Island.
"Nini has a kid in pre-K with our kids;'
says Kristen. "We drop the kids at school
and run back to the studio to record from
8:45 a.m. until noon. Then we pick up the
kids and go to the park. That's how it works
now, but we get it done:'
Yes, Antigone Rising gets it done. "It
Was the Whiskey" was taken from their
new five-song EP, which will be released
this fall in time with an East Coast tour.
Catch the band as it continues to rise.
(antigonerising.com) •
HOT
LICKS
Violent
Vickie
Monster
Alley
(Violent
VicKie)
Melding riot grrrl, electronica and
pop, Violent Vickie kicks it up on
Monster Alley, her debut full-length
release with help on keys from Tyler
Holmes and Cat Scratch. With a voice
hauntingly evocative of Garbage's
Shirley Manson, Vickie's wryly
insightful lyrics are thought-provoking
like Le Tigre and Peaches before her.
Violent Vickie addresses topics like
consumerism, addiction and religion
without forsaking an infectious
electro-punk beat. The National
Organization for Women-NYC recently
pulled off a coup in featuring "The
Wolf," hot off Monster Alley, in a video
designed to up its cool factor: "When
you see me on the street, you think
I'm something you could eat...l don't
think you understand that I'm coming
for you, man." -MARIA
DELAD
Hi-Fashion
You
Are
Gorgeous
(Hi-~asnion)
For those still in mourning over
the Scissor Sisters' declaration of
indefinite hiatus, Hi-Fashion may
just be the auditory salve you've
been waiting for. Jen OM and Rick
Gradone met at a gay bar and soon
after formed Hi-Fashion, so it's little
surprise they fly their Pride flag
high. They've been described as
theatrical, lavish and hilarious-and
with good reason. Their lyrics are
clever, irreverent and often naughty.
And their visually stunning videos
play more like performance art than
your run of the mill music video.
YouAre Gorgeousmarks the duo's
sophomore EP and they maintain
their gift creating cheeky, raunchy
and undeniably catchy electrodance music. The standout track,
"Eighteen" is a call to get freaky on
the dance floor with its none-toosubtly suggestive lyrics and throbbing
SHATTO
beats. -RACHEL
WANT
TOSEE
MORE?
GET
CLRVE•
FOR
ADDITIONAL
IMAGES
AND
VIDEO
28
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
REVIEWS/
Power and Pleasure
Tristan Taormina is back with her feminist take on porn.
BY DAR DOWLING
o you want to know about G~spot
orgasms, female ejaculation, anal
sex, open relationships, sex toys ...
well, Tristan Taormina can give
you the education you've been looking for,
and then some. I ran into Taormina, who is
one of the hottest queer sex educators on
the planet, at BookExpo America (BEA)
in New York City this year, where she was
signing Stripped Down: Lesbian Sex Stories.
And talk about product placement-the
folks at BEA certainly have a great sense
of humor, because at the signing they put
her right beside Mother Dolores Hart
S
(once a Hollywood starlet, now a contem~
plative nun), who was there signing her
memoir, The Ear of the Heart. Both books
no doubt provide useful information, but
Stripped Down is the one you want on your
nightstand, because it delivers the kind of
multi~orgasmic experience you expect from
Taormina, who is also the co~editor of the
newly released Feminist Porn Book: The
Politics of Producing Pleasure.
Producing pleasure? Yes, Taormina
considers herself a feminist pornographer,
having produced and directed 24 adult
films, including two videos based on her
BOOKS
book The Ultimate Guide to
Anal Sex for Women as well
as Chemistry, a reality~based
series of full~length movies in
which the performers choose
their own sex partners. At the
2010 Good for Her Feminist
Porn Awards, which "cele~
brate, recognize, and endorse
filmmakers who create erotic media with
a feminist sensibility;' Taormina was given
the Trailblazer Award. While her films
are definitely educational, they are explicit,
and raw, and-most
importantly to Taor~
mino-authentic
in depicting how women
actually like to have sex.
Her chapter in The Feminist Porn Book
starts: "My passion for sex education made
me a pornographer ... " When she thought
about making a video to go along with The
Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women,
she wanted to reach a broad audience and
teamed up with Evil Angel, the only main~
stream company that was willing to take
on a sex education film. Taormina got a
crash course in making porn, but she also
introduced her own ideas. She wanted the
film to be as hot as it was educational, so
viewers would actually want to have sex
after watching it. To achieve this, she cast
women who loved having anal sex, and this
focus on "female pleasure" and "real female
orgasms" is something that runs through~
out her film work. Today, she's still focused
on having a diverse audience, whether
she's leading a workshop or producing a
film. "I love the idea of teaching a strap~on
class and having a dyke sitting next to a
straight couple;' she says.
The transition from writer and sex
educator to pornographer wasn't a big
one, intellectually or emotionally, because
Taormina never thought that all porn was
degrading to women. Having seen lesbian
feminist smut films such as Suburban
Dykes, in 1991, she knew that it was pos~
sible to make "revolutionary porn:' Yet it
wasn't until 2005 that she decided to join
the revolution, since she wasn't happy with
the way it was ignoring women's needs.
"I wanted to make a different kind of
porn;' she says-porn
that she actually
wanted to watch: porn that was ethically
made, that moved away from shallow
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
29
REVIEWS/
BOOKS
images, challenged stereotypes, focused on
female desire and power-and
porn that
was hot. So she put her own body on the
line, actually performing in some of her
films. "What's exciting about feminist porn
is that it's ours;' she says.
What does this mean for lesbians?
Well, it means seeing "authentic lesbian
sex;' because in her films Taormino only
shoots "down and dirty lesbian sex scenes"
with women who really like having sex with
other women. "They must really know their
way around the vulva'' and demonstrate
"real lesbian desire;' insists Taormino, who
believes there are more feminists behind
and in front of the camera these days than
ever before.
"Feminist porn is finally having its
moment;' she says. So much so that this
year Taormino launched the Feminist
Porn Conference, which by all accounts
was a huge success, and will be held again
next year.
The longer I talked with her, the more I
realized that lesbians are coming out on the
winning side of the porn wars, with films
that not only turn us on but expand the
boundaries of sexual representation as well.
(puckerup.com) •
ATryst
With
Tristan
ON HER BEST FILMS FOR LESBIANS:
Well, my films are primarily straight movies,
although some contain lesbian scenes and and/
or feature queer performers. Everyone loves
the Chemistry series; it's my reality porn series.
RoughSex #2 has two awesome scenes,
one between Madison Young and Dylan Ryan
and another between April Flores and Claire
Adams. From the Expert Guide series, I
recommend Expert Guideto FemaleOrgasms
and Expert Guideto Pegging:Strap-on Anal Sex
for Couples.
ON WHAT TO WATCH TO SEE HER IN ACTION:
I've had sex on camera in three films, two of
them directed by me: The Ultimate Guideto
Anal Sex for Women(1999), TheUltimate Guide
to Anal Sex for Women2 (2001), and Ecstatic
Moments from Libido Productions (1999). In
my current films, I host and teach on camera
(but don't have sex) in all the Expert Guide sex
education movies.
30
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
EDITOR'S
PICK»
BYRACHEL
PEPPER
Ghost Wife: A Memoir
of Love and Defiance
Michelle Dicinoski
(Black Inc.)
The issue of immigration reform is particularly poignant for LGBT
couples. When couples can't legally marry, and are of different
nationalities, staying together is especially complex. For Australian
writer Michelle Dicinoski and her American lover Heather, the
journey to publicly and personally validate their relationship led
them to marriage. In this memoir Dicinoski writes, "Marriage
was a crazy idea. We had only been together for fifteen months.
Heather wasn't an Australian citizen, and she would probably
have to leave the country when her student visa expired-and I
saw no way that I could move to the United States. I didn't know
where we would be in two or three years; our fate was dependent on economics and governments and bureaucrats." And
yet, states Dicinoski, these reasons confirmed her belief in the
very reasons why they should marry. And so the women head to
Ontario, Canada, gather family and friends together, and legally
wed. What makes Ghost Wife so engaging, however, is that it's
not just the story of a wedding. After all, personal accounts,
how-to guides, and even
photo books of lesbian and
gay marriage are common
now. Rather, Ghost Wife is
an insightful examination
of the human heart-the
choices we make, and the
chances we take, to find
and keep love. It's also a
haunting multi-generational
family drama, including a
historical account of the
neglected Australian children, of which the writer's
own mother was one, who
suffered in the care of state
institutions. Both elegiac
and celebratory, Ghost
Wife captures one couple's
journey not just towards
matrimony, but ultimately,
toward the redeeming
power of love.
REVIEWS/
FILM
Taking Over Tinseltown
Jamie Babbit on her new film Breaking the Girls and queering Hollywood.
H
ollywood director Jamie
Babbit likens her job to 'getting invited to a Christmas
dinner and you're the guest
of honor, but you've never met anyone:'
She says it takes a very specific skill set to
direct: "You have to be able to fit in immediately and also be in charge of everything:'
She certainly is the woman for the job
with a friendly, approachable air-like
the girl next door-and
a calm, practical
self-confidence.
Fourteen years since her iconic lesbian
feature But I'm a Cheerleader, Babbit has
been working "nonstop" in Hollywood and
is a member of the Directors Guild of
America, which still counts only 13 percent
women among its ranks. She's been called
"one of the hardest working directors in
Hollywood:' She says she feels very blessed
to have her career.'Tve gotten to work with
some really great actors. It's fun to work on
really big shows, like Smash or Alias:' She
says she enjoys running the studio productions with hundreds of people, numerous
camera crews and elaborate stunts. "It's a
tightly controlled ship that works really
well. It's fun to lead that ship:'
Curve caught up with Babbit in San
Francisco as she was being honored for
her contribution to queer media with
the Frameline Film Festival Award. She
also premiered her new thriller Breaking
the Girls, written by her buddy from Go
Fish days Guinevere Turner. Californication fans will recognize Madeline Zima
as one of the stars in this lesbian remake
of Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train.
With a campy sensibility and a B-movie
feel, the indie flick will surely gain a following for daytime TV's The Bold and
the Beautiful star Agnes Bruckner and the
lovely Drop Dead Diva regular Kate Levering. "It was a different way of working ...
seat of your pants, low down and dirty
filmmaking," says Babbit of the difference
between studio and indie directing.
At the Castro Theatre presentation,
Frameline's programmer Des Buford noted
that Babbit has always been out and
that the throughline in her work is that
it's "authentically feminist at its core. Go
On, featuring a lesbian wedding episode;
Drop Dead Diva including a hilarious lesbian prom episode with Wanda Sykes;
Smash; Revenge; United States of Tara;
The Middle; Cougar Town; The L Word;
Gossip Girl; Gilmore Girls; Ugly Betty;
ev KATHLEEN w1LK1NsoN
Alias; Nip/Tuck; Popular and lately the
hit HBO series Girls-what is consistent
in all of her work? A female character, often
an easily identifiable lesbian or one with
an unidentified sexuality, front and center.
They have a very clear voice and are usually
resisting societal or gender norms. For far
too long femaleness and queer femininity
REVIEWS/
FlLM
''
It's definitely getting
better, even on
television there are
many more gay
characters, but there's
still so much more
room. I'm still hungry
for movies with plots
about our community.
''
have been pushed to the margins. Babbit
will have none of that in her work.
Accepting the award Babbit noted that
she had screened her short SleepingBeauties
to the Castro in 1999 and hopes that the
short film directors of today will be fol~
lowing with features in the next 15 years.
She added that she herself hoped to bring
10 lesbian features back in the next 20
years. "Let's go for that;' she quipped.
As for film and TV, Babbit sees things
improving for both women and queers. "I
do think it's getting better for women in
Hollywood. It was a very closed door for a
lot of people because it's union and it pays
really well:' She sees women 10 and 20 years
older than hersel£ the true pioneers, who
are still working and believes more women
32
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
will be coming up the ranks. As for queer
representation, she adds, "It's definitely
getting better, even on television there are
many more gay characters, but there's still
so much more room. I'm still hungry for
movies with plots about our community:'
As grateful as she is for the opportunity
to do the work she loves, she's also proud
of being a mom and having a career at the
same time. She has two daughters: ages 6
and 9. "It's a hard thing to pull off, sustain~
ing a directing career that you can make a
living off of for a lifetime. I always wanted
to be a breadwinner who can provide for
my family. That seemed like a feminist
agenda to me too:'
She acknowledges the balance is a hard
one. "There's a lot more leniency in father~
hood, social acceptance of certain things,
like if you have a job and work a lot of hours,
'Good for you!' But if you're a mother, it's:
'How could you?'"
As for marriage, Babbit takes a more
sardonic view, which she attributes to being
divorced (from producer Andrea Sperling).
'Tm all for equal rights and for the mar~
riage laws to be the same, but I also am very
understanding as someone who has been in
a gay divorce with two kids, what it means,
the legality and the financial [side] ... it's a
lot. A lot of gay people are super excited
about running out and getting married, but
I think it's just as challenging for gay people
as it is for straight people. When everyone's
like, Yeah, I can't wait to get married. I'm
like, Guys, relax:'
What's next for Babbit? The answer is,
a lot. Like most TV directors, she will have
her"dance card" filled in July for the coming
year. She already knows she will be working
with Rebel Wilson (PitchPerfect)on a new
comedy series for ABC, SuperFun Night, as
well as a new gay male show and a comedy
show pilot for HBO. She's also planning to
continue to work on Drop Dead Diva.
Beyond this year's line~up, Babbit can
spiel off a ton of ideas for new series she'd
like to do-everything
from a series with
Breaking the Girls as a backstory to one
based on the original author of Strangerson
a Train. "I am a huge Patricia Highsmith
fan:' Tue director read Highsmith's biogra~
phy for her recent film and was intrigued
by the challenges that the famous lesbian
writer faced. She was "an out woman or a
sort~of out woman, a woman who wore
pants ... there were very few restaurants in
the West Village where she was allowed to
eat because a lot of restaurants were: 'No
pants allowed: I would love to see a televi~
sion show like Mad Men with a character
like the real Patricia Highsmith, a writer
who lived in those times:'
She also fancies a lesbian Western series.
"I was a huge fan of Barbara Stanwyck in
The Big Valley. I didn't know why I was
totally drawn to her. I would like to see
gay life in Western times. There's a lot to
explore. I hope to be part of that creation
of our stories:'•
FEATURES/
LAUGHTRA
GETTINGLAUGHS
THE HARDEWAY
MAC
HARDE
BRINGS
HER
POWERFUL
PRESENCE
TOTHEPEOPLE.
BY CLARA BEARD
What's coming up for you this
year?
I want to excite more people. I'm not
going to deny any breathing creature
on this earth the chance to feel the
power of the lez. Onstage, I'll con~
tinuously raise the bar on myself to
be an exciting and unique entertain~
er. I strive to rewire people's minds.
Offstage, you can hear me on Bailey
Jay Radio on the RiotCast Network
and I'll be producing original qual~
ity content consistently at powerlez.com.
How do go about rewiring your audience's minds?
I aim to replace associations people have with things. I make you
rethink what you thought you thought. There are many lesbians
in the world, but only few are power lez, and of these power lez
there can be only one "Most Powerful Lez:' (powerlez.com) •
ac Harde, self-proclaimed "world's most
powerful lez," blew onto the Gulf Coast
comedy scene just a year ago, but the
comic is already making a name for herself
online with an unforgettable presence and
distinctive delivery. The flannel-loving power lezzie is on an
ongoing mission to rewire people's perception of life, identity and
what it means to be a powerful woman, one laugh at a time.
How did you get into the business of making people laugh?
As the most powerful lez, I'm compelled to put my lez power on
display and to share it with the masses. In stand~up comedy, it's
just the perfect situation. There's a stage, there's a microphone and
there's light. It's what's natural for me.
How do you write your material?
I write and tailor my set for the specific audience, but sometimes
the crowd is different than expected and you need to change it up
on the fly. I put on my denim and my flannel, which are excellent
conductors for lez power. I brush that hair back and I get on out
there and I mingle with the people. I enjoy interacting with the
crowd pre~show. It builds anticipation. I love to play shows where
no one has heard of the most powerful lez yet, and I watch as they
all receive that power for the first time.
Do you prep for the stage?
I don't go over my show notes too much, I know what I'm going to
say. Usually, beforehand I'll crack open a bottle of Merlot. If I'm
going to get particularly rowdy, it might be a bottle of Cuervo.
I'll get out there early to hang with my fellow comics. There's a
great bunch down here in the Gulf Coast. It's not only about
getting my lez power out there, it's about spending time with
those in my field.
How do you handle rowdy crowds?
I pride myself on being an exciting comic. I'll break it down to
you like this: I'm not just a female comic and I'm not just a lesbian
comic, I'm the most powerful lez. So when I get up there, and the
crowd knows that the most powerful lez is about to take the stage,
99.9 percent of the time, the crowd is listening in rapt attention to
hear what I have to say.
Who are your creative influences?
I guess my number one influence would be Joey Coco Diaz[and] of course Roseanne and Andrew Dice Clay.
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
33
TURES/
STYLE
Dear Curvettes,
We've had a jam-packed month in London, hardly
enough time for a scone! Rainbow flags in one hand,
our son in the other, singing in unison outside the
Houses of Parliament. Never have we witnessed so
much support, and we've been to a few rallies in our
time! We made the newspapers and TV so we had
one happy little boy. Marriage equality is so close we
can almost taste it...and we're at the start of planning
one of the most amazing days of our lives. We can't
wait to share our journey with you all.
In the meantime, we're best known for
encouraging you to be yourselves through fashion.
For this month's Celebrity issue we're saying that
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We saw
Pink last month in London and a look-a-like special
was most definitely on the cards but with wearable
and easily created looks that could inspire us all.
In our photo shoot, "Pink," with her rebellious rock
image, teams up with "Blondie" bombshell Debbie
Harry, a pop pioneer with cross-generational appeal.
When it comes to being themselves, these ladies
have it down.
So while we're trying to pin down a single date
to view wedding dresses, a venue, not to mention
drawing up a guest list when most of the traditional
individuals do not approve of our union, we stop
and look at the confidence of our tenacious female
celebrities and imagine walking in their shoes.
Shoes! Haven't even thought of shoes for the
wedding. For two women who mostly live in military
boots, this could well be a military operation.
Until next time,
c;;,te,&t:0
aJ"vcf/_,,,v/f
Y,y:,
"ALOOH-A-LIHE
SPE
CIA_L
BUT
WITH
WEARABLE
LOOKS
THAT
COULD
INSPIRE
USALL:'
/
CHARLY WEARS:
Denim jacket,
Topshop $62
Striped jumper,
River Island $54
ROBYN WEARS:
Stripy skirt,
Topshop $44
T-shirt,
Truffleshuffle $39
Black ankle boots,
Office $78
Black leather gloves,
Topshop $19
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
37
-
WILDFANG
CELEBRATES
TOMBOY
TRAILBLAZERS.
By Rachel Shatto
I
Photography by Liam Gilles
I
Artwork by Matt Jones
ildfang swaggered into the fashion
world earlier this year with their
youthful and cheeky take on
tomboy couture. Kickstarted by
Emma Mcilroy and Julia Parsley, Wildfang turned
heads immediately with their eye-catching video
and photo shoot featuring lezzie faves Megan
Rapinoe, Kate Moennig and Hannah Blilie,
among others, as models. Mcilroy and Parsley
wanted to create a place where fellow wildfangs
(German slang for tomboy) could finally find
clothes like those they had eyed longingly in
the men's department, but that were made to
fit them.
A lot has happened in the short time since
they opened their online store. "We are about
to launch our first-ever store in Portland, Ore.
We also have our first-ever Wildfang clothing
collection. We produced an amazing range of
button ups with a very talented tomboy designer
in Canada, and we think wildfangs are going to
love it," says Mcilroy.
TURES/
STYLE
hile Mcilroy and Parsley have their
eyes fixed firmly on the future
for their ICONS lookbook, their
inspiration was the gender defiant
style icons who first blazed a trail for
the tomboy aesthetic. "We believe tomboy isn't
a trend. We believe the tomboy has always been
with us and always will be. In order to prove our
point, we thought we'd look to all those badass
ladies who've been rocking men's-inspired looks
for decades," explains Mcilroy. "We sat down
and brainstormed the women who'd inspired us,
the women who we wanted to be, growing up.
Then we brought them to life through stunning
40
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
photography and rad items from our collection."
Wildfang icons include silver screen star
(and power lesbian of Tinseltown's golden age)
Marlene Dietrich; androgynous punk provocateur
Patti Smith; and the gender blurring A-lister Tilda
Swinton (channeled by the equally androgynous
Hannah Blilie of Gossip), along with Francoise
Hardy, Gwen Stefani and Diane Keaton-all fierce
tomboys in their own right. "Each of them rocks
the tomboy attitude and the tomboy style,"
says Mcilroy. "They've been stealing their outfits
from the guys for decades and they're all bold,
confident, talented women that you can really
look up to." (wildfang.com)
/'
GWEN
No Permit Needed MuJcle Tank, $34
Slow Your Roll ~atlter Sweats, $398
Stacked ~ BMireepers, $75
Half Digit Walle KIJQ-i-kleRing, $28
Cheers Mo~er F* er Flask, $50
I
"WEBELIEVE
TOMBOY
ISN'T
ATREND.
WEBELIEVE
THE
TOMBOY
HAS
ALWAYS
BEEN
WITH
UBAND
ALWAYS
WILL
BE."
42
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
TILDA
On Your Vest Behavior, $158
Leather Lattice Oxford, $168
Don't Blow it Necklace, $30
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
43
n April 28, 2008, Eudy
Simelane, a midfielder
on the South African national women's soccer team,
was gang-raped, beaten and
stabbed 25 times. The Banyana
Banyana star was an out lesbian and
LGBT community activist in her home, the
township of KwaThema, on the outskirts
of Springs, a city of 200,000 in Gauteng
Province. A memorial bridge built by the
Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, with
the help of 700 volunteers, now marks the
site where her body was found, only a few
hundred yards from her parents' house.
Although dozens of black lesbians have
been similarly targeted and attacked since
her death, there has been no official response
from the South African government or law
enforcement.
The UK-based advocacy group Football
v Homophobia (FvH) hopes to change
that. Early in 2013, in consultation with
South African feminist groups, FvH collected data on homophobic violence and
prepared an infographic designed to engage
and mobilize many international soccer
communities.
"When we think about homophobia
in the sport, we tend to focus on chanting from the fan terraces or on wondering
when a male pro player will come out,"
44
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Megan Worthing-Davies, one of the campaign directors, explains. "But when you
look at what's happening in South Africa,
you see the other end of the continuum of
homophobia, of homophobic violence:'
The FvH team, of which I am a member, was able to confirm over 50 acts of
homophobic violence against LGBT people in South Africa since 2001. Of these, 16
were against lesbian soccer players.
''As a group fighting homophobia in football-soccer, to you (in the United States
and Canada]-we want to make the game
safe for people of all gender expressions;'
adds initiative co-director Lou Englefield.
It's a big task for a group run by just a
few people, in a sport that has a persistent
reputation for homophobia, but what we
discovered was heartening: an unofficial
transnational network of soccer-loving
activists who are using a beautiful game to
change the world.
B
lack lesbians and their bodies have long
been objectified and sensationalized,
Zanele Muholi, an award-winning
South African documentary filmmaker,
told me on a Skype call. She went on to say
that she doesn't want to work with me ifl
will be" writing from the outside:'
She has a valid point, and I'm not sure
how to respond. I'm a white Canadian who
has spent a grand total of six weeks in her
country. But I'm also an activist writer with
access to an international readership.
"If you really want to help lesbian footballers, help get them to matches;' Muholi
says. I don't have the heart to tell her that
Football v Homophobia operates with
no budget. "Connect with 'Foot for Love'
from Paris;' she suggests. "Last year, they
brought several of our players to France
for a tournament:'
Although I've only just learned of
Muholi's documentary work-sensitive
and dignified portraits of black lesbians in
video and in wrenchingly intimate photographs-she knows me.
"I remember you from London;' she says,
and when I admit that I can't place her, she
adds, 'Tm not a footballer. I was the black
woman with the camera:'
Muholi is referring to the 2008
International Gay and Lesbian Football
Association (IGLFA) tournament. Soccer
teams from around the world flew to
England to compete in a sort of LGBT
World Cup. Muholi was there with the
South African lesbian team, The Chosen
Few. As we're talking, I recall one of
their players telling me that some of their
teammates hadn't made it to London. It
was the first time I'd heard the term "corrective rape:'
l
initially learned of Football v Homophobia in 2010, just five years after I
began playing soccer and three years
into my volunteer tenure with an LGBTfriendly city league. Impressed by its
mandate-"to
make football safe for
everyone" -and eager to contribute to a
diversity agenda on the international stage,
I volunteered with the organization, acting
as their North American liaison.
The three years since I began my work
with FvH were significant for rights-aware
fans of the women's game. In 2011, at the
FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany,
Nigerian national team coach Eucharia
Uche sparked controversy after she stated
that she had used religion to rid her team
of homosexuality. During the following
year, midfielder Megan Rapinoe of the
U.S. national women's team came out as a
lesbian, and she was one of over 100 outand-proud athletes at the 2012 Olympics.
And although I didn't know it at the time,
in those three years in South Africa, at
least seven lesbian soccer players were
attacked and raped because of their
sexuality. Two of these women died as a
result of their injuries.
Rape is underreported globally. Stigma,
fear of reprisals, and sexism in law enforcement and the media all contribute to what
many feminists call a "rape culture" -that
is, a culture where sexual violence is prevalent, and where norms and attitudes excuse
or even condone rape. Though South
Africa has some of the most progressive equality laws in the world-it
was
the fifth country globally and the first in
Africa to legalize same-sex marriage-the
relationships between gender, race and class
in a post-apartheid society have fostered an
especially brutal rape culture. In South
Africa, women are raped so frequently
that the country has been called the "rape
capital of the world:'
Eudy Simelane's murder got the attention of the mainstream press, which began
to write about so-called corrective rape, or
the deliberate attack on lesbians or women
perceived to be lesbian with the intention
to punish and "cure" them of their sexuality.
A more accurate term, and one that does
not pathologize lesbianism, is "homophobic rape:•
In South Africa, just as it is in the rest
of the world, soccer is a powerful tool for
personal and community empowerment.
Lesbian players build teams like The
Chosen Few to compete in tournaments at
the local, national and international levels.
But the game is also perceived to be a man's
sport in the country, and female players of
all sexualities transgress gender norms.
0
n February 14, 2013, while people
from around the world gathered,
danced and protested violence against
women and girls as part of the One Billion
Rising movement, Football v Homophobia
released its infographic to the public.
"In much the same way that the global
family of women was connecting that day,
we hoped to connect the football family;'
Worthing- Davies explains.
The response was gratifying, with hundreds of hits coming to the FvH website
within the first few weeks.
Sporting organizations
and media
outlets from Canada, the United States,
and the United Kingdom picked up the
story, driving home the campaign's main
message-that
homophobic rape should
be classified as a hate crime under South
African law-and
sending readers to an
Amnesty International petition calling
for justice for murdered lesbian soccer
player Noxolo Nogwaza, who died on
April 24, 2011.
And, as they hoped, the project got
the attention of the international football
communities. In the days after the infographic was released, Les Degommeusesthe team responsible for the"Foot for Love"
initiative in Paris-contacted
Football v
Homophobia and the groups began strategizing about ways to support members of
The Chosen Few in getting to Belgium to
compete in the 2013 World Outgames in
Antwerp. In May, The Chosen Few received
an Outgames scholarship covering the
team's registration and housing.
On the eve of One Billion Rising, Eve
Ensler, the renowned playwright who
founded the organization, wrote that the
movement ': .. brought together coalitions
of groups and individuals that have never
worked together before, galvanized new
people and groups and associations:' So it
is with soccer.
In remembering my conversation with
Zanele Muholi, and her worry that I might
write this story "from the outside;' I look
back on our multinational effort. If I can't
be on the inside as a black woman, and I
can't be on the inside as a South African, I
can be on the inside as a soccer player. •
LEARN
MORE
AND
ACT
Footballv Homo hobia
footballvhomophobia.com
LulekiSizwe
lulekisizwe.com
➔ Sign
the Amnesty
Internationalpetition
demandingan
investigationinto Noxolo
Nogwaza'smurder at
http://bit.ly/10E19jx
FreeGender
freegender.wordpress.com
➔ Todonate to The
ZaneleMuholi
inkanyiso.org
ChosenFew,contact
project1@few.co.za
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
45
Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele tie the k~
,oHNs
ven though Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele are high-profile
lesbians (Carpenter, 46, is the co-owner of R Family Vacations;
Steele, 39, is an award-winning singer), they both wanted to
hold their June 1 wedding at home. "We wanted the concept of
home and family to be the central focus of not only our wedding but
our commitment to each other," says Carpenter. Their inspiration was
a Martha Stewart-esque backyard BBQ, and their home, which is in
the village of Chestnut Ridge, NY, was the perfect location. "We had a
picture in our heads of exactly what we wanted, and the wedding not
only met those expectations but went truly beyond."
E
After the couple selected matching rings inspired by Tiffany, they
chose their 11~year~old daughter, Vivi, as their ring bearer. Indeed,
their four children (custody of whom Carpenter shares with her
former wife, Rosie O'Donnell), played central roles in the wedding.
Sons Parker and Blake escorted the brides down the makeshift
aisle. Chelsea, their eldest daughter, read them a letter she had
written for the occasion. "It was so beautiful to have the ones we
love participate in the ceremony;' says Carpenter.
Steele wore a gown of fuchsia; Carpenter's was bright turquoise.
"It feels that our lives, friends and family are full of color and light.
So we decided that each of us would wear a brightly colored dress
and the kids would wear bright colors also:'
The couple chose to divide the
task of celebrant among friends.
The beginning of the ceremony was
led by Cathi Scalise, who has known
Carpenter for over 23 years and has
known Steele as a performer on R
Family Vacations cruises for 10
years. Officiating was the Honorable
Lorna Schofield, a friend of the cou~
ple's who was recently nominated by
President Obama and confirmed by
the Senate as a federal judge.
A big surprise was the absence of a wedding cake. "We had
a candy bar that was adorable;' says Carpenter, but perhaps
the most delightful surprise was how the night's entertainment
unfolded. "The evening continued with toasts from our good
friends Gerri Viant and Nate Buccieri;' says Carpenter. Buccieri,
Steele's musical director, assembled a flash mob that included
all her friends from her regular gig at Brandy's Piano Bar. With
a DJ, dancing and drinking, it was only a matter of time until
someone jumped into the pool. "Finally, our youngest son, Blake,
decided it was time for the two of us to jump in;' says Carpenter.
"So he did a big push and there we were, in the pool with our
dresses on!"•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
47
TURES/ THE
L LIST
OSCAR
WINNER
OLYMPIA
DUKAKIS
ISTHRILLED
WITH
HER
LESBIAN
ROLE
INCLOUDBURST.
BY LAURIE K. SCHENDEN
OLYMPIA
DLJKAKIS
admits she's rebellious. In fact, these days the
popular stage and screen actor sounds a lot like her character in
Cloudburst, a butch lesbian named Stella.
"My career? I'm 82 years old-what do I give a shit about'career;"
wails one of entertainment's grande dames.
Dukakis has had a long and distinguished career, which includes
her Academy Award-winning performance in Moonstruck. But
she is passionate about Cloudburst, an independent lesbian~themed
film that was released on DVD in July.
"There's a scene where you see the price she pays for that rebel~
liousness;' Dukakis says of Stella. "It was shocking to me, shocking.
Because I have that in my own nature, as you can probably tell. I
don't take things-sit down and shut up. What's interesting is that
I saw that, and I saw that in myself'
Dukakis isn't shy about issues close to her heart, or about her
politics. (Her cousin Michael Dukakis is a former governor, and
was the Democratic nominee for president in 1988.)
In Cloudburst, she teams up with fellow Oscar~winner Brenda
Fricker, who plays Dot. Stella and Dot's life commitment is threat~
ened when age and health issues make them vulnerable to outsiders.
Unfortunately, it's an all~too~familiar scenario for LGBT couples.
Stella's outspokenness only gets in the way as she tries to take
control of the life she and Dot have built over 31 years. Dot's grand~
daughter tries to remove Dot from that relationship, and remove
Stella from the home that she and Dot share.
Some Americans might be surprised to learn that federal courts
have often sided with family members over the wishes of gay and
lesbian couples, even if the couple's wishes are stated in a will or a
trust (which is one reason why the Supreme Court ruling on gay
marriage is so important). Cloudburst, based on a play by Thom
Fitzgerald, attracted the two veteran actors because they loved the
script and had both worked with Fitzgerald before.
"We enjoyed working together, and, to tell you the truth;' says
Dukakis sincerely,"! really trust him. He said to me,'The rebellious~
ness and the price [Stella] paid, that's all you, Olympia: I thought,
Yes, he's right, that is. It's the first time I've seen that in mysel£ So it
was an extraordinary experience for me, the whole thing:'
Fitzgerald directed Dukakis in The Event (2003), about New
York's gay population, and in 3 Needles (2005), in which she plays a
nun dealing with the spread of HIV/ AIDS in Africa. In Cloudburst,
Stella dresses in flannel and speaks her often~dirty mind. But she's
attentive and loving to Dot, her blind, more timid life~partner.
Stella springs Dot from an old~folks facility, and they hightail
it to Canada to get married. They pick up a young hitchhiker
(Ryan Doucette) who, disowned by his own family, becomes a
co~conspirator,friend and ultimately chosen family.
The script has some sad and disturbing moments and many
hilarious ones. One of Stella's stories is brash enough to get her
kicked out of a man's car. (He assuming she is a helpless old lady, a
persona she pulls off using a headscarf as a prop).
In another scene, Stella explains her "last meal" in graphic
terms-i£ hypothetically, she found herself on death row. That
fantasy involves k.d. lang (whose music is also heard in the film),
so I asked Dukakis if she'd ever heard from lang about their "meal"
together. Dukakis said she had not. But they did meet once.
"I actually went up to her in a restaurant in L.A.;' she recalls. "I
saw her sitting at a table with somebody. I so admired her singing.
I went up and introduced mysel£ And she was very nice and polite,
but I was obviously interrupting a romantic interlude there, so I
didn't stay too long:'
Dukakis isn't happy that Cloudburst isn't getting theatrical distri~
bution in the U.S. "You can't get a film like Cloudburst in theaters in
the United States? Look, this is the country we're living in, you can't
get that film distributedt she says with indignation. "It played for
10 weeks in Toronto!"
Dukakis has loved the story from the start. "I thought it was a
love story. I liked this character. I liked the genuineness, her willing~
ness to confront things, and I was moved by the price she paid for
how she wanted to live and what she had to do:'
She had no problem with Stella's colorful vocabulary, which goes
from the S~word to the F~word to the C~word. "I had a great time
doing it, I loved doing it;' she says. "I've done a lot of things that
were about nothing. Just to have a good time, whatever, just making
a buck. But I also make sure I do parts that are about something:'
This film, she says proudly, is "about something;' as evidenced by
the feedback she's gotten."It means a great deal to me that it's affect~
ed people;' she says. It reminds her of the groundbreaking 1990s
PBS series Tales of the City, in which she plays a male~to~female
transgender character.
"I had a similar experience then. It does matter to me-a lot;'
she says. "Especially the younger women, the lesbian women, the
understanding of what came before them and how women were
treated, and how they had to live, how they had to hide:' Dukakis
even sent the script to lesbian friends her own age who had expe~
rienced rejection from their families and "lived their whole life
without talking about it .... Not that, that doesn't happen today, it
does, but then it happened much more, much more:'
She has no fear that playing a rude and crude lesbian will tarnish
her good name. "I stopped worrying about my career when I was
60 or something;' she says. "We joke about it, my husband and I.
Was this is a good career move? People talk about careers going up
and down, mine just moves to the side. I go here, then I go do this.
Then I had three kids, you know? My career is a part of my life, it
wasn't my life:'•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
49
on't let conventional wisdom fool you into think~
ing that because she grew up in Spanish Harlem,
Monifah Carter's only route to prominence was
the music scene. Her mother enrolled her in Monica May's Children's
Acting Academy when she was 7, and as a 9~year~old she was doing
Shakespeare off~Broadway. In May, Carter told the Advocate,''I'm not
just a recording artist, not just an R&B singer. I'm grateful for my
mom in culturing me and showing me that there was more than the
four corners of the street we lived on:'
So Carter was not an ingenue when she did actually burst onto
the music scene, in 1996. Under the tutelage of the late Heavy
D, she released "I Miss You (Come Back Home)" from her debut
album, Moods ... Moments. The album rose to No. 6 on the U.S.
R&B charts. Two additional albums followed, Mo'hogany in 1998,
which went gold, and Home in 2000. However, when Home didn't
sell as well as her previous albums had, Carter was dropped from
her label, and subsequently she disappeared from the limelight.
A decade later, Carter is back and fiercer than ever. Not only is
the songstress starring in the hit reality series R&B Divas, she has
come out as a lesbian.
On R&B Divas, Carter stars alongside Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert,
SyleenaJohnson, and KeKe Wyatt (Angie Stone and LaTocha Scott
joined the cast in season two). In the first season, the women came
together to create a tribute album to the late Whitney Houston, and
season two sees them exploring the possibility of a tour. In addition to
their musical collaboration, the series follows the cast through many
personal and professional challenges and triumphs, and of course it
features plenty of interpersonal drama, as well. Amid all the conflict,
Carter is often the peacemaker and the voice of reason in the group,
a role that she would be the first to say was hard~won, and achieved
only through years of struggle and personal growth. "The reason I did
[R&B Divas] was to show by example. People can be like, 'OK, wow,
and now I have to live my best life, and live it right:"
Along with revealing her sexuality to millions of TV viewers,
Carter also revealed that during her absence from public life she
struggled with-and
ultimately conquered-a
seven~year addiction
to cocaine. Today, she is in a much better place. Both her career and
her personal life are back on track. "I have had so much support, it
has been so amazing. And to have the opportunity to share my truth
and give that kind of support, everything is just turning full circle;'
says Carter.
While many queer celebrities still feel the need to remain dos~
eted, Carter has never really had to do that. "I never lived on the
down~low;' she says. She began dating women at about the same time
that she released her first hit song, and has never hidden her relation~
ships. Her integrity has paid off, and today she is happily engaged to
her beautiful partner, Terez (who proposed to a tearful Carter in the
season two finale).
"My relationship is real. You have to teach people how to treat
you. Especially in the reality~TV game;' says Carter. She understands
what her image means and what she conveys through the use of it:
Whether the conversation is about her personal life or her profes~
sion, she refuses to be exploited. She is in a unique position and she
understands that. "I have a testimony that needs to come out of me:'
R&BDIVAS
STAR
MONIFAH
CARTER
ONREALITY
TVAND
LIVING
OPENLY.
BY LANIAYA ALESIA HOOFATT
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
51
n the series about a not-so-distant post-Apocalyptic
world full of aliens and humans trying to live together,
Jaime Murray brings to life the gorgeous Castithan
Stahma Tarr, a sexy and smart alien with long silky
white hair, lilac eyes and a chalky complexion. She
is also one half of a newly-emerging bisexual power
couple on the show with Mia Kirshner's sultry Kenya
Rosewood, the proprietress of border town Defiance's brothel, as
her other hal£
Murray is no stranger to queer roles, having played gay in
Spartacus and Warehouse 13. She has become a lesbian favorite,
and after a recent chat, I can tell you there are some very real reasons for it. She is devastatingly charming, smart, engaging, funny
and genuine. And she loves her lesbian fans. "Lesbians are pretty
badass;' she says. While talking about queer fans she's met on
Twitter and at Comic-Con she adds, "They are everything I love
in women-interesting,
snarky and ironic:'
The British beauty didn't always want to be an actor."! wanted
to be prime minister or a nurse when I grew up;' she says.
Her father, however, was a thespian, and Murray recalls
being cast in a school play as Mary Magdalene. At
first she was "over the moon" thinking she was
playing the Virgin Mary, only to be disappointed
when she found out she wasn't. When she went
home her mother told her "it sounds like a
much better role to me;' and it was.
Murray's been riding that wave ever
since giving into the acting bug. ''I've always played highly sexualized women;'
she notes. She also has a history of playing very complicated women, whether
that's H.G Wells on Warehouse 13 or
Defiance's Stahma Tarr-and
it's
something she's really enjoyed. "I
love playing strong, powerful, interesting women who go their own
way;' she says, adding "and if that is
the energy I'm putting out, I'm
really happy with that:'
When she's not acting, modeling or giving interviews she is crafty.
JAIME
MURRAY
ISIRRESISTIBLE
INSYFY'S
DEFIANCE.
BY DAR DOWLING
You might find her redesigning a room, cutting up her clothing to
make something new or creating a piece of art, although she may
also be at a music festival or two since she is a big music fan.
Look for Murray in Defiance, which she's filming in Toronto, a
city she's come to love-so much so that she actually gives me tips
on Toronto Gay Pride and where to eat. And speaking of delicious,
Murray will also be playing a vampire, no doubt a hot vampire, in
Fright Night 2, out just in time for Halloween.
M
BLE
COURTNEY
TROUBLE
SERVES
UPFAT-POSITIVE
FEMINIST
PORN.
BY ADAM L. BRINKLOW
Q
ueer porn icon Courtney Trouble promises she's
not trying to step on our toes with the title of
her latest project. "My big thing this year is called
Lesbian Curves;'Trouble says."! did think of Curve when I
bought the domain name ... but that's not why I did it:'
While Trouble's new endeavor isn't by Curve, it's definitely
for us. "Lesbian Curves is lesbian~identified porn with real
queer performers of all body types. It's not gay~for~pay;this
is the stuff that really goes on in people's bedrooms, and it's
a world we almost never get to see onscreen:'Trouble plans
to release four Lesbian Curves DVDs by the end of the
year and the series is already an award winner just from the
first volume, so clearly she's doing right by our namesake.
The Oakland~based Trouble shot her first photograph
at the age of 9, a picture of her father doing a handstand
outside the Kmart where he bought the camera for hershe still has it. Once she came of age she began doing nude
portraits and self portraits, and finally came the fateful day
in 2005 when she noticed the video button on her digi~
tal camera. "The universe was basically asking me to shoot
video porn, at that point;' she says.
The resulting video was a big hit. In fact, so is most of
Trouble's work; she's been a winner at the Feminist Porn
Awards five years running. Trouble's films are without a
doubt explicit, but they're also intimate, sincere, iconoclas~
tic and above all, genuinely queer.
She seems like a complicated woman if we judge from
the sheer volume of relevant labels. She's a self~described
"genderqueer fat feminist femme switch slutty monoga~
mist:' That's a lot to fit on a resume, but since Trouble tends
to create most of her job opportunities herself out of thin
air she probably doesn't need to trot out her full credentials
too often.
Of course, not everyone appreciates the Courtney
Trouble oeuvre. "Stigma comes from a lot of angles;' she
says. "From being queer, being plus size, being in porn, be~
ing the partner of a trans man. I once heard a drag queen
say that the key to getting by when you leave the house
everyday is to just pretend that nobody hates you until they
do something. That's how I approach ir:'
Despite her wild public image, behind the scenes
Trouble is a homebody at heart. "My persona is this
shameless party slur;' she jokes. "But these days I'm so~
ber and I'm not the mess I used to be. I really don't get
out that much:' Unless there's a camera running, then it's
lights, camera and ready for hot lezzie action.
LIJ
~
~
<
:i:
Q.
0
en
A
COUPLE
OFKNOCKOUTS
N
atalia Leite and Alexandra Roxo could not have picked
a more appropriate moniker for their new production
company, Knockout Pictures. Not only are they incredibly talented filmmakers-between
them they have written,
produced and directed; worked on narrative, documentary and
short films and promotional videos for fashion designers-but
they are a couple of knockouts themselves. The duo partnered up
with the intention of releasing female-driven, sexually progressive
and really funny material, and they're already making waves with
their web series, Be Here Now-ish.
Be Here Now-ish follows Sam and Nina (played, of course, by
Leite and Roxo) on a spiritual journey-slash-road trip from New
York City to Los Angeles. Also starring in the series is Karley
Sciortino from Vice magazine's online video series, Slutever.
"We decided to make this show because, well, for one, we really
like to have fun, and mostly because we really felt that there aren't
enough shows right now that reflect our lives and our community;'
says Leite. The hallmarks of the community they create onscreen
include New Agey solutions to life problems, sexual fluidity and
NATALIA
LEITE
AND
ALEXANDRA
ROXO
ARE
HERE
AND
QUEER
NOW.
BY ELIZABETH
ESTOCHEN
an abundance of awkward humor. "We are interested in creating
queer characters that are not the stereotypes weve seen on television over and over again. I mean, my character, for example, is
kind of a player, but she's not at all the typical sexy dangerous
butch-type. She's actually a little awkward, and maybe that makes
her more endearing:' Roxo adds, "Our characters are strugglingtrying to makes ends meet, do things they love, find a sense of
spirituality, and date in a new dating climate where lots of things
are changing."
Leite and Roxo hope to reach a broad audience with their
work. 'Tm more interested in speaking to a larger community
beyond the queer world, but with stories that reflect the LGBT
community;' says Leite."! don't want my films to just preach to the
converted. So we try to create stories that are accessible to a larger
audience and don't get pigeonholed:'
In addition to Be Here Now-ish, the two are taking on some
hybrid performance-documentary
films. "We just want to keep
making original new work that can be viewed by a large audience, and give voice to people and ideas we feel aren't represented
enough in media;' says Roxo. "We both have feature films in the
making and another TV series in development, and we plan on
continuing to work together as we grow:'
CURVE JUST
GOT COOLER.
VIDEO+ANIMATION+
ADVANCED NAVIGATION ...
YOU*LL WANT TO TOUCH.
I often overlook the fact that I need
·nspiration behind my work-why
·ect of my photography and why I
photograph them e way that I do. In a conversation I
had with a friend no ong ago, she put it into words in a
J.;.::::::===~~:!!!~!:!I~~:!!::!'!!\'erfectly.
We are close in age but
in life. A couple of years ago
• she had previously led, there
was nothing that she ha
id no to. Partying, drinking,
1 of it in excess. Anything
drugs, promiscuity-and
she desired, she consumed. he had lost herself in the
constant pursuit of satisfyi those desires, and thus
turned to God. She told me tH my own"manifestation
oflust" was expressed through my photography. All my
desires, vanities, obsessions, demons-everything
is
revealed in these pictures.
I've been taking pictures since the early 1980s,
photographing my nieces and nephews as they grew
up. I'm primarily selftaught. In the late '80s and early
'90s, I documented the Los Angeles underground
techno-house club and party scene through a fanzine I
published called Sensured. During the late '90s, I had
a membership-based website called Power Divas that
featured my photos of female bodybuilders. I launched
my erotic photography website, Vixen Obscura, in
A LIMITED AND 2000. Since then I've been published in several books,
NUMBERED including Taschen's The New Erotic Photography,
FlRSTEDITION Edition Skylight's Shaven or Unshaven, and Robinson
OF VIXEN Publishing's The Mammoth Book of Erotic Women
in Photographs. In 2008, I was included in German
OBSCURA
Playboy's The ABC's of Erotic Photography, special
FEATURING
edition. I've also been featured in numerous online
120 PAGESOF
galleries as well a few group photography shows.
COLOR AND
The majority of my photographs are in color, shot
B&W IMAGES mainly with film, but I also work with digital. I still
IS AVAILABLE shoot with my first camera, a Minolta X-370, 35mm.
FOR $30 AT Quite often, I get asked about my lighting. I don't use
VIXENOBSCURA.COM
strobes, flash or a light meter. I shoot with one "hot"
tungsten light and available light (daylight, fluorescent,
etc.). I don't utilize Photoshop or any other computer
program as a creative tool.
My models are a mix of strippers, porn stars, fetish
and fashion models, and women I've met in nightclubs
and online. Most of my photo shoots have taken place
at my friend's studio in East L.A. The studio is a virtual playground of themed constructed sets filled with
found objects. I don't put much thought into either the
backdrops or the settings. I like to keep that at a subconscious level. But I have noticed that there are a few
reoccurring themes in my photos.
I'm not worried about being seen as objectifying
women. I'm also not trying to make any type of feminist
statement. I don't concern myself with how my work is
perceived. I would rather not put a name to it and allow
the viewer to have a purely visceral experience.
The "male gaze" has been so prevalent and is
thus inescapable. The gaze of the "other" hasn't had
the opportunity to evolve independently-although,
with the increasing popularity of photo biogs I have
noticed a difference in the type of images of women
that cis-males post, as opposed to lesbians and genderdiverse individuals. •
A TROUPEOF ARTIST-ACTIVISTS
DEVELOPA NEW BRANDOF HERSTORY.
BY DAR DOWLING
T
Heels on Wheels Glitter Roadshow is a breathtaking
ormance-driven spectacle-femme power on steroids. I loved
minute of my inaugural experience, and not just for the reayou might naturally assume (although they definitely come
play, too). While the troupe is loaded with gorgeous, obscenely
ted, feminine women who kept me enthralled and entertained
at eir performance, they also made me think, and in the end I left
fee • g better about living in my own skin.
usic, performance art, comedy and dance are all part of the
wil ride I went on once the lights went down in Brooklyn on the
64
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
final night of the troupe's 2013 cross-country tour.
Early in the evening, Bevin Branlandingham, a local performer
with the blog A Queer Fat Femme Guide to Life, came out (with
mini cupcakes to give away to a lucky few) and shared intimate
personal truths about her body and her life, encouraging us to be
who we are.
Shomi Noise, who is fun and sassy, serious and intense, took us
on her journey from childhood, which she spent navigating the U.S.
and Bolivia, to adulthood, when she came out as queer-a process
that began when she saw strong women in the queer community
owning and loving their femme identity. For Noise, being a femme
goes beyond what she wears and how she looks."It's about embracing
femininity, and being subversive about it;' she says.
Damien Luxe's powerful and aerobically charged piece, aptly
titled Exorcise, uses an intricate mix of"satire and spandex" not just
to entertain the audience-spectacularly-but
to create a world
where being physically strong isn't butch or masculine, it just is.
"Muscles have no gender ... these are not butch muscles!" she tells
the audience, acknowledging her strength in a room full of appre~
ciative butches. In Exorcise, Luxe showcases her love of tight, bright
spandex while putting her own deft, feminist, satirical spin on exer~
cise and self help videos.
The Heels on Wheels troupe makes the political personal in
a way that extends the critique of old~school feminists-after
a
performance in Oakland, a member of the audience told Luxe:
"This show saved my life:' It touched on a topic she was struggling
with-how to live in her body. It's one of the things that make this
show, and the women in it, so special. While entertaining us, these
femmes talk about the issues that they, and many of us, struggle
with every day: poverty, racism, body image, misogyny, trauma and
more. "The show has given me a sense of belonging that I haven't
felt before in the queer community;' says Noise.
The DIY ethic of the collective-which extends to the tech and
sound crews, the roadies and drivers, and the stage manager-began
when Heels on Wheels founders Heather Acs and Luxe struck up
a friendship and became "partners in action:' In 2010, this dynamic
duo put out the word that they wanted to take a femme~powered
show on the road. Loading up the van with smart, talented, pas~
sionate women, they drove from N.Y.C. to Austin, discovering
along the way "that special kind of magic that happens during live
performances;' says Acs, of turning their dream into a reality. That
same magic happened again this year when they took the show up
the West Coast and into Canada, finally wrapping up with two sue~
cessful shows back in Brooklyn.
If you missed the tour or the summer performances in N.Y.C.
don't panic. Heels on Wheels will be heading out again next year,
with their rotating roster of fierce femme glitterati. We can't wait to
see what they'll do next. (heelsonwheelsroadshow.com) •
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
65
Before long, Carmouche was hooked. She knew that when
she got out of the military she wanted to pursue a career as a
professional MMA fighter. That day came in 2010, when she
was honorably discharged from the military and joined the
San Diego Combat Academy for MMA training.
There, she hooked up with Manolo Hernandez, her trainer
and sparring partner. "I met Liz at the tail end of her Marine
career;' says Hernandez."She came and told me she wanted to
fight, so that week I had her sparring. She was a natural. Five
months later, she turned pro:'
Carmouche's first experience of training in the ring with
male professional MMA fighters was unlike anything she'd
dealt with before. She admits that it was the first time she
"had my butt handed to me:'
"The first week as a professional, they bloodied my nose!"
says Carmouche. "I was bruised from head to toe. I looked
like a rotten banana. But I loved it. I was meant to do it:'
Carmouche has come a long way since that first week in
the ring. Today, she is one of the top women fighters in the
UFC. She gets up at 7 a.m. to train, six days a week, in a gru~
eling regimen that includes boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and
jujitsu classes. Along with morning roadwork, sprints, swim~
ming and whatever else Coach Hernandez has planned.
During sparring practice, Carmouche goes at it 100 per~
cent, fighting with the men. And these days, it's usually the
men who end up black and blue. "Nobody takes Liz lightly;'
said Hernandez. "She's sent plenty of guys to the hospital.
Including me. She's sent me to the chiropractor, she's moved
my ribs around, hurt my back. I've been injured by her a
lot, and I weigh 300 pounds. She's just 135 pounds! She's
a wolverine:'
A wolverine who spends a lot of time in the gym.
It was during her days at the Combat Academy that Carmouche
managed to catch the eye of Elisa Lopez, a young boxing student
who was also training there. "I saw her from a distance;' said
Lopez. "There weren't a lot of women taking MMA classes-it
was pretty much just her. So I would sit around wrapping my
hands, seeing what everyone was doing. Then I saw her. And I was
like, 'Who is this girl?'"
Contrary to her aggressive persona in the ring, Carmouche is
rather shy anywhere else. So is Lopez. Thus, it took a little
strategy to get the girls together."We were both really shy people.
So we were very passive with each other;' recalls Lopez. "One time,
I found out I was sitting next to her gym bag. So when I realized
it was hers, I made it a point to always sit next to it, in case I could
68
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
talk to her. I kind of got in her way!"
Eventually, Carmouche and Lopez became Facebook friends,
and the rest is history.
They have been together for three years now and are the proud
parents of Elvis and Yume, a bull terrier and a cat. On their
Sundays off, they go to the beach and soak up the sun.
Still, they spend most of their time together working out in
the gym. Occasionally, Carmouche and Lopez will hop in the ring
together to spar for a few rounds, making for some interesting
girlfriend moments.
At 6 feet tall, Lopez, who is 6 inches taller than Carmouche,
would normally have the advantage. Fortunately for Lopez,
Carmouche would rather make her laugh than put her in a sig~
nature Girl~Rilla chokehold. "For some reason, she loves to hear
me laugh. So she'll go out of her way to try and make me smile;'
said Lopez.
FEATURES/
COVERST
I WASBRUISED
Content in her personal life, Carmouche ramped up her training to compete full-time in MMA. She had a dream. She wanted
to compete in the first-ever UFC women's fight. But that seemed
a near impossibility.
In 2011, UFC president Dana White stated on the record that
there would never be a women's MMA fight in the UFC. "The
thought of it was just a dream, like going to the moon or the
deepest part of the ocean;' says Carmouche. "But I had to try:'
Soon she drew the attention of world-class managers who
sought to represent her, including MC Hammer. Yes, the MC
Hammer. His management company now represents several
UFC fighters, both male and female, including Carmouche.
"I have to give credit to my partner, Lex McMahon. He is the
one who first started talking about this young woman with a
ton of talent and personality, and this compelling story of being
a Marine;' says Hammer. "When I met with her, she was an
I LOOKED
LIKE
A
ROTTEN
BANANA.
BUTI LOVED
IT.
I WASMEANT
TODOIT.
-
-
'
~-
..
......
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
69
TUREStCOVER
STORY
t HE'SFOLLOWING
INTHE
FOOTSTEPS
OFBILLIE
JEANKING.
ASA HECK
OFA FIGHTER.
YESSHE'S
A LESBIAN
AND
extremely focused and impressive individual:'
He describes meeting her for the first time and within minutes
seeing "strength in her eyes:' He instantly knew she was a good
person, and someone they wanted to represent. "Believe me, living
your life in the public eye isn't always easy. But she handles every~
thing with such love and grace. We are thrilled to have her:'
As she was competing in professional bouts, Carmouche made
sure to have a rainbow somewhere near her at every event. Whether
it was with a rainbow bracelet or a rainbow mouth~guard, she
wanted to represent the LGBT community, making it a point to
be out and visible, a luxury she could never afford during all those
years she was closeted in the military.
Thanks to her positive message and her dominance in the ring,
Carmouche grew a fan base affectionately referred to by her man~
ager as her Lizbos. Those Lizbos soon began a Twitter campaign
aimed at UFC president Dana White, demanding that Carmouche
be given a shot at the UFC tide.
Then one day a call came in that would change the trajectory
of her career forever. Hernandez got a call from the Strikeforce
matchmaker saying, "Hey, is your girl ready for a big opportu~
nity? We want her to fight for the UFC World
Championship:'
It just so happened to be Valentine's Day,
and Carmouche and Lopez were indulging in
a very rare 'cheat meal" of steak and cake when
Hernandez rang her on her cell. When she heard
the news, Carmouche took a few last bites of cake
and went back into training that very night.
This past February, Carmouche made history.
Fighting hometown favorite Ronda "Rowdy"
Rousey, Liz Carmouche became the first openly
gay woman to battle for the UFC Championship
in the first~ever women's UFC title fight in
the Octagon.
Her dreams were coming true.
Carmouche didn't win that night. She was
defeated by Rousey's signature "armbar" move,
despite almost pulling off a major upset in the
SHE'S
ALREADY
GOING
DOWN
IN UFCHISTORY
ASA TRAILBLAZER,
A GREAT
ATHLETE
FIRS1.I
PROUD
OFIT BUTSHE'S
first round. After the fight, she received a standing ovation for her
incredible performance.
Hammer had this to say about that night: "She's following in the
footsteps of Billie Jean King. She's already going down in UFC
history as a trailblazer, as a heck of a fighter. Yes, she's a lesbian and
proud of it ... but she's a great athlete first. She almost beat Ronda.
We're going to help her get the right fights to ensure she's in a
position for a rematch soon:'
With the sting of her loss still fresh, Carmouche is training harder
than ever to get another shot at the title.
And what does the UFC's Dana White have to say about
Carmouche these days? "I hate using this word, because she's a
grown woman and I'm not her dad. But I am proud of her;' says
White. "I am proud we have her representing our company and our
sport. She is an amazing athlete and a fighter-she almost caught
Ronda in one of the best title fights of 2013. She's got this awesome
personality, too. I can't say enough good things about Liz:' He adds,
"We have over 240 athletes in the UFC. I bet we have more gay
fighters, and I hope they come out, too:'
As for Carmouche, she is only focused on the task at hand. "I
love fighting for the UFC, but for now I will focus on the next
woman in front of me-and I will finish the fight:'•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
71
TURES/
TRAVEL
It terrified me, which is exactly why I wanted to
go. When I was a kid I was scared of anything
that was fast or high or unpredictable, but as
an adult I got tired of being a benchwarmer.
Slowly but surely I began to take on all the
things I imagined I never could do.
One of those things was rock climbing.
I was at Miraval for my 40th birthday. It's a luxury resort and spa
in Tucson. But it's also home to an outdoor adventure course that
challenges people to get out of their heads and into their bodies. So,
I shimmied up the telephone pole and jumped off the platform,
traversed the log and made my way along the tightrope, as directed.
And you know what? I didn't die. Or even hurt mysel£ for that
matter. I was secure and safe, and once I convinced my mind of
that, my body followed suit, and I quickly developed agility and
balance. On the next to last day of my visit, I signed up for the
climbing wall.
Standing at the bottom, I wondered what I was thinking and
why I hadn't signed up for a spa treatment instead. But my instructor,
Matt Walker, the author of Adventure in Everythingand the founder
oflnner Passage (innerpassage.net), assured me that I could do it
and that he would be right there with me every step of the way. So
up I went.
When I got stuck, Matt talked me through it, telling me how to
look for hand- or footholds and how to trust mysel£ Before I knew
it, I'd made it to the top, and after I rappelled back down, Matt
suggested I come along on one of his climbing trips.
"Real rocks?" I said.
"Real rocks;' he said.
"You think I can do it?"
"I wouldn't have asked you ifl didn't:'
So I said yes and a few months later I geared up, packed my
backpack and flew to Palm Springs, where I spent one night at the
fancy Parker Palm Springs Hotel and giggled as the austere bellman
hoisted my pack over his shoulder.
The next morning, I met the woman who would be my climbing
partner and we drove out to the rocks in Joshua Tree National
Park. Every mile left me more and more anxious. I didn't even like
to hike. What was I thinking? What if I fell? Or got stuck on the
rocks? Or freaked out?
There was no backing out now, so I employed the one method I
knew how to use in these situations: Fake it until you make it.
As we prepped for our first short climb, Matt teased me about
his gear envy, and I felt great about coming so well prepared. Matt
taught us how to tie a figure eight knot and run a safety check. He
showed me how to wrap my hands with tape. That made me feel
totally hardcore, which, it turns out, was exactly what he'd had
in mind.
Then, suddenly, I was up on the rock and I was doing it. I was
really doing it. I was climbing. It was hard and scary, but I was
doing it!
When I got to the top, I cried. Years of the activities I'd missed
out on flashed through my mind, but I commanded them to stop.
They weren't going to do me any good up here, and there was a lot
more to conquer.
We set up camp and Matt cooked us dinner before we headed to
our tents for an early lights-out. Tomorrow was going to be a very
big day. I had trouble sleeping that night-partly because it was
cold, but mostly because I was nervous. I began to wonder once
again what on earth I was doing there.
But when the sun came up and the smell of bacon made its way
to my tent, I knew it was time to do what I had come there for. So I
packed up my daypack and went to join the gang. It was a nice hike
in to our climb, and when we got there I felt nervous and ready.
My partner and I took turns climbing and belaying. Each climb
was a challenge. Each climb had its tricky spots. Each climb left me
breathless and, yes, teary-eyed. But each time I got stuck-mentally
or physically, or both-my trainer was there to talk me through it.
And I did it. I got back to camp that night elated and exhausted.
We climbed again the next day. With each climb getting progressively harder, my body and my brain were growing weary. That
afternoon, I chose not to do the last climb. I had started to stumble
and trip just hiking through the rocks at the base. Something told
me another climb would be too much. Plus, I wanted to end on a
good note. I still wonder if that was a good idea.
All around me, the scenery was overwhelming, like something
out of a Dr. Seuss book. I felt humble and amazed at being able
to see those grand sights and climb those rocks. The dirty fingernails and bloody knuckles and knees that got me there seemed like
badges of honor.
I am so proud of myself for facing my fears on that trip. But I
think about that last climb sometimes, and I know I need to go
back again. That might not have been the right day. But I know that
another one will be. •
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
73
TURES/
TRAVEL
It might seem unlikely that an 1889
schoolhouse could make you feel like an
A--lister,but that's exactly what hap_pens
when you stay at the Washington School
House Hotel in Park City, Utah. This
immaculately restored slice of Americana,
perched just above Park City's picturesque
Main Street, keeps everything that is fine
about its former incarnation as a pillar of
frontier education-the steeply gabled roof
with bell tower, the luminous limestone
exterior, the soaring 16--foot ceilings, the
virginal white walls, polished timoer floors
and stairways, and the welcoming fireplace
all speak of America's solid, pioneering
past. Add to those classic elements modern
luxuries such as finely upholstered furniture,
well--padded beds, marble bathrooms,
contemporary artworks and an outdoor
pool with a brazier made from a torch from
the 2002 Winter Olym2ics (after all, these
accommodations stnve 1or the best), and
you have a luxury inn fit for a celebrity.
And they have stayed here, especially when the Sundance Film
Festival is in full swing. The 12~room boutique hotel and its staff
know how to make movie stars and ordinary folks feel right at
home- I was made to feel much more privileged than I ever have
anywhere else. The staff at the Washington School House are all
very attentive-not
to mention young, healthy and impossibly
good looking, which makes sense since they've been taking in the
pristine alpine air and eating the locally grown and mostly organic
food from the hotel's kitchen. Here's a tip: Always have the freshly
cooked breakfast-it's
simply delicious-and
never miss the
afternoon apres ski, served fireside, with gourmet morsels and
complementary cocktails.
I came to Park City in February to experience Elevation (utah~
gayski.com), the LGBT winter party, and to learn how to ski, which
is something I have been avoiding for most of my life. Both experi~
ences proved delightful. Get a group of girls together for next year's
Elevation, Feb. 20-23, 2014, because you will have a blast in a
charming city that boasts picture~postcard scenery as well as some
of the country's finest powder-to ski in.
Deer Valley (deervalley.com) is a great place to ski, no matter
what your skill level. The instructors are friendly and dedicated,
and in one brief session I went from being a complete novice to
74
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
someone who could stand, walk, turn and glide down a slope with~
out falling down-not bad for a girl from the Outback. And don't
worry about bringing your own bulky ski and snowboard equip~
ment. The knowledgeable, encouraging folks at Skis on the Run
(skisontherun.com) will come to your hotel and prepare you to hit
the slopes in perfect comfort, even down to your socks, Chapstick
and suntan lotion.
Park City has lots of good dining options, which is helpful if you
need to fuel up for, or reward yourself after, a day on the slopes. I
simply relished the contemporary flair of Silver at 508 Main Street
(silverrestaurant.com). The up~market atmosphere and menu
impressed me, and while the restaurant dishes up solid yet adven~
turous fare, the bar attracts quite a beautiful crowd, so be sure to
linger or drop by for a perfectly crafted cocktail.
For something more down~home, try the No Name Saloon
(nonamesaloon.net) with its Wild West atmosphere and outrageously
good buffalo burgers. There are many places to go in Park City for a
nightcap, but I often found myself drifting back to that welcoming
fireplace at the Washington School House. A winner of Travel +
Leisure's 2012 It List, the hotel is an inviting and luxurious place to
come home to-and an easy place to reach, just 45 minutes from
Salt Lake International Airport. (washingtonschoolhouse.com) •
T
DUATE
TURES/
TRAVEL
MIAMI
VICE
When you think of Miami, I'll bet you're
picturing the endless stretch of white sand
on the coast of South Florida where the rich
and beautiful sun themselves by day and party
into the night. Downtown Miami, however,
with its thriving business center, luxury
high--rises and glamorous port, is not to be
overlooked and has a vibe of its own.
The Viceroy Miami Hotel and Resort, situated on picturesque
Biscayne Bay, makes an opulent base camp for your celebrity~
inspired sojourn. The Viceroy's outrageous, outsize and yet tasteful
decor, masterminded by design guru Kelly Wearstler, sets the tone.
And while your intention may be to set right out exploring your
vibey neighborhood-it
is sometimes referred to as the Capital of
Latin America-you may find yourself a little bit reluctant to leave
the resort, such is the appeal of its attractions.
The guestrooms, with their contemporary Asian~inspired furni~
ture and fixtures, make guests feel exotic and elite, but don't tarry
too long-all the Viceroy's spa and recreational amenities await.
Knock back a pick~me~up espresso in the elegantly white Cafe Icon
before heading out to laze by the epic three~section pool. In the
pool area, Wearstler has played with scale, and, inspired by Alice in
Wonderland,she's made sure that not even the monumental Miami
skyline could outshine her design project.
Dinner at Eos Restaurant is a must, although it's difficult to
know where to look: at the view from the 15th floor; the dramatic
and sexy interior, also designed by Wearstler; or the artful plating of
the Mediterranean~inspired food. Whichever it is, unless your date
gets her glamour on, she might be overlooked.
After dinner, head upstairs to FIFTY Ultra Lounge, which is,
of course, 50 stories up. Open Thursday through Saturday nights,
this stunning nightclub with its VIP vibe, outdoor pool, expansive
terrace and 360~degree view is the best of Miami. If you're lucky,
you might even rub elbows with some celebrities. When I visited in
March for the Winter Party Festival (which benefits the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force and several Miami LGBT nonprofits),
the stunningly beautiful Jessica Clark, star of True Blood and for~
mer Curve cover girl, was hosting Her Winter Party there.
To extend your visual pleasure beyond the Viceroy, take a stroll
through Miami's nearby Design District (miamidesigndistrict.net),
an inspiring playground for aesthetes and acquirers of fine
things. Once a derelict and dangerous industrial area, it is now a
wonderland of modern art and innovative design.
There are too many fine art galleries, gift stores and restaurants
to list here, so just take your time and explore. I can recommend
the Wynwood Art Walk, where you can feast your eyes on vibrant
graffiti~inspired murals in this emerging arts community, and
then tuck into some equally artistic nosh at Wynwood Kitchen
& Bar, where the Latin~inspired small plates-and
the restau~
rant's hip decor-are
marvelous creations in and of themselves.
(viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/Miami)
•
76
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
V •ISi·t. -• Sweden
www.visitsweden.com
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Stockholm
The Capitalof Scandinavia
Im
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STAR
CROSSED
You've seen every
episode of The L Word,
your iPod is packed with
songs by everyone from
Melissa Etheridge to
Tegan and Sara, you have
a lifetime subscription to
Curve and you regularly
clean up at your local
lezzie pub trivia night.
Now it's time to put your
pop culture knowledge
to the test with our
celesbian crossword.
ACROSS
38. Samantha was Lindsay's _
1. Actor who is the voice
of Dory in Finding Nemo
7. "Ima Be Me" comic, Wanda
39. Lesbos is one
40. Suzanne Westenhoefer
description
10. Like a
to a flame
11 After The Fire writer, Jane
12 Event announcer
13. 4 Non Blondes singer, Perry
43. Political humorist, Kate
46. White House wife
15. Comics cry
16. Travel
17.Writer of one of the earlier
coming out stories, Q.E.D.
18. America's Queen of Comedy
on Time's 1977 cover (first name)
19. Rejection word
20. Lesbian rights activist,
when repeated
21. Breaking Silence album singer,
Janis
22. Eventually (2 words)
25. Not Tegan or Sara, but
possible future mayor of NYC.
27. Indigo Girls singer,_
Ray
31. Champion of lesbian literature,
Barbara
33. Writer of Fried Green
Tomatoes at the Whistle
Stop Cafe
34. Tastes good I
35. Much-decorated lobe
37. Virtual opinion
15. Means inside at the beginning
of a word
20. Diamond, for example
21. Fashionable
23. Not that either
24. Dick Cheney's daughter
48. The Beebo Brinko Chronicles
first name
49. Wire service
50. She'll help you with your
finances, Suze
26. Living legend in the swim
world, Diana
51. Cherry Jones won one for her
role in 24
52. Australian model and MTV VJ
Ruby_
31. Chitchat
32. Wedding words
33. "Touch Me (I Want Your
Body)" singer, Samantha_
DOWN
1.Ally McBeal star, Portia _
2. Cohost and executive
producer of The Talk, Sara _
3. Room writer, first name
4. "30
"show
5. Lovable alien
6. Foxfire star, Jenny_
7. First female astronaut, first
name
8. All-time tennis great
9. The L Word actor, Daniela _
14.
Mccaul, actor who starred
in thelrish version of Fawlty
Towers
28. Thanksgiving veggie
29. Long time periods
30. "It'sMy Party"singer,Lesley _
36. Lets
38. For example, abbr.
40.Succeeded
41. Chef and TV personality,_
Burrell
42. First gay comic to appear
on The Arsenio Hall Show,
DeLaria
43. "I'm the One that I Want"
comic, Margaret_
44Schoolofthought
45. Beachgoer's goal
46. Tree
47. Spring month
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SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
79
TLOOKtSTARS
Fallingfor Autumn
With Mars in generous Leo and Venus in passionate Scorpio, things
aren't cooling down any time soon. evCHARLENE
ucHTENSTEIN
VIRGO %
%
%
Because Virgo rules %
%
the sixth house of the %
day-to-day Job, health %
issues and pets, %
%
Sapphic Virgins are %
happiest in careers %
%
that enable them to %
deal with the nitty %
gritty details whether %
%
it's in accounting %
or nursing They %
%
are meticulous, %
independent workers %
who are detail- %
%
oriented and very %
neat and clean. These %
%
gals can handle the %
repetitive tasks better %
%
than most women. In %
a very strange way, it %
gives her a sense of %
%
accomplishment%
it's measurable and %
%
quantifiable, after all %
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Charlene
Lichtenstein
istheauthor%
of HerScopes:
A Guide
to Astrology%
forLesbians
(Simon
& Schuster)-%
%
tinyur/.
com/HerScopes.
%
(Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Nowavailable
asanebook.~
80
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Clean out your closet, Virgo. It
is time to sweep out your old
moldy baggage and anything
else that has been holding you
back from success. Not only
do you feel liberated, you will
also be able to focus on future
plans and aspirations. What is it
that you have always wanted to
accomplish? The sky is the limit
but time is a-wasting!
Feisty Capricorns are on fire!
Use September to expand
your circle of girlfriends. You
will be given the opportunity
to join some exclusive groups
or clubs. But even as you enter
a new rarefied level of connections, don't forget your
longtime bosom buddies who
will love you no matter what.
Those Sapphic Bulls who are
in a relationship can enjoy it
to the utmost. And you can
feather your love nest with
great home decorating ideas
to make a comfortable home
even better. For those who are
seeking the perfect woman, it
is an excellent time to expand
your field of vision.
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
You dress to impress this
September and it pays off,
especially on the job. Instead
of wearing jeans to work, try
something a little more corporate. It may open a door to
advancement. Nurture oneon-one relationships and see
if you can add a little extra
oomph where and when it
is needed.
Turn up the heat at work with
a few well-chosen diplomatic
words. Colleagues will sit up
and take notice and give you
support. Lucky Geminis get
anything they want by just
asking. So will it be for a raise?
More vacation? A larger office?
There may even be a little
spark of flirtation in the air
around the water cooler.
Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20)
Your energy level hits a high
and you feel like you could
take on the world. So do
so. Channel some of that
amazing power into a global
enterprise or some incredibly
interesting foreign lady who
leads you to new experiences.
There will be something (or
someone) powerful and
compelling who piques
your interest.
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
Your social calendar fills to
overflowing this September
as gal pals want to get into
your act. They have some very
creative fun ideas to share.
Let them take charge and see
where all their plans lead you.
Chances are, though, that the
cost of your fun times will
exceed your budget. Don't save
all your pennies for a rainy day.
Sometime you have to make a
big splash.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Ambitious Scorpios make
great inroads into their careers
this September. Maybe that
is because you have found an
ingenious way to harness your
considerable charm and direct
it into the most opportune projects at work. Pour your personal
oil on a few corporate cogs and
see if you can accelerate your
professional machine.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
You are an adventurer at heart
with an almost insatiable
appetite for travel and exotic
experiences. So why are you
still hanging around the neighborhood? September is a time
for expansion, a lust for life and
spicy antics from around the
world. Mystery, love, enlightenment awaits you.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Good times become great
times for lambda Rams
searching for a lusty lady.
You have your choice of lovergrrls all through September
but be careful to balance all
your many conquests. There
may be too many hotties to
handle at one time. You don't
want to get your hand caught
in the nookie jar by some
jealous cupcake.
A fool and her money are soon
parted. But it will certainly
be fun! So why not be a little
foolish this September and
enjoy your gotten gains with
a certain you-know-who or
someone-to-be-named-later?
Money will make any fun event
an unforgettable bash. And it
will also stir up your imagination for any creative enterprise
or work of art.
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
Your charisma hits a high this
September and the fates conspire to push you out into the
epicenter of the social scene.
And yet, there is something
nice about staying close to
home and spending your time
cuddling and cocooning. Can
you hit the party scene and
still be home for dinner,
Lioness? I guess it depends
on what's cooking. •
mc.c.-I- Iis-l-c.t""".
get you rs today.
curvemag.com
Want to see your pet here? We'd love to meet them, too.
Visit curvemag.com/satisfied for details.
~BEST
"' "'
PLACES TO WORK
2013 for LGBT Equality
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SEPTEMBER
2013
FEATURES
~JO
A RAINBOW WEDDING
Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele's
colorful union. By Merryn Johns
~,s
SILVER LININGS
Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis
is back with the lesbian
performance of a lifetime.
By Laurie K. Schenden
50
LADY SINGS THE TRUTH
Singer Monifah Carter on
being out, coming back
and doing it all on TV.
By Elizabeth Estochen
53
ALIEN ENCOUNTER
Syfy star Jaime Murray
has made a career
bringing our fantasies
to life, and she likes it
that way. By Dar Dowling
60
ROCK AND RUIN
Riot Grrrl princess
Kathleen Hanna returns
with her new band,
The Julie Ruin.
By Elizabeth Estochen
62
A LESBIAN LENS
The politics of
representation
through the eyes
of a lesbian photographer and woman
of color. By Ivana Ford
72
ROCK STEADY
How one writer took the
challenge to overcome her
fears. By Jenny Block
COVER PHOTO BY JIM KEMPER/ZUFFA
LLC/UFC
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
1
SEPTEMBER
2013
12
IN EVERYISSUE
6
EDITOR'S NOTE
8
FEEDBACK
10
CURVETTES
12
THE GAYDAR
24
SCENE
80
STARS
14
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////A
TRENDS
REVIEWS
13 THIS IS WHAT A
LESBIAN LOOKS LIKE
27
14
HOT TEE
16
LESBOFILE
17
SHE SAID
29
Meet this month's It girl.
VIEWS
18
OUT IN FRONT
18 IN CASE YOU MISSED
IT ... Monthly news from
across the country.
19
POLITICS
Why are celebrities so
important to us? A personal
and political look at high
profile lezzies and their
connection to our lives.
By Victoria A. Brownworth
21
ADVICE
Both DOMA and Prop. 8 have
been defeated. But where
does our latest marriage
equality victory really leave
us? By Temma Ehrenfeld
23
LIPSTICK & DIPSTICK
26
THE TWO OF US
Our monthly profile of lesbian
couples who live, love and
work together.
2
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
MUSIC
Antigone Rising are rockin'
and rising, raising families
and setting the live
music circuit on fire.
By Stephanie Schroeder
BOOKS
Sassy sex author and educator
Tristan Taormina is back with
her political take on pleasure
and porn. By Dar Dowling
31
FILM
Jamie Babbit is crashing the
Hollywood boys club with
her Sapphic savvy and
cleverly directed projects.
By Kathleen Wilkinson
STYLE
34
STAR POWER
The soon-to-be-wed British
fashionistas are back with
looks inspired by two of
their favorite female icons,
Pink and Debbie Harry.
By Stella and Lucy
38
STYLE DYKONS
We're still wild about
tomboy couturiers Wildfang
and their celebrity-inspired
line, Icons. By Rachel Shatto
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PRIDEIN BEANTOWN
No other city does Pride quite like Boston. With colorful
floats, a touch of glitter on the streets, and queers
adorned in sequins and rainbow-hued costumes, the
people of Boston came together to celebrate with
their fellow queers in an unforgettable way. View our
slideshow of the parade festivities at curvemag.com
TAKE IT EASY
Wendy Jo Carlton (director of Hannah Free) and
Lisa Cordileone are putting lesbian characters
at the forefront with their hit web series Easy
Abby, a romantic comedy about a lesbian whose
anxiety disorder is only soothed by bedding the
ladies. The creative duo dishes on inspirations,
women in film, and getting lesbians out of the
closet and into the media limelight.
WHET YOUR APPETITE
20TH AND VALENCIA
Can't get enough Michelle Tea? Start
with our interview with the infamous
author turned filmmaker on page 58
then head to Curvemag.com to read
our interviews with the 20 directors
who made Valencia a movie reality.
This year marked the 14th
year that Aqua Girl celebrated
in South Beach, Fla. As anticipated, it was a huge success
because Aqua Girl knows
what women want: celesbians,
hot girls and even hotter
parties. In attendance were
Lauren Russell, Hell's Kitchen
chef Robyn Almodovar, Dani
Campbell and Frenchie Davis.
Plus, the notorious pool parties
didn't disappoint with the
hottest DJs mixing the best
beats as well as the hottest
club scenes around! Check
out our slide show at
curvemag.com
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curve
THE BEST-SELLING
Cause CCICbre
SEPTEMBER
2013
»
LESBIAN
VOLUME
MAGAZINE
23 NUMBER
7
PUBLISHERSilke Bader
FOUNDINGPUBLISHER Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
EDITORIN CHIEF Merryn Johns
MANAGINGEDITOR Rachel Shatto
ogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour will go down in publishing
history as the person who predicted that we would prefer movie
stars on the covers of fashion magazines rather than actual
fashion models. As clever as she was to notice this shift, why
was she right?
It seems to me that celebrity culture has become synonymous with culture
itself. If history doesn't have some charisma attached to it, we don't much care
if any of those bygone events actually happened, do we? We need larger-thanlife personalities to give the passage of time meaning. And when it comes to
our daily news, celebrity gossip provides
headlines. Front pages, covers and websites are populated with high profile and
colorful characters we love to hate, and
sometimes love to love.
But why are we so invested in celebrities? For me, lesbian celebrities were
important forerunners. When Ellen
came out, in 1997, we ordinary lesbians
watched with bated breath to see how it
would go for her. She was our proxy.
As an editor, however, I have noticed
a shift. In an interesting turn of events,
Curve readers are now just as likely to
be interested in what "real" womenwomen they might know or meet-are
doing, how they're overcoming problems
and changing the world.
This is our Celebrity issue and in it
we meet some high-profile lesbians who
are on their way to fame. We also meet
talented women who may never see their
name in lights or walk the red carpet, but
whose work we can love nevertheless.
On June 26, after the Supreme Court
struck down DOMA, I went to the
Stonewall Inn to celebrate with my community. There, in the crowd, surrounded
by strangers and friends, it became clear to me how every single one of us
counts; how together we can change the course of this country. After all, by
definition a "celebrity" is simply a celebrated person, and I think that at this
moment in LGBT history, that applies to all of us.
V
Why are
'\Ve so
invested in
celebrities?
''
~·
MER~
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
EDITORIAL
ASSISTANTSElizabeth Nguyen, Hassina Obaidy
PROOFREADERElizabeth Harper
OPERATIONS
DIRECTOROF OPERATIONS Jeannie Sotheran
EVENTS& MEDIA RELATIONSCOORDINATORRobin Perron
ADVERTISING
CURVE'SMEDIA KIT ourmediakit.com
NATIONALSALES
Rivendell Media (908) 232-2021, todd@curvemagazine,com
BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT
Sallyanne Monti (510) 545-4986, sallyanne@curvemag,com
ART/PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR Stefanie
Liang
PRODUCTIONARTIST Kelly Nuti
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melany Joy Beck, Kathy Beige, Jenny Block, Adam L.
Brinklow, Kelsy Chauvin, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, Traci
Dinwiddie, Maria De La 0, Jill Goldstein, Lisa Gunther,
Kristin Flickinger, Gillian Kendall, Kim Hoffman, Charlene
Lichtenstein, Karen Loftus, Sassafras Lowrey, Jess
McAvoy, Ariel Messman-Rucker, Emelina Minero, Laurie
K. Schenden, Stephanie Schroeder, Janelle Sorenson,
Allison Steinberg, Stella & Lucy, Dave Steinfeld, Edie Stull,
Yana Tallon-Hicks, Sarah Toce, Tina Vasquez, Jocelyn Voo
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Lauren Barkume, Alex Styles, Meagan Cignoli,
JD Disalvatore, Sophia Hantzes, Janet Mayer, Syd London,
Cheryl Mazak, Maggie Parker, Leslie Van Stelten
CONTACT INFO
Curve Magazine
PO Box 467
New York, NY 10034
PHONE(415) 871-0569
FAX (510) 380-7487
ADVERTISINGSALES(415) 692-5420
SUBSCRIPTIONINQUIRIES(800) 705-0070
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LETTERSTO THE EDITOREMAIL letters@curvemagazine.com
Volume 23 Issue 7 Curve (ISSN 1087-867X) is published monthly
(except for bimonthly January/February and July/August) by
Avalon Media, LLC, PO Box 467, New York NY 10034, Subscription
price: $59,90/year, $59,90 Canadian (U,S. funds only) and $89.95
international (U.S. funds only). Returned checks will be assessed
a $25 surcharge, Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco,
CA 94114 and at additional mailing offices (USPS 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
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6
BOOK REVIEWEDITOR Rachel Pepper
COPY EDITOR Katherine Wright
CONTRIBUTINGEDITORS Victoria A. Brownworth,
Gina Daggett, Jillian Eugenios, Sheryl Kay, Jess McAvoy,
Stephanie Schroeder
$100
PP OFF
when you mention
"CURVE"
POST
ON
FACEBOOK!
Thebestcomment
posted
each
month
could
winyouafree
digital
subscription!
I was very encouraged by
your article on lesbian selfpublished authors ["Dain' It
for Themselves;' Vol. 23#6].
I have written three unpublished novels and all my
friends love my work but I
can't seem to land a publishing contract. I refused to
consider self-publishing but
your article made me rethink
that. Thanks again.
-Carren Wing, Brisbane,
Australia
Music to My Ears
Portland Pride
Loved your Music issue
[Vol. 23#6], it was such a
feast for the eyes and for the
ears. It was great to see some
of my favorites in your selection like Amanda Palmer and
also to discover new talent.
Julia Weldon is super-cute!
-Diane Bass, Oakland Ca.
I liked the article on
Portland's QDoc ["Keep
Portland Queer;' Vol. 23#6],
so thanks for that. Might
I recommend some more
content on Portland? I am
not kidding you; it is all
happening here, especially
for lesbians.
- Portland Proud, via email.
Gender Bent
I just wanted to let you know
that I am disappointed in the
advice column Lipstick and
Dipstick. Although I
appreciated their response to
my question, and I understand they had the right to
change my story, I do not
appreciate that they changed
my girlfriend to a man! First
of all, yuck! Second, do you
really think lesbians want to
read about women who are
with menr No! I know when
I see a question like that, I roll
my eyes and skip to the next
one! -Elizabeth, Billings,Mont.
''
ED'S NOTE: Stay tuned for
more from the City of Roses!
''
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Thanks for
writing in and sorry that we
misread your question. When
you said "she's the only woman
I've ever fantasized about" we
took that to mean you've only
been with one woman. Truth
is, we often get questions like
this from women who had
one experience with a woman
many years ago and then go
on and have relationships with
men, but always question their
sexuality. Anyway, we didn't
mean to misrepresent you, and
we're sorry if you feel duped.
LIP & DIP NOTE:
WHICH
OUT
A-LISTER
REPRESENTS
US
BEST?
7%
Jodie Foster
2°0 Lily Tomlin
f 0o Cynthia Nixon
1°0 Evan Rachel
Wood
7%
Wanda Sykes
7%
8%
Jane Lynch
facebook.com/curvemag
OURFACEBOOK
FRIENDS
LAPUPTHE"VENICE"
COVERSTORY
Best Cover ever! Nadia
Bjorlin, Crystal Chappell&
Jessica Leccia absolutely
beautiful souls!!
-Tameria Stanart
Makesme miss dark hair.
-Brittany Glidden
It's a beauty,lovedthe
article on Jen Foster.
-Lucy Nico
See you in Venice.
-Kelly Hicks
Yum!!
IDO
NOT
-Mary-Pat Nealon
APPRECIATEFantastic.Three lovely
ladies and best web series
THAT
THEY
ever. -Sophia Ullah
CHANGED
MY
Can't wait to pick this one
GIRLFRIEND up! -Alie Butler
Love it, as per usual.
TOA
MANI
-Martee Larocque
Literary Sisters
As an aspiring novelist who
writes about lesbian themes
Posts from our
Facebookfans
Love it!! Can't wait to get my
copy!!!
-AngelicaJae
Lovethis show... It reflects
lots of females' lives... Very
true & real... & the cast is
simply gorg!!!
-Evy Maarawi
Classyandjust makingme
want to read.
-Kat VonShaggy
Veniceis a good hot show.
-Noodle Bootie
CORRECTION:
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SEPTEMBER
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of Curve [Vol. 23#6]
featured photos by
Connie Kurtew.
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SAMANTHA L. STEWART
KEPHSENETT
Hailing from Brooklyn, N.Y.,Samantha L.
Stewart is an investigative journalist with
a background in international reporting
and a near-fanatic passion for sports.
This University of Georgia alumni's
first-love has always been South Eastern
Conference football and her beloved
Georgia BullDawgs. Her passion led to NBC
Sports as a web producer for the London
Olympics. Her stories have been featured
in Newsweek International magazine
and the New York Press. In addition to
journalism, Samantha has been a litigation
attorney in New York City for over a
decade. She is currently working on her
memoir chronicling her time as a lawyer for
the United Nations in Liberia, West Africa,
whilst counting down the days until NFL
and College Football season kick-off.
Keph Senett is a Canadian writer whose
passions for travel and soccer have led
her to play the beautiful game on four
continents. When not writing about human
rights, LGBT and gender issues, travel or
the beautiful game, Keph spends her free
time trying to figure out how to qualify
for a soccer squad in Asia, Australia or
Antarctica. This month she writes about
South Africa's culture of rape and how
international lesbian soccer fans are
fighting to help end deadly homophobia
in sports.
ADAM L. BRINKLOW
Adam L. Brinklow is a writer and critic who
lives and works in San Francisco. In that
order. He's been featured in San Francisco
Magazine, SOMA, Huffington Post SF
and is a regular contributor to EDGE San
Francisco. In this issue Adam interviews
author turned filmmaker Michelle Tea
about the film Valencia, which is based on
her novel by the same name. Adam first
met Tea via an awkward fact-checking
phone call that was almost as interesting at
this month's story, all on its own.
CLARA BEARD
"The first time I watched Mac Harde
online, I was immediately captivated,"
says Clara Beard, writer by day and derby
girl by night. "She is so convincing,
half the time I can't figure out if she's
in character or what I'm seeing is really
her." From politicians to musicians to
Teddy Roosevelt impersonators, Clara
has interviewed almost every type and
personality imaginable. But talking to
Harde was a one-of-a-kind, hilarious
adventure. "She's definitely an electric
woman and a magnetic performer,"
she says. Beard also occupies her time
as a cycling journalist and hot sauce
connoisseur in Flagstaff, Ariz. Read her
interview with Harde on page 33.
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THE GAYDAR
p
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I
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I~e~ o~~Ye~!one?
Let our gaydar help
you decide who's hot, who's not, who's
~ shaking it and who's faking 1tin lesboland.
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0
BY RACHEL SHATTO
_J
~
Robbed! We had our
hearts and speeddialing fingers
set on The Voice's
lesbian contestant
Michelle Chamuel,
who took
second place.
Encore, encore!
In not so gleeful
news, Jane Lynch
and Lara Embry
announce they are
filing for divorce
Nike takes a step in the right
direction with their rainbow colored
#BeTrue Free Run 5.0 shoes, benefits
of which go to fighting anti-LGBT
bias in sports. Thinking about
getting a pair? Just Do It.
Tegan and Sara have
a new blogger, their
mother, whose sweet,
behind the scenes
look at the lezzie
musical duo on tour in
Europe has us missing
our own moms
<I:
~
Kate Moennig is back on
our TVs in Showtime's Ray
Donovan. And may we say
Kate, you're looking very
Shane today
We never get
tired of Jaime
cast mates
and her latest
conquest is
Mia Kirshner in
Defiance-swoon
Charice
Pempengco, a
Filipino singer
who played
an exchange
student in the
second season
of Glee, comes
out! Now that's
something
worth singing
about
Push Girls
is back and
with it, the
queer-identified
Tiphany. As
soon as we saw
her making
out with a new,
tattooed butch
we knew we
were in for
another stellar
season
0
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z
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0
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~
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It's the year of Brittney Griner.
The 6-foot-8 pro basketball
player is the WNBA's 2013 top
draft pick, comes out and gets
nominated for a BETaward. We
can't wait for what's next.
Shiver me timbers!
There be female pirates
ahoy in STARZ'snew
series Black Sails. Now
that's what we mean by
pirate's booty
Get ready for a
shocker-turns out love
is love. VH1's I'm Married
to A ... series focuses
on unique couples and
follows loving couple
Jessica and her transman
partner Scott
What better way to shake off the postArrested Development blues than
with Netflix's latest original series, the
oh-so-binge-worthy and lesbian
inclusive Orange Is the New Black
2
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12
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Heidi Germaine
Schnappauf
The New York stuntwoman on
coming out and staying fit.
ON BECOMINGA STUNTWOMAN:I was
a typical tomboy, climbing trees, doing
martial arts. It wasn't until I was a graduate
of NYU'sTisch School of the Arts that I
realized my background could lead to this
career. I helped friends with student films
doing fight scenes, getting beat up and
falling down and got a rush out of it. I found
a place to train near Orlando, Fla.,went to
L.A., came back to New York, and continued
networking and learning.
ON KEEPINGIN CONDITION:In addition
to practicing falls, rolls, trampoline and
gymnastics, my weekly workouts include
CrossFit, cycling and yoga. Climbing things,
skateboarding or finding a four-wheel dolly
near a loading dock and jumping on it is
important training too.
ON HERHIGH PROFILEJOBS:My first big
job was working on Paranormal Activity 2,
doubling the amazing Katie Featherston.
I was lucky enough to work on the films
John Carter and Birdman. TV includes
Castle, Revenge, CS/:NY and The Following.
I am currently working on [The Amazing
Spiderman 2].
ON COMINGOUT: I dig chicks. I can't think
of one reason why that would make me a
better or worse stuntwoman, so I sure hope
it doesn't affect my professional standing.
I decided to come out because I remember
being that 15 or 16-year-old reading Curve
and realizing I wasn't alone.
ON WHATSHESEEKSIN A ROMANTIC
PARTNER:
Chemistry, independence and
zest for life. I tend to work hard and sleep
hard, so that I can work hard the next day.
I love music, so I'll add that to my list of
qualities I would seek in a romantic partner.
ON HERULTIMATEGOAL:My biggest bucket
list stunt would be crashing through a
ceiling, through a chandelier, through a
glass table to the ground-in an evening
gown. I would choose successful over
famous any day, but would like to be known
for being a hard worker who never gives up
and always delivers. -Merryn Johns
NDS!HOT
TEES
WAL< OF FAME
Some of our favoritecelesbiansplayfashionmuse this month.
BY HASSINA
0BAIDY
GET YOUR GEEK ON
GARBOGLAM
JOIN THE REVOLUTION
BOLD AND BRIGHT
THE A(LMOST) LIST
Show the world you're
mad about the queen
of liberal media, Rachel
Maddow, in this geekchic, lightweight cotton
tank. ($4, kissasstees.
etsy.com)
If there's one thing
classic Hollywood
goddess Greta Garbo
never was, it was
common. Celebrate
the Sapphic star with
this sexy tank from
Modernnaked. ($8,
modernaked.etsy.com)
The feminist punk
rock band Pussy Riot
sacrificed their freedom
to defy the power of
Moscow. Show your
support by wearing
this polychromatic
proclamation designed
by Karmadesigner.
($24, redbubble.com)
Frida Kahlo made a
career of creating
artwork featuring her
unforgettable face. So
it's no surprise we're
in love with this handsilkscreened tee that
features a stylish silhouette
of the bisexual painter.
($6, minimalista.etsy.com)
Your name may not be in
lights-yet-but
let your
star shine anyway. This
foxy Almost Famous tee
is also available in plus
sizes from ASOS Curve.
($37, asos.com)
14
2013
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
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NDS/
Charice
Pempengco
p
~ LESBOFILE
~
~
Charice comes out, Beth gets hitched and Frenchie
gives us the finger for a good cause.
~
BY JOCELYN VOO
A Reason to be Gleeful
What's better than the Brittany-Santana
romance on Glee?Try a real-life lesbian
relationship. Charice Pempengco, who
played foe-turned-friend Sunshine Corazon on the show, recently announced that
in real life, she's one of us.
Like many stars before her, 21-year-old
Pempengco decided to come out publicly
after rumors about her sexuality surfaced;
apparently, cutting your hair short and
wearing pants is unheard of in Hollywood
if you're straight. However, the Filipino
singer decided against the mass media
route (she reportedly was to make the big
reveal on Ellen) and chose instead to grant
the scoop to Filipino showbiz roundup
The Buzz to make a greater impact on her
home community.
In the TV interview she apologized
to her family and fans who might be
"disappointed" -and indeed, it looks like
Pempengco has been estranged from her
family and is no longer living in their
home, but rather with a foster family. To
add to the real life soap opera, Pempengco's
birth mother, Raquel, announced in a
press conference that she "understands" her
daughter because-get
this-she
herself
was a lesbian, but "chose her family over
her sexual preference:'
Support for Pempengco has been strong,
16
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
and the singer filmed a follow-up YouTube
video after an outpouring of positive support: "Honestly, I'm very, very happy;' she
says. "I can't explain how happy I am right
now hearing all [these] positive things:•
So who's the lucky lady who won the
singer's heart? Fellow singer Alyssa Quijano, 19, a member of the band AKA Jam,
whom Pempengco met during a singing
competition years ago and describes as "my
everything:'
If this is the debut, we can't wait for the
sophomore album.
Hawaiian Honeymoon
Speaking of finding true love, another of
our favorite spitfires, Gossip frontwoman
and former Curve cover girl Beth Ditto,
kicked off the summer season by tying the knot with her girlfriend of three
years, Kristin Ogata.
Ditto and Ogata wed in a setting as
distinct as one of Ditto's songs: at the
Maui Sunseeker Gay & Lesbian resort
with a Hawaiian priestess as officiant.
"It's going to be really spiritual and
cool, and like, lesbian and really femalecentric. And awesome;' the singer revealed
to Yahoo! Music before the pair tied the
knot. Knowing Ditto, it was exactly as
awesome as she envisioned it.
Talk about moving in the right direction.
Eff It
Raise your middle fingers for the new
F Word Campaign-also
known as the
Friend Movement, a photographic antibullying campaign. Already with a cast of
Tim Gunn,
star power behind it-think
Adam Lambert and Aubrey O'Day-the
movement is gaining two more ladies with
big voices: Beth Ditto and Frenchie Davis.
The campaign is all about telling bullies to step down: In the mild-mannered
Gunn's words:"F you, frankly. I'm amazing
the way I am, and accept that:'
So when you see these shots surfacing-ladies, join in and feel free to raise
your finger in solidarity. •
TRENDS/
"I wouldn't cope very well.
I'm a very independent
person, and I would have
to work ...l wouldn't be
satisfied with being bossed
around by a bunch of men.
I'd probably have to
be a lesbian."
-January Jones on how she'd
live in the Mad Men era to
The Evening Standard
SHEs
st PROFILE
Susan Haugh
Pittsburg
» LGBTPerforming
Arts
Most kids first stand up and then start walking.
Susan Haugh stood up and then started conducting music.
Where did she get her orchestras? "The TV,"
she says. "PBS's Live From Lincoln Center, the
New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops. Music
is all-enveloping. It's movement, energy, vibration, time and space. It is everything together."
Haugh began performing and writing her own
instrumental and choral works in 1987. Several
years later, she helped found the Renaissance
City Women's Choir, a Pittsburgh-based group
that offers gay-positive music and openly supports equality and social justice issues.
"I have a personal drive to work to effect
change where I can," says Haugh. "I am a composer and director, so I am using the tools and
talents I have to create a world that understands
and accepts all people for who they are."
Ten years ago, following a successful
stint with the choir, Haugh founded Dreams
of Hope, an LGBT youth performing arts
ensemble in Pittsburgh. She's worn many hats
there, including artistic director, grant writer,
fundraiser, performance creator, and mentor.
"[Many] queer youths cannot be open with their
boyfriend or girlfriend at school, or at parties,
or at their places of worship, or at home," says
Haugh. "They need safe places where they can
express themselves and deal with the myriad of
issues they are dealing with on a daily basis."
In one of her most recent community
projects, Haugh is working with the Pride Youth
Theater Alliance (PYTA),a network of arts,
educational, and service organizations in the
U.S. and Canada. As chair of the Mentoring
Committee, she is helping PYTAto start new
queer youth theaters. "The emergence of new
youth groups is very exciting and important,
if we are going to really change the minds
of people throughout the country," she says.
-Sheryl Kay
18
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Melissa Etheridge has criticized Angelina Jolie for
her double mastectomy. While many hailed Jolie as
brave for the preventive surgery against the BRCA
gene, which she carries, Etheridge called Jolie's
decision a "fearful choice," saying that she believes
cancer is a result of stress, nutrition and environment.
DANIELLE
POWELL
WAS
expelled from Grace Un1vers1ty,
a conservative Christian college,
one semester before graduation
In 2012 after she began dating
another woman The school
demands that students sign and
abide by a code of conduct that
forbids k1ss1ng,prolonged hugs
and watching MTV The school is
now demanding Powell pay back
$6,000 In loans connected to the
final semester they didn't permit
her to f1n1sh
KAITLYN
HUNT,
ASENIOR
AT
Florida's Sebastian River High
School, Is facing two counts of
felony and lewd and lasc1v1ous
conduct because she was
sexually active with her girlfriend,
another high school student who
Is three years younger Hunt was
a cheerleader and member of
the basketball team, where she
met her 14-year-old g1rlfr1end In
Florida It Is illegal for someone
who Is 18 to have sex with a
teen under the age of 16 The
birthday If convicted, Hunt faces
15 years In prison, and has turned
down a plea bargain that would
have forced her to register as
a sex offender for life Hunt's
parents are standing behind their
daughter and f1ght1ngfor the
state laws to be changed
PROSECUTORS
INKENTUCKY
are attempting to make Geneva
Case testify against her wife
Bobbie Joe Clary In a murder and
robbery charge Case has refused
to testify against her wife 1nvok1ng
spousal privilege Prosecutors
believe that Clary admitted
guilt to her wife, and claim Case
cannot invoke spousal privilege
because same-sex marriage Is
not recognized In the state of
Kentucky The couple entered a
c1v1Iunion In Vermont In 2004
SENATOR
TAMMY
BALDWIN
has delivered her first speech
on the Senate floor She spoke
about the disconnect "between
the content of the debate here In
Star Struck
Why our favorite celebrities should love us back.
I
n June, I sat with several million
other Americans and watched the
Tony Awards. Mikell Kober, a
lesbian acquaintance of mine and
a theater geek, was in the process of pro~
ducing a new play, Frankenstein Upstairs
( about a lesbian couple living below some
intriguing goings~on), so I was immersed
in theater at the time.
Tony night is so magical. That it hap~
pens during Pride month just makes it
that much more meaningful. I haven't
lived in New York in years, but something
about Tony night makes everyone feel this
close to Broadway.
On Broadway, everyone is gay. So on
ev v1cToR1A A. eRowNwoRTH
Tony night, it was the overwhelming
queerness that got to me-seeing so many
gay and lesbian actors, playwrights and
producers in a love~fest with their straight
allies. It felt like we-queer Americanswere not just part of the larger society, but
were society.
I cried during several of the speechesnotably, when out gay African American
actor Billy Porter, who portrayed Lola in
Cyndi Lauper's Kinky Boots,won the Tony
for best actor in a musical. Porter gave one
of the most moving speeches I've ever heard
about love, acceptance and the importance
of embracing the queers in your family.
Lauper herself, the first woman to win a
Tony for best musical score and a longtime
LGBT rights activist, gave a feminist and
pro~queer speech for the ages. Kinky Boots
producer Suzanne Mackie finished out the
night, asserting that this was a play about
making the world a better place.
So for me, this year's Tony night was
everything we, the queer audience, want
from the celebrities we idolize. They
embraced us, they told us they got it, they
told us we mattered.
Why can't it always be like thatr
Celebrity is the great American cult, in
which everyone but the most elitist among
us are members. I too have a fondness for
some of the glitterati. I have long been a fan
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
19
st
POLITICS
of Cyndi Lauper, who, when asked about
why she's such a strong supporter of LG BT
rights, said simply, 'Tm friend and family,
so ... I live among my people:' (Lauper's
sister is a lesbian.)
My people. Sweet.
And of course it's difficult to imagine
anyone but the right-wing fringe group One
Million Moms not loving Ellen DeGeneres.
She's a celebrity who always seems to live
up to our expectations-just
look at her
support for all things queer and her outspokenness about bullying.
Rosie O'Donnell has a few crazy ideas,
such as her 9 / 11 conspiracy theories, but
she's a tireless voice, not just for LGBT
causes, but for kids and parents. Even when
she's acting a little nuts, she's so open and
honest that it's hard not to love her.
Wanda Sykes talks about being a mom
just like other women celebrities do. That
she's an African American lesbian legally
married to a French woman never seems
to be an issue. She talks to male talk show
hosts about their wives, and they talk to
her about hers. It's fabulous. But it happens because she makes it happen.
Celebrity isn't all warm fuzziness,
however. The celebrities who run in and
out of the closet make us feel bad about
ourselves because they can't accept their
true sexuality.
I don't care that Anne Heche was alesbian for five minutes 20 years ago, or that
Gillian Anderson had a lesbian affair in
high-school. I don't need to hear anything
else about Queen Latifah, Robin Roberts,
Janelle Monae or any of the other women
who are rumored to be closet cases but
apparently just can't bring themselves to
open that door. I can no longer even talk
about Lindsay Lohan.
Nor do I need to hear about the straight
actors and musicians who have a lesbian
following but really don't care about us.
Many women stars play to the lesbian
crowd and then get incensed when we think
they are one of us. I may still love their
music, but I'm over Sarah McLachlan and
Ani DiFranco. Michelle Shocked's recent
homophobic tirade and Lauryn Hill's new
anti-gay hit knocked the both of them off
my playlist for good.
I took some heat back in January when
I wrote a column about how tiresome I find
Jodie Foster, and how she's a terrible role
model for young lesbians-or
queers of
any age.
Heretical, I know. "But we love Jodie:'
Really? Why? Do you love her refusal
to acknowledge anything or anyone queer?
Do you love her best friend, the homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic wife-abuser Mel
Gibson, who is rumored to be the father
of her children? Do you like her support
for convicted child-rapist Roman Polanski? Because I don't love any of that. And
when I hear yet another rambling, selfserving speech in which she plays games
about being a lesbian, I want to just shake
her and tell her to stop manipulating her
queer audience.
But that's the thing about celebritythese people aren't our friends. They're
stars. They're an elite class. They don't have
to do anything they don't want to do,
''
expect more from
celebrities than
do from the lesbian
down the block.
expect them to be
out, to be activists,
to be role models.
expect them to
give some of their
big bucks to
queer causes.
I
I
I
I
''
because they have more money than God
and just as much access.
So why do we give them such power
over us? Why do we spend so much time
paying attention to what they say and door won't say and won't do?
I've been privileged to have some exchanges with Roseanne Barr on Twitter. I
admit I was pretty thrilled that she noticed
me, and was talking to me and favoriting
my tweets. I was impressed that she'd
read my recent writings on rape, which
admittedly have gone viral, but still-she's
Roseanne Barr!
I've been watching Roseanne for what
seems like my whole adult life. She's funny,
smart and politically astute. I love it that
she doesn't give a fuck what people think
or say about her. I love it that she ran for
president.
That she has thousands of followers and
responded to me was exciting. I had a fangirl moment. But why was I swooning over
her and telling my friends about it? Why
was I so thrilled that this famous woman
was reaching out to me?
Because, like everyone else, I'm drawn to
celebrity.And when celebrities turn out to be
people who don't care if they are talking to
someone in their own super-famous sphere
or someone way lower on the pole of fame,
that validates my fan-ish love for them.
Likewise, the cringe-worthy speech
Foster gave at the Golden Globes does
the opposite: makes me feel like the fangirl love and support is misguided and
misplaced.
But how fair is that? Jodie Foster is,
after all, just another 50-year-old lesbian
with issues. Don't we all know plenty of reallife women like her? Do I find her tiresome
precisely because I know so many women
like her-women who are still mostly in the
closet, even though everyone knows they're
gay and they' re old enough that they really
shouldn't care about such things?
I expect more from celebrities than I do
from the lesbian down the block. I expect
them to be out, to be activists, to be role
models. I expect them to give some of their
big bucks to queer causes. I expect them to
reach out to queer kids and feed them the
"it gets better" line, even though I find it
incredibly deceptive.
When I think back on the magic of
Tony night, what I recall is feeling one
with the celebrities. Feeling like I could
have been Billy Porter, or been friends with
Cyndi Lauper. The way they and the other
stars spoke that night made me feel included
and embraced, loved and accepted.
That's what I want from my celebrities.
But I also want to see that in my celebrities: I
want to know that they aren't self-loathing
queers or closet homophobes, but that they
accept themselves for who they are and
accept us-their audience-for who we are.
What I want is for every night to be
Tony night, where everyone acts like queer
is just part of our world-and should be.
Like Lauper, they should think of me as
their people. Otherwise, they don't deserve
my fan-girl moments. Or yours. •
Follow Victoria A. Brownworth on Twitter:
@VABVOX
VIEWStADVI
Living Post DOMA
How does our latest marriage equality victory change our lives?
BY TEMMA EHRENFELD
E
dith Windsor, 84, has won.
For 40 years she loved Thea
Spyer, and got to legally marry
her in Canada, just two years
before Spyer died. Despite her own ill
health, despite being advised that she'd lose,
Windsor pursued a lawsuit, United States
v. Windsor, alleging that under the federal
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) the
government was discriminating against
married same-sex couples. Now her name
will always be attached to the historic
Supreme Court decision that declares part
of DO MA unconstitutional.
The right of same-sex couples to marry is
a matter of fairness-and dollars. The June
26 decision will help more than 70,000
married lesbian and gay couples gain access
to more than 1,000 valuable federal benefits for spouses. But if you live in a state
that doesn't recognize your marriage, you're
in for delays and some frustration. It's also
unclear how the feds will treat civil unions
and domestic partnerships, whether those
involved will have the same access to various benefits. But new possibilities have
emerged, potentially saving same-sex couples a lot of headaches and money.
WHO'S MARRIED?
In 1996, when Congress passed DOMA,
no state permitted same-sex couples to
marry. As of June, or soon, you can marry
your lesbian love in 12 states and the District of Columbia, although until recently,
none of those marriages counted under
federal law.
In striking down Section 3 of DOMA,
the 5-4 majority barred the federal government from discriminating against samesex couples who are married in states that
recognize same-sex marriage. But the justices permitted another section to standallowing states' rights to prevail in some
circumstances: Any state can still ban
same-sex marriage and ignore the rights
conferred on a same-sex couple if they
were married in another state.
Things remain murky if you were married elsewhere and now live in unfriendly
territory. Kat Morgan and Daena Petersen
were married in Vermont in 2010, after
entering into a civil union in 200 L But the
tight job market pushed Petersen, a doctor,
to consider residencies around the country, and the couple wound up moving to
Charleston, S.C., where an amendment to
the state constitution bans gay marriage.
South Carolina doesn't have to recognize
the Morgan-Petersen marriage. But what
about the U.S. Internal Revenue Servicer
Or the U.S. Social Security Administration?
"In the days to come, we will learn about all
the nuances, loopholes and exceptions;' says
Morgan, an organizational development
consultant. Both agencies now determine
eligibility for spousal benefits based on the
marriage laws in the state where you live.
(The IRS has more potential flexibility.)
Similarly, if you apply for a leave under the
Family and Medical Leave Act, currently
you need to be married where you reside.
The patchwork of conflicting state laws
has long made life harder for same-sex
couples. Karen Mateer, a Pasadena-based
tax, trust and estate attorney, advised a
gay couple who moved from California to
Arizona at mid-year. "Their taxes were
a mess, because the rules were completely
different in the two states;' she says. In California, they were married; in Arizona, they
weren't. It remains to be seen whether, postWindsor, they will be married in the eyes of
the IRS.
With Obama's support, White House
officials have said that they're already analyzing the many laws and statutes at issue.
"Given the president's stance, it is likely that
the federal government will take action to
ensure that same-sex couples have access to
most, if not all, federal benefits;' says Lisa
Linsky, a partner at McDermott Will &
Emery, a law firm that specializes in LGBT
issues. The ideal solution, she says, would
be an across-the-board federal policy that
recognizes your marriage as legal based on
where it was "celebrated;'-the legal termregardless of where you currently live.
But it may take time. "Unless President
Obama issues an executive order;' says
Larry Jacobs, a Rockville, Md., estate and
trust attorney, "we'll be sorting this out
for a while:' Changes in state law are also
possible. "The decision may inspire states
that don't recognize same-sex marriages to
reconsider;' says Linsky, who suggests that
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
21
it's a good idea to pull together your paperwork and consult lawyers and accountants
as changes set in. In the meantime, Lambda
Legal's fact-sheets provide some guidance.
WHO'S DIVORCED?
While breaking up is always hard, the new
ruling will help. Consider the case of a lesbian couple who were joined in a civil union
in New Jersey. After they separated, a judge
ordered the higher-earning partner to pay
spousal support. If the couple had been
married under federal law, the partner paying the spousal support could have deducted
those payments from her federal taxes, saving
her thousands of dollars a year. The new
ruling may change that-if the IRS considers civil unions as marriage.
Another wrinkle: The partner paying
spousal support in New Jersey expects that
a judge will also require her to give her ex
a chunk of her 401(k). Because federal law
governs these retirement plans, she hasn't
known whether her company would make
the distribution. A hetero ex-spouse can
roll the 401(k) payment into a retirement
account, thereby avoiding taxes. Will a
lesbian ex-spouse have that benefit, postWindsorr We shall see.
INCOME TAXES
Life under the new regime may be simpler
but not necessarily cheaper. Gay married
couples typically have had to prepare four
tax returns: two federal returns, as though
they were single; a joint state return; and,
because the state return requires certain
federal numbers, a federal joint return, too.
Now they can file one joint state and federal
return, as most hetero couples do.
If one spouse makes a lot more money than the other, a joint return in effect
lowers the couple's taxes by combining
their income. But when two high-earners
file jointly, they may pay more than they
would if they were single-incurring
the
famous "marriage penalty:'
If you stand to save money by filing
jointly, you should be able to refile for the tax
years 2010, 2011 and 2012. But this stuff is
complicated so check with the professionals
first to make sure you are making the right
decisions. Windsor got hit with an estate
tax bill of $363, 000 after Spyer died, just as
though a total stranger had left her money.
But now, married same-sex survivors should
be free of estate tax. This also means that
you can give your spouse money while you're
both alive without worrying about taxes.
22
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
SOCIAL SECURITY
Your lesbian widow could now be eligible
for the Social Security "widow's benefit:'
Although you may not be in luck if you live
in a state that doesn't recognize your marriage, the agency's rules suggest that benefits would extend to some couples in civil
unions and domestic partnerships. Your
widow may be entitled to benefits from any
pension covered by federal rules. And you
can't name someone else as a beneficiary of
your retirement plan without your spouse's
consent-another
protection that now
should extend to many same-sex couples.
None of this means that you can skip doing some financial planning."People may be
lulled into a false sense of security;' Jacobs
worries. You'll still need wills to clarify what
each of you will inherit.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Within hours of the decision, Defense
Secretary Chuck Hagel announced that
the Pentagon would give gay service members nearly 100 perks that were off-limits
under DOMA. Federal employees generally should see broad benefits. But it's less
clear what other employers will do.
However, it's not clear whether civil unions
or domestic partnerships will count.
WHERE WE STAND
The Windsor decision is a big momentbut, as Morgan puts it, "We didn't get to full
marriage equality. It is certainly coming faster than I ever expected, but every day we wait
there are real consequences and costs. Every
day our marriage isn't recognized, we are
vulnerable. Because of this, for many of us,
[the DO MA] victory was quite bittersweet:'
Cases challenging state bans like the one in
South Carolina are in the pipeline. You can
also expect to see more marriages among the
estimated 650,000 same-sex couples who
are living together nationally-those federal
benefits can be persuasive.
In a recent survey of LGBT Americans
by the Pew Research Center, more than half
of the unmarried gay men and lesbians said
they'd like to marry someday, and 4 percent
of gay men and 6 percent of lesbians said
they were currently married. Lesbian marriages, Pew reports, outnumber gay men's
marriages everywhere except in New York
City. So, if you haven't done it yet, now may
be the time to take the plunge! •
HEALTH INSURANCE
HOW TO POP THE QUESTION
Under federal law, employer health insurance plans must allow you to include your
spouse, but gay people living in states that
don't recognize their marriages may run into
problems. Linsky expects to see court cases
challenging the policies of private employers who don't grant either health or pension benefits to spouses, if the employers'
plans rely on a definition of marriage based
on DOMA. If you paid extra federal taxes
on health insurance coverage because your
marriage wasn't federally recognized, talk to
your employer about adjusting the amount
of your 2013 withholding.
Now that DOMA has gone the way of the
dinosaurs, how do you pop the question? Who
better to ask about "The New Etiquette of the
Rainbow" than same-sex jewelry LVOEdesigner
Rony Tennenbaum.
IMMIGRATION
Under federal law, an American can marry
a non-citizen of the opposite sex and help
them obtain a green card and eventually
become a citizen. That hasn't been true for
same-sex couples. Jacobs works with a gay
man who is married under D.C law to a
non-citizen: "They've been living under the
threat of deportation hanging over him like
a sword for years;' he says. Now, according to
Immigration Equality, a gay-rights group,
you can apply for a green card if you are
legally married-even
if you now live in a
state that doesn't recognize your marriage.
1. Be prepared. "I have had so many girl
couples tell me when the moment came, they
thought they were prepared, but ended up
saying nothing like what they expected."
2. Intimate proposal or grand gesture?
"Don't limit yourself, but be true to who you are
and your partner. For those who want to make
a splash, I say go for the grand gesture!"
3. Who proposes to whom? "There is something very powerful in each of the couple being
able to ask the question: 'Will you Marry Me?'
and having the satisfaction of hearing: 'Yes!' "
4. Save the edibles for the after party.
"When a ring leaves my hands in its beautiful
ring box, it has been polished to its brightest,
cleaned and sparkling. Don't ruin that beautiful
look with cake crumbs and sugary syrup." If
you're looking for a unique way to reveal a ring,
he suggests putting the ring box on a napkin in
the middle of the plate. -Hassina Obaidy
VIEWS/
I'm in Love with
My Teacher!
How can I tell if Ms. Cramer likes me back?
"balls" in every other sentence.
and illustrated (it was called
Spit chewing tobacco and
Billy the Bunny). I recently
drink Bud. Soon they'll start
found the book tucked away
treating you like one of the
in my parents' attic and I saw
guys and forget you even have
homoerotic undertones I didn't
a vagina.
even realize were there. But
BY LIPSTICK & DIPSTICK
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick: I am in love
with my math teacher. First of all, she is
26 and I am only 16. I know what you are
thinking ...! am too young to be in love.
But quite the contrary, I know for sure
what I am feeling. I just wanted to know,
What do you think I should do? How can
I tell if she might be interested? Once I
graduate from high school, how should
I go about becoming friends with her?
-Quivering
the children's book I wrote
LIPSTICK+OIPSTI
Over Mrs. Cramer
/////////////////////n,,,,,,,,,.,,,,///////////////////////#////#////////#/////////////////////////////////
that's not the point. The point
Lipstick: Ha! Has that actu-
is, you have a crush on your
ally worked for you in the
teacher. It isn't love. Once you
past, Dip? What I'm wonder-
fall in love for real, you'll realize
ing, Tammy, is how you can
that love is not one-sided. It's
be "closeted," but these
something you enter into on
dudes know you're a lesbian.
an equal footing with a partner
Mindboggling. That aside,
who reciprocates. Regardless,
methinks there's a teensy-weensy
enjoy the crush and keep turning
part of you that actually likes
your homework in on time
the attention, and the sexual
and doing those extra-credit
frisson. This is nothing to be
projects. You might end up as
ashamed of, because sexuality
an aerospace engineer, an
is complicated and no feelings
accountant or a corporate CEO.
you have are wrong-even
identifying as a lesbian and still
Dear Lipstick and Dipstick:
loving that kind of attention
I'm closeted and I have a hard
from men. That said ...of course
time dealing with the way my
they're turned on by your hot
guy friends react when I talk
lesbian sex talk. Who wouldn't
to them about sex with women.
be? I don't know many straight
They know I'm a lesbian, and
women-if
they're being
Lipstick: We're not thinking
crush will become. How about
I enjoy their company, but it's
really honest-who
you're too young to be in
focusing on a sport, or making
tough. They keep hitting on
be turned on, too. If it's really
love, young lass, we're think-
the debate team, or meeting
me. Do you two have any tips
bothering you, take Dipstick's
ing you're too young to be
a girl who just got her driver's
on how to deal with this?
advice-not
in love with a 26-year-old!
license? Dip, I bet you've been
-Tammy the Teaser
and boopsies-and
Here's what you should do:
infatuated with a teach or two.
isn't interested. And it's not
Dipstick: Don't you know it,
because you're not adorable,
Lip! I know exactly how you
Men's brains are simple.
feel, Quiver Pants. Oh, did I
When you talk about sex,
Cramer is not interested
have the biggest crush on Miss
they think you want to
because it's a felony. I know
Anderson, my seventh-grade
do it-with
it's tough-all
lezzies are hot
English teacher. I was the first
can't help it. There's
for teacher at various points
to pop my hand up when she
an "on" switch and an
in their education-but
asked for volunteers to read
"off" switch-that's
out loud. On my way home, I
talking about sex, you're
and try to move on. In this new
would stop by her classroom
flicking the "on" switch.
school year, concentrate on
just to linger in her presence,
Since you're female and
things that have nothing to do
and ask if she needed her eras-
you just happen to be
with Mrs. Cramer. Remember,
ers clapped. (Do schools still
in front of them, they
what we focus on, emotionally,
have erasers and chalkboards?)
want to have sex with
will only grow stronger, so the
I'd sneak a peek at her desk for
you. The solution to this
more attention you give your
clues that she had a boyfriend,
is simple, too: Instead of
crush-obsessing
or a girlfriend. I think part of the
sex, discuss pro wrestling,
got to do your heart a favor
over her,
cunni-linguistics! •
them. They
it. By
spending time in her class-
reason I became a writer was
baseball, NASCAR. Belch
room-the
because of how she praised
and fart. Use the word
more intense your
stop
them about your sex life.
charming and smart. Mrs.
you've
about the burps
speaking to those guys in
Dipstick: Yes. Stop telling
Fuhgeddaboudit. Your teacher
wouldn't
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
23
DINAH
DOES
VEGAS
Getting down at Girl Bar's Dinah Shore Las Vegas.
Girl Bar, Truck Stop Girlz and Caesars Entertainment celebrated
pool party at the fabulous Flamingo GO Pool, which featured
their annual Dinah Shore Las Vegas this year in style at host
all the essentials, like a waterfall and three outdoor bars, plus a
hotels around The Strip, Planet Hollywood, Flamingo and Rio.
high stakes poker table where card sharks played half-naked-
Now in its second year, Dinah Vegas rolled out double the
while working on their tans. Saturday night was the infamous
festivities with twice as many dancers, parties and attendees.
White Party, hosted at the Flamingo pool, with more go-go
Flying in from all over the globe, thousands of women partied
girls, and live dance performances by the sexy Truck Stop Girlz,
the weekend away in the neon city that never sleeps.
gyrating in torn tees and hosiery.
Guests kicked off the weekend with Friday's opening party
The weekend came to a close Sunday with a T-Dance at
at Rio's two-story, indoor/outdoor dance floors. Go-go dancers
Diablo's Cantina in the Monte Carlo Resort. Though a bittersweet
shimmied the night away while attendees mingled, danced and
ending, the Latin flavor and overflowing margaritas reminded
took in a breathtaking view of the entire city.
guests that this was only the beginning of the biggest girl party
Saturday, ladies stripped down to their bikinis for the Infinity
24
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
in Las Vegas. (dinahshoreweekend.com) -Elizabeth Estochen
NCLR'S
36TH
ANNIVERSARY
GALA
A glamorous night to celebrate
the heroes fighting for our rights.
On May 18, NCLR hosted their 36th
Anniversary Gala at the Westin Saint
Francis in San Francisco. The evening
opened with Olga Talamante-Chicana
activist, and former co-chair of the
NCLR's board of directors, awarding
this year's Courage Awards. Recipients
included Alejandra Estrada, Luis Liang,
Carla Lopez and Jose Mendoza-all
LGBT youths-who
fought for the
Development, Relief, and Education for
Alien Minors Act. This bill, if not defeated
in 2010, would have created more
education and employment opportunities for alien immigrant youth. The
efforts of these four youths also helped
set into motion the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals, a recently signed
executive order allowing work permits,
and temporary protection from deportation for undocumented immigrants
moved before the age of 16.
Jennifer Tobits, who took home the
Justice Award, shared the tragic tale
of her legal battle in Illinois for the
state to recognize her marriage to late
wife Sarah Ellyn Farley. After enduring
the illness and eventual loss of Farley,
Tobits was forced to stand up against
Farley's homophobic parents, who
refused to acknowledge the pair's
marriage, and claimed ownership to all
of Farley's assets.
Out trans lawyer, Shannon Price
Minter, was the recipient of this year's
Founder's Award for her work fighting
cases for LGBT rights for two decades.
Minter was presented with the award
by the evening's surprise guest,
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom.
Following the anniversary dinner
was the gala at San Francisco Metreon's
City View, filled with arcade games,
miniature-sized noodle salads and
tacos, tarot card readers and a photo
booth. The party at City View overlooked
San Francisco's Financial District,
providing a view for guests to admire
as the NCLR celebrated 36 successful
years, and anticipated more to come.
(nclrights.org) -Elizabeth Estochen
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
25
st TWO OF US
House and were blown away by her stage
Dominique & Laurie
Dominique Cardona and Laurie Colbert, co-directors of the
highly-anticipated lesbian film Margarita, dish on falling in love
and telling our stories. ev RACHEL SHATTO
HOW
THEY
MET
HOW
THEY
CHOSE
TOWORK
TOGETHER
DOMINIQUE: We met during a boat dance
Before we could actually
understand each other, we went to dozens
of movies and found that film was a common
interest that helped us bond.
LAURIE: Neither one of us thought of being
filmmakers-we were just film buffs. But in
Paris we started to meet other filmmakers,
watched hundreds of films and thought:
Why not? Let's try. We didn't like the por~
trayal of lesbians in mainstream cinema or
even in documentaries-they
seemed to
always be portrayed as overly apologetic,
sad or patronizing. We decided to make
Thank God I'm a Lesbian,a documentary
that shows the other side of lesbianismthe luminous side.
on the Seine River in Paris at the end of
the '80s. That was a time when Leshia,the
only lesbian magazine in France, organized
wild parties once a month on a barge by
Notre Dame. Neither of us could speak the
other's language, so communicating was a
little tough at first-but a lot of fun. Laurie
knew one sentence: "Voulez~vous coucher
avec moi ce soir:"'
LAURIE: It was all very romantic and so,
so French. We met on the dance floor. We
danced together, left together and weve
been together ever since.
HOW
THEY
OVERCAME
THE
LANGUAGE
BARRIER
LAURIE: Language isn't the only way to
communicate. We found other ways and
explored them all. Then Dami learned
English and I learned French. It took about
eight months before we could have a really
meaningful conversation. By the time we
were able to understand each other it was
too late-we were completely in love.
DOMINIQUE: At first it was like discovering
a new person every day and I like that feel~
ing. I still have it. It's wonderful to live with
someone for so long and still be surprised.
26
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
DOMINIQUE:
HOW
THEY
SELECT
APROJECT
The kernel of each project
inevitably comes out of an intense conversa~
tion. Then we start throwing around ideas
and voila-the whole idea starts to take
shape. We only work on one project at a
time so we just keep going until it's doneif nothing else, we're tenacious as hell.
DOMINIQUE:
presence. At the time we had been talk~
ing about doing a film about a nanny
living without legal status in Canada. We
wanted to explore what it is like to live in
Toronto without documentation and the
social support system that comes with it.
We also wanted to explore the other side
of the equation and look at the families
who employ and in many cases-know~
ingly or not-exploit
these workers. We
were fascinated by the concept of the class
structure that still exists in a society that is
legislatively class~free.
LAURIE: Twenty years ago, Dominique was
forced to leave Canada, as she'd been a
"tourist" for just a little too long. It was
agony to be separated for eight months
as she waited in France for her Canadian
landed immigrant status. If we had met
today, things would have been easier. We
could have gotten married, for example,
and avoided a lot of bureaucracy. That's
such an important advancement in basic
human rights and ... we wanted to celebrate
that in this film.
HOW
THEY
RESOLVE
DIFFERENCES
ONAND
OFF
THE
SET
LAURIE: A shoot moves so fast that we don't
have the luxury of time or the energy to
argue. Preparation is really the key with a
tight shooting schedule; it's essential to be
able to foresee issues and discuss everything
before being on the set. We've been together
for 25 years, so there's a lot of intuition.
ONTHE
ROLE
ACTIVISM
PLAYS
INTHEIR
LIVES
DOMINIQUE: We are lesbians and feminists
and we will always be involved in any strug~
gle that makes women's lives better. Activism
is at the core of our work. Being filmmakers
gives us the opportunity to challenge the
status quo, specifically in terms of the image
of women and lesbians in mainstream
media. Art is about challenging beliefs and,
if not changing them, at least providing a
forum for dialogue that can lead to change.
That's why we became filmmakers and it's
why we continue to make films. •
ONTHE
INSPIRATION
BEHIND
MARGARITA
We saw Nicola Correia
Damude on stage in Toronto in The Clean
DOMINIQUE:
Margarita debutson WolfeVOD Oct.29 and
willbeavailableon DVD Nov. 19from Wolfe.
MUSIC
»
BOOKS
»
FlLM»
curve
Sisters Who Rock
Sisters in the life, and in real life, Cathy Henderson and Kristen Ellis-Henderson of Antigone Rising
raise their glasses to marriage equality and a new single about whiskey. av STEPHANIE scHROEDER
both standing on
the same porch right
now on Long Island
near the beach;' says
Cathy Henderson. Cathy and her sister
Kristen are native Long Islanders and say
they've lived together most of their lives.
"But now we live only a hop, skip and a
jump from each other;' says Kristen.
Founders of the all~female rock band
Antigone Rising, Cathy, who plays lead
guitar, says that her sister Kristen, who
plays bass guitar, returned to their roots
when she and her wife Sarah Kate Ellis
''We're
decided to have children. Cathy followed
soon after.
The success of Antigone Rising is not
a typical rags~to~riches band story-at
least not riches traditionally defined. The
formation of the band began at Bucknell
University in Pennsylvania, which both
Cathy and Kristen attended. "When we
were there we met [Penelope Kokines and
Suzanne Obolsky] who formed Antigone
Rising. When we moved to New York
City, we played small venues up and down
Bleecker Street;' recalls Cathy.
Back then the band was more of an
acoustic quartet, and the lead singer decided
to get married and move to Boston. "She
missed the train as it was pulling out of the
station;' Kristen laughs. "This was around
1989, and within two weeks we landed a
gig at Lilith Fair where we had a transitional
lead singer. From there, our current story
began, with shifting members, and figuring
out how it was all going to work. We met
everybody in N.Y.C., in the clubs, including
Nini [Camps], who is now our lead singer:'
With the equally charismatic sisters
Cathy and Kristen on guitar, the energetic
and husky~voiced Camps up front, and
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
27
REVIEWS/
MUSIC
Dena Tauriello bringing up the rear on
drums, Antigone Rising evolved into a solid
band capable of producing a big rock sound
while incorporating the pop, folk and
country elements that lesbians love. "We
signed a contract, jumped in a bus, traveled
around the world, and are now back on
Long Island;' says Kristen.
Their latest release, the irresistibly
toe-tapping, tongue-in-cheek, alt-country
tune "It Was the Whiskey" was born from
life on the road.
"We were down in Florida at the 30A
Songwriters Festival;' recalls Cathy. "It was
a Saturday night and the Bangles' Vicki
Peterson, along with Lori McKenna, Garrison Starr and Michelle Malone were all
in the audience. It was Nini's birthday and
we had a prime slot, playing in a roadhouse bar:'
"There was a magical thing going
on up and down the Emerald Coast on
Highway 30A;' says Kristen, picking up
the story's thread. "Every venue becomes
a live music venue, with no traditional
stage. For instance, you walk into the
bagel shop and Lori McKenna is playing
or at a nearby coffeehouse you see Mary
Gauthier;' says Kristen.
Antigone Rising was the final show of
Saturday's schedule. "The old roadhouse
bar lent itself to the spirit of debauchery;'
says Cathy.
"It was electric-on fire. Everyone from
the festival gathered at the bar. Lori McKenna, who more than anyone knows us
from writing, which is on a different level
than touring with Garrison or Michelle,
was in the audience, but we didn't know it.
Garrison was on the side of the stage and
Michelle was hooting and hollering in the
audience. It was just amazing:'
"It Was the Whiskey" was co-written
with McKenna and loosely based on that
night. The band is making a video to accompany the song.
Back home on Long Island things are
quieter now after Kristen and her wife Sarah Kate were celebrated at a national level.
A photo of the couple kissing was selected
as the cover for TIME magazine's issue on
marriage equality in March.
"That came about because my wife and
I wrote a book, Times Two: Two Women in
Love and the Happy Family They Made back
in 2009, when marriage equality didn't pass
in the New York Senate;' says Kristen.
"Then, with DOMA and Prop. 8 coming
up in the Supreme Court, TIME remembered us from the book and we were
asked about coming in to discuss DOMA.
They asked us if we would also do photos,
including kissing. That phone call was on a
Friday at 9 p.m. and we were in the TIME
offices on Monday morning at 11 a.m:'
The two women didn't realize the photo
would be used for the magazine's cover.
They weren't even sure any photos would
be published at all. "Wednesday afternoon
we got a call that there would be a split
cover, one with two gay men kissing and
another cover with us;' says Kristen.
Kristen is used to media attention since
she and Sarah Kate, then working as the
marketing director at Real Simple magazine, got pregnant on the same day and the
publication ran a Mother's Day story about
them, which led to their book deal.
Family is at the core of Antigone Rising.
Cathy loves hanging out with her niece Kate
and nephew Thomas. (The Hendersons
also have a brother with children). "I absolutely knew I would be a professional aunt.
But, that is as far as it goes. I am a big kid,
I love running around like crazy, and then
leaving them with their parents;' says Cathy.
"That was my plan and I've stuck to it:'
The band balances child-rearing with
writing, and Nini has a studio in her
house, which-of course-is around the
corner from the Henderson sisters on
Long Island.
"Nini has a kid in pre-K with our kids;'
says Kristen. "We drop the kids at school
and run back to the studio to record from
8:45 a.m. until noon. Then we pick up the
kids and go to the park. That's how it works
now, but we get it done:'
Yes, Antigone Rising gets it done. "It
Was the Whiskey" was taken from their
new five-song EP, which will be released
this fall in time with an East Coast tour.
Catch the band as it continues to rise.
(antigonerising.com) •
HOT
LICKS
Violent
Vickie
Monster
Alley
(Violent
VicKie)
Melding riot grrrl, electronica and
pop, Violent Vickie kicks it up on
Monster Alley, her debut full-length
release with help on keys from Tyler
Holmes and Cat Scratch. With a voice
hauntingly evocative of Garbage's
Shirley Manson, Vickie's wryly
insightful lyrics are thought-provoking
like Le Tigre and Peaches before her.
Violent Vickie addresses topics like
consumerism, addiction and religion
without forsaking an infectious
electro-punk beat. The National
Organization for Women-NYC recently
pulled off a coup in featuring "The
Wolf," hot off Monster Alley, in a video
designed to up its cool factor: "When
you see me on the street, you think
I'm something you could eat...l don't
think you understand that I'm coming
for you, man." -MARIA
DELAD
Hi-Fashion
You
Are
Gorgeous
(Hi-~asnion)
For those still in mourning over
the Scissor Sisters' declaration of
indefinite hiatus, Hi-Fashion may
just be the auditory salve you've
been waiting for. Jen OM and Rick
Gradone met at a gay bar and soon
after formed Hi-Fashion, so it's little
surprise they fly their Pride flag
high. They've been described as
theatrical, lavish and hilarious-and
with good reason. Their lyrics are
clever, irreverent and often naughty.
And their visually stunning videos
play more like performance art than
your run of the mill music video.
YouAre Gorgeousmarks the duo's
sophomore EP and they maintain
their gift creating cheeky, raunchy
and undeniably catchy electrodance music. The standout track,
"Eighteen" is a call to get freaky on
the dance floor with its none-toosubtly suggestive lyrics and throbbing
SHATTO
beats. -RACHEL
WANT
TOSEE
MORE?
GET
CLRVE•
FOR
ADDITIONAL
IMAGES
AND
VIDEO
28
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
REVIEWS/
Power and Pleasure
Tristan Taormina is back with her feminist take on porn.
BY DAR DOWLING
o you want to know about G~spot
orgasms, female ejaculation, anal
sex, open relationships, sex toys ...
well, Tristan Taormina can give
you the education you've been looking for,
and then some. I ran into Taormina, who is
one of the hottest queer sex educators on
the planet, at BookExpo America (BEA)
in New York City this year, where she was
signing Stripped Down: Lesbian Sex Stories.
And talk about product placement-the
folks at BEA certainly have a great sense
of humor, because at the signing they put
her right beside Mother Dolores Hart
S
(once a Hollywood starlet, now a contem~
plative nun), who was there signing her
memoir, The Ear of the Heart. Both books
no doubt provide useful information, but
Stripped Down is the one you want on your
nightstand, because it delivers the kind of
multi~orgasmic experience you expect from
Taormina, who is also the co~editor of the
newly released Feminist Porn Book: The
Politics of Producing Pleasure.
Producing pleasure? Yes, Taormina
considers herself a feminist pornographer,
having produced and directed 24 adult
films, including two videos based on her
BOOKS
book The Ultimate Guide to
Anal Sex for Women as well
as Chemistry, a reality~based
series of full~length movies in
which the performers choose
their own sex partners. At the
2010 Good for Her Feminist
Porn Awards, which "cele~
brate, recognize, and endorse
filmmakers who create erotic media with
a feminist sensibility;' Taormina was given
the Trailblazer Award. While her films
are definitely educational, they are explicit,
and raw, and-most
importantly to Taor~
mino-authentic
in depicting how women
actually like to have sex.
Her chapter in The Feminist Porn Book
starts: "My passion for sex education made
me a pornographer ... " When she thought
about making a video to go along with The
Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women,
she wanted to reach a broad audience and
teamed up with Evil Angel, the only main~
stream company that was willing to take
on a sex education film. Taormina got a
crash course in making porn, but she also
introduced her own ideas. She wanted the
film to be as hot as it was educational, so
viewers would actually want to have sex
after watching it. To achieve this, she cast
women who loved having anal sex, and this
focus on "female pleasure" and "real female
orgasms" is something that runs through~
out her film work. Today, she's still focused
on having a diverse audience, whether
she's leading a workshop or producing a
film. "I love the idea of teaching a strap~on
class and having a dyke sitting next to a
straight couple;' she says.
The transition from writer and sex
educator to pornographer wasn't a big
one, intellectually or emotionally, because
Taormina never thought that all porn was
degrading to women. Having seen lesbian
feminist smut films such as Suburban
Dykes, in 1991, she knew that it was pos~
sible to make "revolutionary porn:' Yet it
wasn't until 2005 that she decided to join
the revolution, since she wasn't happy with
the way it was ignoring women's needs.
"I wanted to make a different kind of
porn;' she says-porn
that she actually
wanted to watch: porn that was ethically
made, that moved away from shallow
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
29
REVIEWS/
BOOKS
images, challenged stereotypes, focused on
female desire and power-and
porn that
was hot. So she put her own body on the
line, actually performing in some of her
films. "What's exciting about feminist porn
is that it's ours;' she says.
What does this mean for lesbians?
Well, it means seeing "authentic lesbian
sex;' because in her films Taormino only
shoots "down and dirty lesbian sex scenes"
with women who really like having sex with
other women. "They must really know their
way around the vulva'' and demonstrate
"real lesbian desire;' insists Taormino, who
believes there are more feminists behind
and in front of the camera these days than
ever before.
"Feminist porn is finally having its
moment;' she says. So much so that this
year Taormino launched the Feminist
Porn Conference, which by all accounts
was a huge success, and will be held again
next year.
The longer I talked with her, the more I
realized that lesbians are coming out on the
winning side of the porn wars, with films
that not only turn us on but expand the
boundaries of sexual representation as well.
(puckerup.com) •
ATryst
With
Tristan
ON HER BEST FILMS FOR LESBIANS:
Well, my films are primarily straight movies,
although some contain lesbian scenes and and/
or feature queer performers. Everyone loves
the Chemistry series; it's my reality porn series.
RoughSex #2 has two awesome scenes,
one between Madison Young and Dylan Ryan
and another between April Flores and Claire
Adams. From the Expert Guide series, I
recommend Expert Guideto FemaleOrgasms
and Expert Guideto Pegging:Strap-on Anal Sex
for Couples.
ON WHAT TO WATCH TO SEE HER IN ACTION:
I've had sex on camera in three films, two of
them directed by me: The Ultimate Guideto
Anal Sex for Women(1999), TheUltimate Guide
to Anal Sex for Women2 (2001), and Ecstatic
Moments from Libido Productions (1999). In
my current films, I host and teach on camera
(but don't have sex) in all the Expert Guide sex
education movies.
30
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
EDITOR'S
PICK»
BYRACHEL
PEPPER
Ghost Wife: A Memoir
of Love and Defiance
Michelle Dicinoski
(Black Inc.)
The issue of immigration reform is particularly poignant for LGBT
couples. When couples can't legally marry, and are of different
nationalities, staying together is especially complex. For Australian
writer Michelle Dicinoski and her American lover Heather, the
journey to publicly and personally validate their relationship led
them to marriage. In this memoir Dicinoski writes, "Marriage
was a crazy idea. We had only been together for fifteen months.
Heather wasn't an Australian citizen, and she would probably
have to leave the country when her student visa expired-and I
saw no way that I could move to the United States. I didn't know
where we would be in two or three years; our fate was dependent on economics and governments and bureaucrats." And
yet, states Dicinoski, these reasons confirmed her belief in the
very reasons why they should marry. And so the women head to
Ontario, Canada, gather family and friends together, and legally
wed. What makes Ghost Wife so engaging, however, is that it's
not just the story of a wedding. After all, personal accounts,
how-to guides, and even
photo books of lesbian and
gay marriage are common
now. Rather, Ghost Wife is
an insightful examination
of the human heart-the
choices we make, and the
chances we take, to find
and keep love. It's also a
haunting multi-generational
family drama, including a
historical account of the
neglected Australian children, of which the writer's
own mother was one, who
suffered in the care of state
institutions. Both elegiac
and celebratory, Ghost
Wife captures one couple's
journey not just towards
matrimony, but ultimately,
toward the redeeming
power of love.
REVIEWS/
FILM
Taking Over Tinseltown
Jamie Babbit on her new film Breaking the Girls and queering Hollywood.
H
ollywood director Jamie
Babbit likens her job to 'getting invited to a Christmas
dinner and you're the guest
of honor, but you've never met anyone:'
She says it takes a very specific skill set to
direct: "You have to be able to fit in immediately and also be in charge of everything:'
She certainly is the woman for the job
with a friendly, approachable air-like
the girl next door-and
a calm, practical
self-confidence.
Fourteen years since her iconic lesbian
feature But I'm a Cheerleader, Babbit has
been working "nonstop" in Hollywood and
is a member of the Directors Guild of
America, which still counts only 13 percent
women among its ranks. She's been called
"one of the hardest working directors in
Hollywood:' She says she feels very blessed
to have her career.'Tve gotten to work with
some really great actors. It's fun to work on
really big shows, like Smash or Alias:' She
says she enjoys running the studio productions with hundreds of people, numerous
camera crews and elaborate stunts. "It's a
tightly controlled ship that works really
well. It's fun to lead that ship:'
Curve caught up with Babbit in San
Francisco as she was being honored for
her contribution to queer media with
the Frameline Film Festival Award. She
also premiered her new thriller Breaking
the Girls, written by her buddy from Go
Fish days Guinevere Turner. Californication fans will recognize Madeline Zima
as one of the stars in this lesbian remake
of Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train.
With a campy sensibility and a B-movie
feel, the indie flick will surely gain a following for daytime TV's The Bold and
the Beautiful star Agnes Bruckner and the
lovely Drop Dead Diva regular Kate Levering. "It was a different way of working ...
seat of your pants, low down and dirty
filmmaking," says Babbit of the difference
between studio and indie directing.
At the Castro Theatre presentation,
Frameline's programmer Des Buford noted
that Babbit has always been out and
that the throughline in her work is that
it's "authentically feminist at its core. Go
On, featuring a lesbian wedding episode;
Drop Dead Diva including a hilarious lesbian prom episode with Wanda Sykes;
Smash; Revenge; United States of Tara;
The Middle; Cougar Town; The L Word;
Gossip Girl; Gilmore Girls; Ugly Betty;
ev KATHLEEN w1LK1NsoN
Alias; Nip/Tuck; Popular and lately the
hit HBO series Girls-what is consistent
in all of her work? A female character, often
an easily identifiable lesbian or one with
an unidentified sexuality, front and center.
They have a very clear voice and are usually
resisting societal or gender norms. For far
too long femaleness and queer femininity
REVIEWS/
FlLM
''
It's definitely getting
better, even on
television there are
many more gay
characters, but there's
still so much more
room. I'm still hungry
for movies with plots
about our community.
''
have been pushed to the margins. Babbit
will have none of that in her work.
Accepting the award Babbit noted that
she had screened her short SleepingBeauties
to the Castro in 1999 and hopes that the
short film directors of today will be fol~
lowing with features in the next 15 years.
She added that she herself hoped to bring
10 lesbian features back in the next 20
years. "Let's go for that;' she quipped.
As for film and TV, Babbit sees things
improving for both women and queers. "I
do think it's getting better for women in
Hollywood. It was a very closed door for a
lot of people because it's union and it pays
really well:' She sees women 10 and 20 years
older than hersel£ the true pioneers, who
are still working and believes more women
32
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
will be coming up the ranks. As for queer
representation, she adds, "It's definitely
getting better, even on television there are
many more gay characters, but there's still
so much more room. I'm still hungry for
movies with plots about our community:'
As grateful as she is for the opportunity
to do the work she loves, she's also proud
of being a mom and having a career at the
same time. She has two daughters: ages 6
and 9. "It's a hard thing to pull off, sustain~
ing a directing career that you can make a
living off of for a lifetime. I always wanted
to be a breadwinner who can provide for
my family. That seemed like a feminist
agenda to me too:'
She acknowledges the balance is a hard
one. "There's a lot more leniency in father~
hood, social acceptance of certain things,
like if you have a job and work a lot of hours,
'Good for you!' But if you're a mother, it's:
'How could you?'"
As for marriage, Babbit takes a more
sardonic view, which she attributes to being
divorced (from producer Andrea Sperling).
'Tm all for equal rights and for the mar~
riage laws to be the same, but I also am very
understanding as someone who has been in
a gay divorce with two kids, what it means,
the legality and the financial [side] ... it's a
lot. A lot of gay people are super excited
about running out and getting married, but
I think it's just as challenging for gay people
as it is for straight people. When everyone's
like, Yeah, I can't wait to get married. I'm
like, Guys, relax:'
What's next for Babbit? The answer is,
a lot. Like most TV directors, she will have
her"dance card" filled in July for the coming
year. She already knows she will be working
with Rebel Wilson (PitchPerfect)on a new
comedy series for ABC, SuperFun Night, as
well as a new gay male show and a comedy
show pilot for HBO. She's also planning to
continue to work on Drop Dead Diva.
Beyond this year's line~up, Babbit can
spiel off a ton of ideas for new series she'd
like to do-everything
from a series with
Breaking the Girls as a backstory to one
based on the original author of Strangerson
a Train. "I am a huge Patricia Highsmith
fan:' Tue director read Highsmith's biogra~
phy for her recent film and was intrigued
by the challenges that the famous lesbian
writer faced. She was "an out woman or a
sort~of out woman, a woman who wore
pants ... there were very few restaurants in
the West Village where she was allowed to
eat because a lot of restaurants were: 'No
pants allowed: I would love to see a televi~
sion show like Mad Men with a character
like the real Patricia Highsmith, a writer
who lived in those times:'
She also fancies a lesbian Western series.
"I was a huge fan of Barbara Stanwyck in
The Big Valley. I didn't know why I was
totally drawn to her. I would like to see
gay life in Western times. There's a lot to
explore. I hope to be part of that creation
of our stories:'•
FEATURES/
LAUGHTRA
GETTINGLAUGHS
THE HARDEWAY
MAC
HARDE
BRINGS
HER
POWERFUL
PRESENCE
TOTHEPEOPLE.
BY CLARA BEARD
What's coming up for you this
year?
I want to excite more people. I'm not
going to deny any breathing creature
on this earth the chance to feel the
power of the lez. Onstage, I'll con~
tinuously raise the bar on myself to
be an exciting and unique entertain~
er. I strive to rewire people's minds.
Offstage, you can hear me on Bailey
Jay Radio on the RiotCast Network
and I'll be producing original qual~
ity content consistently at powerlez.com.
How do go about rewiring your audience's minds?
I aim to replace associations people have with things. I make you
rethink what you thought you thought. There are many lesbians
in the world, but only few are power lez, and of these power lez
there can be only one "Most Powerful Lez:' (powerlez.com) •
ac Harde, self-proclaimed "world's most
powerful lez," blew onto the Gulf Coast
comedy scene just a year ago, but the
comic is already making a name for herself
online with an unforgettable presence and
distinctive delivery. The flannel-loving power lezzie is on an
ongoing mission to rewire people's perception of life, identity and
what it means to be a powerful woman, one laugh at a time.
How did you get into the business of making people laugh?
As the most powerful lez, I'm compelled to put my lez power on
display and to share it with the masses. In stand~up comedy, it's
just the perfect situation. There's a stage, there's a microphone and
there's light. It's what's natural for me.
How do you write your material?
I write and tailor my set for the specific audience, but sometimes
the crowd is different than expected and you need to change it up
on the fly. I put on my denim and my flannel, which are excellent
conductors for lez power. I brush that hair back and I get on out
there and I mingle with the people. I enjoy interacting with the
crowd pre~show. It builds anticipation. I love to play shows where
no one has heard of the most powerful lez yet, and I watch as they
all receive that power for the first time.
Do you prep for the stage?
I don't go over my show notes too much, I know what I'm going to
say. Usually, beforehand I'll crack open a bottle of Merlot. If I'm
going to get particularly rowdy, it might be a bottle of Cuervo.
I'll get out there early to hang with my fellow comics. There's a
great bunch down here in the Gulf Coast. It's not only about
getting my lez power out there, it's about spending time with
those in my field.
How do you handle rowdy crowds?
I pride myself on being an exciting comic. I'll break it down to
you like this: I'm not just a female comic and I'm not just a lesbian
comic, I'm the most powerful lez. So when I get up there, and the
crowd knows that the most powerful lez is about to take the stage,
99.9 percent of the time, the crowd is listening in rapt attention to
hear what I have to say.
Who are your creative influences?
I guess my number one influence would be Joey Coco Diaz[and] of course Roseanne and Andrew Dice Clay.
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
33
TURES/
STYLE
Dear Curvettes,
We've had a jam-packed month in London, hardly
enough time for a scone! Rainbow flags in one hand,
our son in the other, singing in unison outside the
Houses of Parliament. Never have we witnessed so
much support, and we've been to a few rallies in our
time! We made the newspapers and TV so we had
one happy little boy. Marriage equality is so close we
can almost taste it...and we're at the start of planning
one of the most amazing days of our lives. We can't
wait to share our journey with you all.
In the meantime, we're best known for
encouraging you to be yourselves through fashion.
For this month's Celebrity issue we're saying that
imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We saw
Pink last month in London and a look-a-like special
was most definitely on the cards but with wearable
and easily created looks that could inspire us all.
In our photo shoot, "Pink," with her rebellious rock
image, teams up with "Blondie" bombshell Debbie
Harry, a pop pioneer with cross-generational appeal.
When it comes to being themselves, these ladies
have it down.
So while we're trying to pin down a single date
to view wedding dresses, a venue, not to mention
drawing up a guest list when most of the traditional
individuals do not approve of our union, we stop
and look at the confidence of our tenacious female
celebrities and imagine walking in their shoes.
Shoes! Haven't even thought of shoes for the
wedding. For two women who mostly live in military
boots, this could well be a military operation.
Until next time,
c;;,te,&t:0
aJ"vcf/_,,,v/f
Y,y:,
"ALOOH-A-LIHE
SPE
CIA_L
BUT
WITH
WEARABLE
LOOKS
THAT
COULD
INSPIRE
USALL:'
/
CHARLY WEARS:
Denim jacket,
Topshop $62
Striped jumper,
River Island $54
ROBYN WEARS:
Stripy skirt,
Topshop $44
T-shirt,
Truffleshuffle $39
Black ankle boots,
Office $78
Black leather gloves,
Topshop $19
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
37
-
WILDFANG
CELEBRATES
TOMBOY
TRAILBLAZERS.
By Rachel Shatto
I
Photography by Liam Gilles
I
Artwork by Matt Jones
ildfang swaggered into the fashion
world earlier this year with their
youthful and cheeky take on
tomboy couture. Kickstarted by
Emma Mcilroy and Julia Parsley, Wildfang turned
heads immediately with their eye-catching video
and photo shoot featuring lezzie faves Megan
Rapinoe, Kate Moennig and Hannah Blilie,
among others, as models. Mcilroy and Parsley
wanted to create a place where fellow wildfangs
(German slang for tomboy) could finally find
clothes like those they had eyed longingly in
the men's department, but that were made to
fit them.
A lot has happened in the short time since
they opened their online store. "We are about
to launch our first-ever store in Portland, Ore.
We also have our first-ever Wildfang clothing
collection. We produced an amazing range of
button ups with a very talented tomboy designer
in Canada, and we think wildfangs are going to
love it," says Mcilroy.
TURES/
STYLE
hile Mcilroy and Parsley have their
eyes fixed firmly on the future
for their ICONS lookbook, their
inspiration was the gender defiant
style icons who first blazed a trail for
the tomboy aesthetic. "We believe tomboy isn't
a trend. We believe the tomboy has always been
with us and always will be. In order to prove our
point, we thought we'd look to all those badass
ladies who've been rocking men's-inspired looks
for decades," explains Mcilroy. "We sat down
and brainstormed the women who'd inspired us,
the women who we wanted to be, growing up.
Then we brought them to life through stunning
40
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
photography and rad items from our collection."
Wildfang icons include silver screen star
(and power lesbian of Tinseltown's golden age)
Marlene Dietrich; androgynous punk provocateur
Patti Smith; and the gender blurring A-lister Tilda
Swinton (channeled by the equally androgynous
Hannah Blilie of Gossip), along with Francoise
Hardy, Gwen Stefani and Diane Keaton-all fierce
tomboys in their own right. "Each of them rocks
the tomboy attitude and the tomboy style,"
says Mcilroy. "They've been stealing their outfits
from the guys for decades and they're all bold,
confident, talented women that you can really
look up to." (wildfang.com)
/'
GWEN
No Permit Needed MuJcle Tank, $34
Slow Your Roll ~atlter Sweats, $398
Stacked ~ BMireepers, $75
Half Digit Walle KIJQ-i-kleRing, $28
Cheers Mo~er F* er Flask, $50
I
"WEBELIEVE
TOMBOY
ISN'T
ATREND.
WEBELIEVE
THE
TOMBOY
HAS
ALWAYS
BEEN
WITH
UBAND
ALWAYS
WILL
BE."
42
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
TILDA
On Your Vest Behavior, $158
Leather Lattice Oxford, $168
Don't Blow it Necklace, $30
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
43
n April 28, 2008, Eudy
Simelane, a midfielder
on the South African national women's soccer team,
was gang-raped, beaten and
stabbed 25 times. The Banyana
Banyana star was an out lesbian and
LGBT community activist in her home, the
township of KwaThema, on the outskirts
of Springs, a city of 200,000 in Gauteng
Province. A memorial bridge built by the
Lesbian and Gay Equality Project, with
the help of 700 volunteers, now marks the
site where her body was found, only a few
hundred yards from her parents' house.
Although dozens of black lesbians have
been similarly targeted and attacked since
her death, there has been no official response
from the South African government or law
enforcement.
The UK-based advocacy group Football
v Homophobia (FvH) hopes to change
that. Early in 2013, in consultation with
South African feminist groups, FvH collected data on homophobic violence and
prepared an infographic designed to engage
and mobilize many international soccer
communities.
"When we think about homophobia
in the sport, we tend to focus on chanting from the fan terraces or on wondering
when a male pro player will come out,"
44
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Megan Worthing-Davies, one of the campaign directors, explains. "But when you
look at what's happening in South Africa,
you see the other end of the continuum of
homophobia, of homophobic violence:'
The FvH team, of which I am a member, was able to confirm over 50 acts of
homophobic violence against LGBT people in South Africa since 2001. Of these, 16
were against lesbian soccer players.
''As a group fighting homophobia in football-soccer, to you (in the United States
and Canada]-we want to make the game
safe for people of all gender expressions;'
adds initiative co-director Lou Englefield.
It's a big task for a group run by just a
few people, in a sport that has a persistent
reputation for homophobia, but what we
discovered was heartening: an unofficial
transnational network of soccer-loving
activists who are using a beautiful game to
change the world.
B
lack lesbians and their bodies have long
been objectified and sensationalized,
Zanele Muholi, an award-winning
South African documentary filmmaker,
told me on a Skype call. She went on to say
that she doesn't want to work with me ifl
will be" writing from the outside:'
She has a valid point, and I'm not sure
how to respond. I'm a white Canadian who
has spent a grand total of six weeks in her
country. But I'm also an activist writer with
access to an international readership.
"If you really want to help lesbian footballers, help get them to matches;' Muholi
says. I don't have the heart to tell her that
Football v Homophobia operates with
no budget. "Connect with 'Foot for Love'
from Paris;' she suggests. "Last year, they
brought several of our players to France
for a tournament:'
Although I've only just learned of
Muholi's documentary work-sensitive
and dignified portraits of black lesbians in
video and in wrenchingly intimate photographs-she knows me.
"I remember you from London;' she says,
and when I admit that I can't place her, she
adds, 'Tm not a footballer. I was the black
woman with the camera:'
Muholi is referring to the 2008
International Gay and Lesbian Football
Association (IGLFA) tournament. Soccer
teams from around the world flew to
England to compete in a sort of LGBT
World Cup. Muholi was there with the
South African lesbian team, The Chosen
Few. As we're talking, I recall one of
their players telling me that some of their
teammates hadn't made it to London. It
was the first time I'd heard the term "corrective rape:'
l
initially learned of Football v Homophobia in 2010, just five years after I
began playing soccer and three years
into my volunteer tenure with an LGBTfriendly city league. Impressed by its
mandate-"to
make football safe for
everyone" -and eager to contribute to a
diversity agenda on the international stage,
I volunteered with the organization, acting
as their North American liaison.
The three years since I began my work
with FvH were significant for rights-aware
fans of the women's game. In 2011, at the
FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany,
Nigerian national team coach Eucharia
Uche sparked controversy after she stated
that she had used religion to rid her team
of homosexuality. During the following
year, midfielder Megan Rapinoe of the
U.S. national women's team came out as a
lesbian, and she was one of over 100 outand-proud athletes at the 2012 Olympics.
And although I didn't know it at the time,
in those three years in South Africa, at
least seven lesbian soccer players were
attacked and raped because of their
sexuality. Two of these women died as a
result of their injuries.
Rape is underreported globally. Stigma,
fear of reprisals, and sexism in law enforcement and the media all contribute to what
many feminists call a "rape culture" -that
is, a culture where sexual violence is prevalent, and where norms and attitudes excuse
or even condone rape. Though South
Africa has some of the most progressive equality laws in the world-it
was
the fifth country globally and the first in
Africa to legalize same-sex marriage-the
relationships between gender, race and class
in a post-apartheid society have fostered an
especially brutal rape culture. In South
Africa, women are raped so frequently
that the country has been called the "rape
capital of the world:'
Eudy Simelane's murder got the attention of the mainstream press, which began
to write about so-called corrective rape, or
the deliberate attack on lesbians or women
perceived to be lesbian with the intention
to punish and "cure" them of their sexuality.
A more accurate term, and one that does
not pathologize lesbianism, is "homophobic rape:•
In South Africa, just as it is in the rest
of the world, soccer is a powerful tool for
personal and community empowerment.
Lesbian players build teams like The
Chosen Few to compete in tournaments at
the local, national and international levels.
But the game is also perceived to be a man's
sport in the country, and female players of
all sexualities transgress gender norms.
0
n February 14, 2013, while people
from around the world gathered,
danced and protested violence against
women and girls as part of the One Billion
Rising movement, Football v Homophobia
released its infographic to the public.
"In much the same way that the global
family of women was connecting that day,
we hoped to connect the football family;'
Worthing- Davies explains.
The response was gratifying, with hundreds of hits coming to the FvH website
within the first few weeks.
Sporting organizations
and media
outlets from Canada, the United States,
and the United Kingdom picked up the
story, driving home the campaign's main
message-that
homophobic rape should
be classified as a hate crime under South
African law-and
sending readers to an
Amnesty International petition calling
for justice for murdered lesbian soccer
player Noxolo Nogwaza, who died on
April 24, 2011.
And, as they hoped, the project got
the attention of the international football
communities. In the days after the infographic was released, Les Degommeusesthe team responsible for the"Foot for Love"
initiative in Paris-contacted
Football v
Homophobia and the groups began strategizing about ways to support members of
The Chosen Few in getting to Belgium to
compete in the 2013 World Outgames in
Antwerp. In May, The Chosen Few received
an Outgames scholarship covering the
team's registration and housing.
On the eve of One Billion Rising, Eve
Ensler, the renowned playwright who
founded the organization, wrote that the
movement ': .. brought together coalitions
of groups and individuals that have never
worked together before, galvanized new
people and groups and associations:' So it
is with soccer.
In remembering my conversation with
Zanele Muholi, and her worry that I might
write this story "from the outside;' I look
back on our multinational effort. If I can't
be on the inside as a black woman, and I
can't be on the inside as a South African, I
can be on the inside as a soccer player. •
LEARN
MORE
AND
ACT
Footballv Homo hobia
footballvhomophobia.com
LulekiSizwe
lulekisizwe.com
➔ Sign
the Amnesty
Internationalpetition
demandingan
investigationinto Noxolo
Nogwaza'smurder at
http://bit.ly/10E19jx
FreeGender
freegender.wordpress.com
➔ Todonate to The
ZaneleMuholi
inkanyiso.org
ChosenFew,contact
project1@few.co.za
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
45
Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele tie the k~
,oHNs
ven though Kelli Carpenter and Anne Steele are high-profile
lesbians (Carpenter, 46, is the co-owner of R Family Vacations;
Steele, 39, is an award-winning singer), they both wanted to
hold their June 1 wedding at home. "We wanted the concept of
home and family to be the central focus of not only our wedding but
our commitment to each other," says Carpenter. Their inspiration was
a Martha Stewart-esque backyard BBQ, and their home, which is in
the village of Chestnut Ridge, NY, was the perfect location. "We had a
picture in our heads of exactly what we wanted, and the wedding not
only met those expectations but went truly beyond."
E
After the couple selected matching rings inspired by Tiffany, they
chose their 11~year~old daughter, Vivi, as their ring bearer. Indeed,
their four children (custody of whom Carpenter shares with her
former wife, Rosie O'Donnell), played central roles in the wedding.
Sons Parker and Blake escorted the brides down the makeshift
aisle. Chelsea, their eldest daughter, read them a letter she had
written for the occasion. "It was so beautiful to have the ones we
love participate in the ceremony;' says Carpenter.
Steele wore a gown of fuchsia; Carpenter's was bright turquoise.
"It feels that our lives, friends and family are full of color and light.
So we decided that each of us would wear a brightly colored dress
and the kids would wear bright colors also:'
The couple chose to divide the
task of celebrant among friends.
The beginning of the ceremony was
led by Cathi Scalise, who has known
Carpenter for over 23 years and has
known Steele as a performer on R
Family Vacations cruises for 10
years. Officiating was the Honorable
Lorna Schofield, a friend of the cou~
ple's who was recently nominated by
President Obama and confirmed by
the Senate as a federal judge.
A big surprise was the absence of a wedding cake. "We had
a candy bar that was adorable;' says Carpenter, but perhaps
the most delightful surprise was how the night's entertainment
unfolded. "The evening continued with toasts from our good
friends Gerri Viant and Nate Buccieri;' says Carpenter. Buccieri,
Steele's musical director, assembled a flash mob that included
all her friends from her regular gig at Brandy's Piano Bar. With
a DJ, dancing and drinking, it was only a matter of time until
someone jumped into the pool. "Finally, our youngest son, Blake,
decided it was time for the two of us to jump in;' says Carpenter.
"So he did a big push and there we were, in the pool with our
dresses on!"•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
47
TURES/ THE
L LIST
OSCAR
WINNER
OLYMPIA
DUKAKIS
ISTHRILLED
WITH
HER
LESBIAN
ROLE
INCLOUDBURST.
BY LAURIE K. SCHENDEN
OLYMPIA
DLJKAKIS
admits she's rebellious. In fact, these days the
popular stage and screen actor sounds a lot like her character in
Cloudburst, a butch lesbian named Stella.
"My career? I'm 82 years old-what do I give a shit about'career;"
wails one of entertainment's grande dames.
Dukakis has had a long and distinguished career, which includes
her Academy Award-winning performance in Moonstruck. But
she is passionate about Cloudburst, an independent lesbian~themed
film that was released on DVD in July.
"There's a scene where you see the price she pays for that rebel~
liousness;' Dukakis says of Stella. "It was shocking to me, shocking.
Because I have that in my own nature, as you can probably tell. I
don't take things-sit down and shut up. What's interesting is that
I saw that, and I saw that in myself'
Dukakis isn't shy about issues close to her heart, or about her
politics. (Her cousin Michael Dukakis is a former governor, and
was the Democratic nominee for president in 1988.)
In Cloudburst, she teams up with fellow Oscar~winner Brenda
Fricker, who plays Dot. Stella and Dot's life commitment is threat~
ened when age and health issues make them vulnerable to outsiders.
Unfortunately, it's an all~too~familiar scenario for LGBT couples.
Stella's outspokenness only gets in the way as she tries to take
control of the life she and Dot have built over 31 years. Dot's grand~
daughter tries to remove Dot from that relationship, and remove
Stella from the home that she and Dot share.
Some Americans might be surprised to learn that federal courts
have often sided with family members over the wishes of gay and
lesbian couples, even if the couple's wishes are stated in a will or a
trust (which is one reason why the Supreme Court ruling on gay
marriage is so important). Cloudburst, based on a play by Thom
Fitzgerald, attracted the two veteran actors because they loved the
script and had both worked with Fitzgerald before.
"We enjoyed working together, and, to tell you the truth;' says
Dukakis sincerely,"! really trust him. He said to me,'The rebellious~
ness and the price [Stella] paid, that's all you, Olympia: I thought,
Yes, he's right, that is. It's the first time I've seen that in mysel£ So it
was an extraordinary experience for me, the whole thing:'
Fitzgerald directed Dukakis in The Event (2003), about New
York's gay population, and in 3 Needles (2005), in which she plays a
nun dealing with the spread of HIV/ AIDS in Africa. In Cloudburst,
Stella dresses in flannel and speaks her often~dirty mind. But she's
attentive and loving to Dot, her blind, more timid life~partner.
Stella springs Dot from an old~folks facility, and they hightail
it to Canada to get married. They pick up a young hitchhiker
(Ryan Doucette) who, disowned by his own family, becomes a
co~conspirator,friend and ultimately chosen family.
The script has some sad and disturbing moments and many
hilarious ones. One of Stella's stories is brash enough to get her
kicked out of a man's car. (He assuming she is a helpless old lady, a
persona she pulls off using a headscarf as a prop).
In another scene, Stella explains her "last meal" in graphic
terms-i£ hypothetically, she found herself on death row. That
fantasy involves k.d. lang (whose music is also heard in the film),
so I asked Dukakis if she'd ever heard from lang about their "meal"
together. Dukakis said she had not. But they did meet once.
"I actually went up to her in a restaurant in L.A.;' she recalls. "I
saw her sitting at a table with somebody. I so admired her singing.
I went up and introduced mysel£ And she was very nice and polite,
but I was obviously interrupting a romantic interlude there, so I
didn't stay too long:'
Dukakis isn't happy that Cloudburst isn't getting theatrical distri~
bution in the U.S. "You can't get a film like Cloudburst in theaters in
the United States? Look, this is the country we're living in, you can't
get that film distributedt she says with indignation. "It played for
10 weeks in Toronto!"
Dukakis has loved the story from the start. "I thought it was a
love story. I liked this character. I liked the genuineness, her willing~
ness to confront things, and I was moved by the price she paid for
how she wanted to live and what she had to do:'
She had no problem with Stella's colorful vocabulary, which goes
from the S~word to the F~word to the C~word. "I had a great time
doing it, I loved doing it;' she says. "I've done a lot of things that
were about nothing. Just to have a good time, whatever, just making
a buck. But I also make sure I do parts that are about something:'
This film, she says proudly, is "about something;' as evidenced by
the feedback she's gotten."It means a great deal to me that it's affect~
ed people;' she says. It reminds her of the groundbreaking 1990s
PBS series Tales of the City, in which she plays a male~to~female
transgender character.
"I had a similar experience then. It does matter to me-a lot;'
she says. "Especially the younger women, the lesbian women, the
understanding of what came before them and how women were
treated, and how they had to live, how they had to hide:' Dukakis
even sent the script to lesbian friends her own age who had expe~
rienced rejection from their families and "lived their whole life
without talking about it .... Not that, that doesn't happen today, it
does, but then it happened much more, much more:'
She has no fear that playing a rude and crude lesbian will tarnish
her good name. "I stopped worrying about my career when I was
60 or something;' she says. "We joke about it, my husband and I.
Was this is a good career move? People talk about careers going up
and down, mine just moves to the side. I go here, then I go do this.
Then I had three kids, you know? My career is a part of my life, it
wasn't my life:'•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
49
on't let conventional wisdom fool you into think~
ing that because she grew up in Spanish Harlem,
Monifah Carter's only route to prominence was
the music scene. Her mother enrolled her in Monica May's Children's
Acting Academy when she was 7, and as a 9~year~old she was doing
Shakespeare off~Broadway. In May, Carter told the Advocate,''I'm not
just a recording artist, not just an R&B singer. I'm grateful for my
mom in culturing me and showing me that there was more than the
four corners of the street we lived on:'
So Carter was not an ingenue when she did actually burst onto
the music scene, in 1996. Under the tutelage of the late Heavy
D, she released "I Miss You (Come Back Home)" from her debut
album, Moods ... Moments. The album rose to No. 6 on the U.S.
R&B charts. Two additional albums followed, Mo'hogany in 1998,
which went gold, and Home in 2000. However, when Home didn't
sell as well as her previous albums had, Carter was dropped from
her label, and subsequently she disappeared from the limelight.
A decade later, Carter is back and fiercer than ever. Not only is
the songstress starring in the hit reality series R&B Divas, she has
come out as a lesbian.
On R&B Divas, Carter stars alongside Faith Evans, Nicci Gilbert,
SyleenaJohnson, and KeKe Wyatt (Angie Stone and LaTocha Scott
joined the cast in season two). In the first season, the women came
together to create a tribute album to the late Whitney Houston, and
season two sees them exploring the possibility of a tour. In addition to
their musical collaboration, the series follows the cast through many
personal and professional challenges and triumphs, and of course it
features plenty of interpersonal drama, as well. Amid all the conflict,
Carter is often the peacemaker and the voice of reason in the group,
a role that she would be the first to say was hard~won, and achieved
only through years of struggle and personal growth. "The reason I did
[R&B Divas] was to show by example. People can be like, 'OK, wow,
and now I have to live my best life, and live it right:"
Along with revealing her sexuality to millions of TV viewers,
Carter also revealed that during her absence from public life she
struggled with-and
ultimately conquered-a
seven~year addiction
to cocaine. Today, she is in a much better place. Both her career and
her personal life are back on track. "I have had so much support, it
has been so amazing. And to have the opportunity to share my truth
and give that kind of support, everything is just turning full circle;'
says Carter.
While many queer celebrities still feel the need to remain dos~
eted, Carter has never really had to do that. "I never lived on the
down~low;' she says. She began dating women at about the same time
that she released her first hit song, and has never hidden her relation~
ships. Her integrity has paid off, and today she is happily engaged to
her beautiful partner, Terez (who proposed to a tearful Carter in the
season two finale).
"My relationship is real. You have to teach people how to treat
you. Especially in the reality~TV game;' says Carter. She understands
what her image means and what she conveys through the use of it:
Whether the conversation is about her personal life or her profes~
sion, she refuses to be exploited. She is in a unique position and she
understands that. "I have a testimony that needs to come out of me:'
R&BDIVAS
STAR
MONIFAH
CARTER
ONREALITY
TVAND
LIVING
OPENLY.
BY LANIAYA ALESIA HOOFATT
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
51
n the series about a not-so-distant post-Apocalyptic
world full of aliens and humans trying to live together,
Jaime Murray brings to life the gorgeous Castithan
Stahma Tarr, a sexy and smart alien with long silky
white hair, lilac eyes and a chalky complexion. She
is also one half of a newly-emerging bisexual power
couple on the show with Mia Kirshner's sultry Kenya
Rosewood, the proprietress of border town Defiance's brothel, as
her other hal£
Murray is no stranger to queer roles, having played gay in
Spartacus and Warehouse 13. She has become a lesbian favorite,
and after a recent chat, I can tell you there are some very real reasons for it. She is devastatingly charming, smart, engaging, funny
and genuine. And she loves her lesbian fans. "Lesbians are pretty
badass;' she says. While talking about queer fans she's met on
Twitter and at Comic-Con she adds, "They are everything I love
in women-interesting,
snarky and ironic:'
The British beauty didn't always want to be an actor."! wanted
to be prime minister or a nurse when I grew up;' she says.
Her father, however, was a thespian, and Murray recalls
being cast in a school play as Mary Magdalene. At
first she was "over the moon" thinking she was
playing the Virgin Mary, only to be disappointed
when she found out she wasn't. When she went
home her mother told her "it sounds like a
much better role to me;' and it was.
Murray's been riding that wave ever
since giving into the acting bug. ''I've always played highly sexualized women;'
she notes. She also has a history of playing very complicated women, whether
that's H.G Wells on Warehouse 13 or
Defiance's Stahma Tarr-and
it's
something she's really enjoyed. "I
love playing strong, powerful, interesting women who go their own
way;' she says, adding "and if that is
the energy I'm putting out, I'm
really happy with that:'
When she's not acting, modeling or giving interviews she is crafty.
JAIME
MURRAY
ISIRRESISTIBLE
INSYFY'S
DEFIANCE.
BY DAR DOWLING
You might find her redesigning a room, cutting up her clothing to
make something new or creating a piece of art, although she may
also be at a music festival or two since she is a big music fan.
Look for Murray in Defiance, which she's filming in Toronto, a
city she's come to love-so much so that she actually gives me tips
on Toronto Gay Pride and where to eat. And speaking of delicious,
Murray will also be playing a vampire, no doubt a hot vampire, in
Fright Night 2, out just in time for Halloween.
M
BLE
COURTNEY
TROUBLE
SERVES
UPFAT-POSITIVE
FEMINIST
PORN.
BY ADAM L. BRINKLOW
Q
ueer porn icon Courtney Trouble promises she's
not trying to step on our toes with the title of
her latest project. "My big thing this year is called
Lesbian Curves;'Trouble says."! did think of Curve when I
bought the domain name ... but that's not why I did it:'
While Trouble's new endeavor isn't by Curve, it's definitely
for us. "Lesbian Curves is lesbian~identified porn with real
queer performers of all body types. It's not gay~for~pay;this
is the stuff that really goes on in people's bedrooms, and it's
a world we almost never get to see onscreen:'Trouble plans
to release four Lesbian Curves DVDs by the end of the
year and the series is already an award winner just from the
first volume, so clearly she's doing right by our namesake.
The Oakland~based Trouble shot her first photograph
at the age of 9, a picture of her father doing a handstand
outside the Kmart where he bought the camera for hershe still has it. Once she came of age she began doing nude
portraits and self portraits, and finally came the fateful day
in 2005 when she noticed the video button on her digi~
tal camera. "The universe was basically asking me to shoot
video porn, at that point;' she says.
The resulting video was a big hit. In fact, so is most of
Trouble's work; she's been a winner at the Feminist Porn
Awards five years running. Trouble's films are without a
doubt explicit, but they're also intimate, sincere, iconoclas~
tic and above all, genuinely queer.
She seems like a complicated woman if we judge from
the sheer volume of relevant labels. She's a self~described
"genderqueer fat feminist femme switch slutty monoga~
mist:' That's a lot to fit on a resume, but since Trouble tends
to create most of her job opportunities herself out of thin
air she probably doesn't need to trot out her full credentials
too often.
Of course, not everyone appreciates the Courtney
Trouble oeuvre. "Stigma comes from a lot of angles;' she
says. "From being queer, being plus size, being in porn, be~
ing the partner of a trans man. I once heard a drag queen
say that the key to getting by when you leave the house
everyday is to just pretend that nobody hates you until they
do something. That's how I approach ir:'
Despite her wild public image, behind the scenes
Trouble is a homebody at heart. "My persona is this
shameless party slur;' she jokes. "But these days I'm so~
ber and I'm not the mess I used to be. I really don't get
out that much:' Unless there's a camera running, then it's
lights, camera and ready for hot lezzie action.
LIJ
~
~
<
:i:
Q.
0
en
A
COUPLE
OFKNOCKOUTS
N
atalia Leite and Alexandra Roxo could not have picked
a more appropriate moniker for their new production
company, Knockout Pictures. Not only are they incredibly talented filmmakers-between
them they have written,
produced and directed; worked on narrative, documentary and
short films and promotional videos for fashion designers-but
they are a couple of knockouts themselves. The duo partnered up
with the intention of releasing female-driven, sexually progressive
and really funny material, and they're already making waves with
their web series, Be Here Now-ish.
Be Here Now-ish follows Sam and Nina (played, of course, by
Leite and Roxo) on a spiritual journey-slash-road trip from New
York City to Los Angeles. Also starring in the series is Karley
Sciortino from Vice magazine's online video series, Slutever.
"We decided to make this show because, well, for one, we really
like to have fun, and mostly because we really felt that there aren't
enough shows right now that reflect our lives and our community;'
says Leite. The hallmarks of the community they create onscreen
include New Agey solutions to life problems, sexual fluidity and
NATALIA
LEITE
AND
ALEXANDRA
ROXO
ARE
HERE
AND
QUEER
NOW.
BY ELIZABETH
ESTOCHEN
an abundance of awkward humor. "We are interested in creating
queer characters that are not the stereotypes weve seen on television over and over again. I mean, my character, for example, is
kind of a player, but she's not at all the typical sexy dangerous
butch-type. She's actually a little awkward, and maybe that makes
her more endearing:' Roxo adds, "Our characters are strugglingtrying to makes ends meet, do things they love, find a sense of
spirituality, and date in a new dating climate where lots of things
are changing."
Leite and Roxo hope to reach a broad audience with their
work. 'Tm more interested in speaking to a larger community
beyond the queer world, but with stories that reflect the LGBT
community;' says Leite."! don't want my films to just preach to the
converted. So we try to create stories that are accessible to a larger
audience and don't get pigeonholed:'
In addition to Be Here Now-ish, the two are taking on some
hybrid performance-documentary
films. "We just want to keep
making original new work that can be viewed by a large audience, and give voice to people and ideas we feel aren't represented
enough in media;' says Roxo. "We both have feature films in the
making and another TV series in development, and we plan on
continuing to work together as we grow:'
CURVE JUST
GOT COOLER.
VIDEO+ANIMATION+
ADVANCED NAVIGATION ...
YOU*LL WANT TO TOUCH.
I often overlook the fact that I need
·nspiration behind my work-why
·ect of my photography and why I
photograph them e way that I do. In a conversation I
had with a friend no ong ago, she put it into words in a
J.;.::::::===~~:!!!~!:!I~~:!!::!'!!\'erfectly.
We are close in age but
in life. A couple of years ago
• she had previously led, there
was nothing that she ha
id no to. Partying, drinking,
1 of it in excess. Anything
drugs, promiscuity-and
she desired, she consumed. he had lost herself in the
constant pursuit of satisfyi those desires, and thus
turned to God. She told me tH my own"manifestation
oflust" was expressed through my photography. All my
desires, vanities, obsessions, demons-everything
is
revealed in these pictures.
I've been taking pictures since the early 1980s,
photographing my nieces and nephews as they grew
up. I'm primarily selftaught. In the late '80s and early
'90s, I documented the Los Angeles underground
techno-house club and party scene through a fanzine I
published called Sensured. During the late '90s, I had
a membership-based website called Power Divas that
featured my photos of female bodybuilders. I launched
my erotic photography website, Vixen Obscura, in
A LIMITED AND 2000. Since then I've been published in several books,
NUMBERED including Taschen's The New Erotic Photography,
FlRSTEDITION Edition Skylight's Shaven or Unshaven, and Robinson
OF VIXEN Publishing's The Mammoth Book of Erotic Women
in Photographs. In 2008, I was included in German
OBSCURA
Playboy's The ABC's of Erotic Photography, special
FEATURING
edition. I've also been featured in numerous online
120 PAGESOF
galleries as well a few group photography shows.
COLOR AND
The majority of my photographs are in color, shot
B&W IMAGES mainly with film, but I also work with digital. I still
IS AVAILABLE shoot with my first camera, a Minolta X-370, 35mm.
FOR $30 AT Quite often, I get asked about my lighting. I don't use
VIXENOBSCURA.COM
strobes, flash or a light meter. I shoot with one "hot"
tungsten light and available light (daylight, fluorescent,
etc.). I don't utilize Photoshop or any other computer
program as a creative tool.
My models are a mix of strippers, porn stars, fetish
and fashion models, and women I've met in nightclubs
and online. Most of my photo shoots have taken place
at my friend's studio in East L.A. The studio is a virtual playground of themed constructed sets filled with
found objects. I don't put much thought into either the
backdrops or the settings. I like to keep that at a subconscious level. But I have noticed that there are a few
reoccurring themes in my photos.
I'm not worried about being seen as objectifying
women. I'm also not trying to make any type of feminist
statement. I don't concern myself with how my work is
perceived. I would rather not put a name to it and allow
the viewer to have a purely visceral experience.
The "male gaze" has been so prevalent and is
thus inescapable. The gaze of the "other" hasn't had
the opportunity to evolve independently-although,
with the increasing popularity of photo biogs I have
noticed a difference in the type of images of women
that cis-males post, as opposed to lesbians and genderdiverse individuals. •
A TROUPEOF ARTIST-ACTIVISTS
DEVELOPA NEW BRANDOF HERSTORY.
BY DAR DOWLING
T
Heels on Wheels Glitter Roadshow is a breathtaking
ormance-driven spectacle-femme power on steroids. I loved
minute of my inaugural experience, and not just for the reayou might naturally assume (although they definitely come
play, too). While the troupe is loaded with gorgeous, obscenely
ted, feminine women who kept me enthralled and entertained
at eir performance, they also made me think, and in the end I left
fee • g better about living in my own skin.
usic, performance art, comedy and dance are all part of the
wil ride I went on once the lights went down in Brooklyn on the
64
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
final night of the troupe's 2013 cross-country tour.
Early in the evening, Bevin Branlandingham, a local performer
with the blog A Queer Fat Femme Guide to Life, came out (with
mini cupcakes to give away to a lucky few) and shared intimate
personal truths about her body and her life, encouraging us to be
who we are.
Shomi Noise, who is fun and sassy, serious and intense, took us
on her journey from childhood, which she spent navigating the U.S.
and Bolivia, to adulthood, when she came out as queer-a process
that began when she saw strong women in the queer community
owning and loving their femme identity. For Noise, being a femme
goes beyond what she wears and how she looks."It's about embracing
femininity, and being subversive about it;' she says.
Damien Luxe's powerful and aerobically charged piece, aptly
titled Exorcise, uses an intricate mix of"satire and spandex" not just
to entertain the audience-spectacularly-but
to create a world
where being physically strong isn't butch or masculine, it just is.
"Muscles have no gender ... these are not butch muscles!" she tells
the audience, acknowledging her strength in a room full of appre~
ciative butches. In Exorcise, Luxe showcases her love of tight, bright
spandex while putting her own deft, feminist, satirical spin on exer~
cise and self help videos.
The Heels on Wheels troupe makes the political personal in
a way that extends the critique of old~school feminists-after
a
performance in Oakland, a member of the audience told Luxe:
"This show saved my life:' It touched on a topic she was struggling
with-how to live in her body. It's one of the things that make this
show, and the women in it, so special. While entertaining us, these
femmes talk about the issues that they, and many of us, struggle
with every day: poverty, racism, body image, misogyny, trauma and
more. "The show has given me a sense of belonging that I haven't
felt before in the queer community;' says Noise.
The DIY ethic of the collective-which extends to the tech and
sound crews, the roadies and drivers, and the stage manager-began
when Heels on Wheels founders Heather Acs and Luxe struck up
a friendship and became "partners in action:' In 2010, this dynamic
duo put out the word that they wanted to take a femme~powered
show on the road. Loading up the van with smart, talented, pas~
sionate women, they drove from N.Y.C. to Austin, discovering
along the way "that special kind of magic that happens during live
performances;' says Acs, of turning their dream into a reality. That
same magic happened again this year when they took the show up
the West Coast and into Canada, finally wrapping up with two sue~
cessful shows back in Brooklyn.
If you missed the tour or the summer performances in N.Y.C.
don't panic. Heels on Wheels will be heading out again next year,
with their rotating roster of fierce femme glitterati. We can't wait to
see what they'll do next. (heelsonwheelsroadshow.com) •
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
65
Before long, Carmouche was hooked. She knew that when
she got out of the military she wanted to pursue a career as a
professional MMA fighter. That day came in 2010, when she
was honorably discharged from the military and joined the
San Diego Combat Academy for MMA training.
There, she hooked up with Manolo Hernandez, her trainer
and sparring partner. "I met Liz at the tail end of her Marine
career;' says Hernandez."She came and told me she wanted to
fight, so that week I had her sparring. She was a natural. Five
months later, she turned pro:'
Carmouche's first experience of training in the ring with
male professional MMA fighters was unlike anything she'd
dealt with before. She admits that it was the first time she
"had my butt handed to me:'
"The first week as a professional, they bloodied my nose!"
says Carmouche. "I was bruised from head to toe. I looked
like a rotten banana. But I loved it. I was meant to do it:'
Carmouche has come a long way since that first week in
the ring. Today, she is one of the top women fighters in the
UFC. She gets up at 7 a.m. to train, six days a week, in a gru~
eling regimen that includes boxing, kickboxing, wrestling and
jujitsu classes. Along with morning roadwork, sprints, swim~
ming and whatever else Coach Hernandez has planned.
During sparring practice, Carmouche goes at it 100 per~
cent, fighting with the men. And these days, it's usually the
men who end up black and blue. "Nobody takes Liz lightly;'
said Hernandez. "She's sent plenty of guys to the hospital.
Including me. She's sent me to the chiropractor, she's moved
my ribs around, hurt my back. I've been injured by her a
lot, and I weigh 300 pounds. She's just 135 pounds! She's
a wolverine:'
A wolverine who spends a lot of time in the gym.
It was during her days at the Combat Academy that Carmouche
managed to catch the eye of Elisa Lopez, a young boxing student
who was also training there. "I saw her from a distance;' said
Lopez. "There weren't a lot of women taking MMA classes-it
was pretty much just her. So I would sit around wrapping my
hands, seeing what everyone was doing. Then I saw her. And I was
like, 'Who is this girl?'"
Contrary to her aggressive persona in the ring, Carmouche is
rather shy anywhere else. So is Lopez. Thus, it took a little
strategy to get the girls together."We were both really shy people.
So we were very passive with each other;' recalls Lopez. "One time,
I found out I was sitting next to her gym bag. So when I realized
it was hers, I made it a point to always sit next to it, in case I could
68
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
talk to her. I kind of got in her way!"
Eventually, Carmouche and Lopez became Facebook friends,
and the rest is history.
They have been together for three years now and are the proud
parents of Elvis and Yume, a bull terrier and a cat. On their
Sundays off, they go to the beach and soak up the sun.
Still, they spend most of their time together working out in
the gym. Occasionally, Carmouche and Lopez will hop in the ring
together to spar for a few rounds, making for some interesting
girlfriend moments.
At 6 feet tall, Lopez, who is 6 inches taller than Carmouche,
would normally have the advantage. Fortunately for Lopez,
Carmouche would rather make her laugh than put her in a sig~
nature Girl~Rilla chokehold. "For some reason, she loves to hear
me laugh. So she'll go out of her way to try and make me smile;'
said Lopez.
FEATURES/
COVERST
I WASBRUISED
Content in her personal life, Carmouche ramped up her training to compete full-time in MMA. She had a dream. She wanted
to compete in the first-ever UFC women's fight. But that seemed
a near impossibility.
In 2011, UFC president Dana White stated on the record that
there would never be a women's MMA fight in the UFC. "The
thought of it was just a dream, like going to the moon or the
deepest part of the ocean;' says Carmouche. "But I had to try:'
Soon she drew the attention of world-class managers who
sought to represent her, including MC Hammer. Yes, the MC
Hammer. His management company now represents several
UFC fighters, both male and female, including Carmouche.
"I have to give credit to my partner, Lex McMahon. He is the
one who first started talking about this young woman with a
ton of talent and personality, and this compelling story of being
a Marine;' says Hammer. "When I met with her, she was an
I LOOKED
LIKE
A
ROTTEN
BANANA.
BUTI LOVED
IT.
I WASMEANT
TODOIT.
-
-
'
~-
..
......
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
69
TUREStCOVER
STORY
t HE'SFOLLOWING
INTHE
FOOTSTEPS
OFBILLIE
JEANKING.
ASA HECK
OFA FIGHTER.
YESSHE'S
A LESBIAN
AND
extremely focused and impressive individual:'
He describes meeting her for the first time and within minutes
seeing "strength in her eyes:' He instantly knew she was a good
person, and someone they wanted to represent. "Believe me, living
your life in the public eye isn't always easy. But she handles every~
thing with such love and grace. We are thrilled to have her:'
As she was competing in professional bouts, Carmouche made
sure to have a rainbow somewhere near her at every event. Whether
it was with a rainbow bracelet or a rainbow mouth~guard, she
wanted to represent the LGBT community, making it a point to
be out and visible, a luxury she could never afford during all those
years she was closeted in the military.
Thanks to her positive message and her dominance in the ring,
Carmouche grew a fan base affectionately referred to by her man~
ager as her Lizbos. Those Lizbos soon began a Twitter campaign
aimed at UFC president Dana White, demanding that Carmouche
be given a shot at the UFC tide.
Then one day a call came in that would change the trajectory
of her career forever. Hernandez got a call from the Strikeforce
matchmaker saying, "Hey, is your girl ready for a big opportu~
nity? We want her to fight for the UFC World
Championship:'
It just so happened to be Valentine's Day,
and Carmouche and Lopez were indulging in
a very rare 'cheat meal" of steak and cake when
Hernandez rang her on her cell. When she heard
the news, Carmouche took a few last bites of cake
and went back into training that very night.
This past February, Carmouche made history.
Fighting hometown favorite Ronda "Rowdy"
Rousey, Liz Carmouche became the first openly
gay woman to battle for the UFC Championship
in the first~ever women's UFC title fight in
the Octagon.
Her dreams were coming true.
Carmouche didn't win that night. She was
defeated by Rousey's signature "armbar" move,
despite almost pulling off a major upset in the
SHE'S
ALREADY
GOING
DOWN
IN UFCHISTORY
ASA TRAILBLAZER,
A GREAT
ATHLETE
FIRS1.I
PROUD
OFIT BUTSHE'S
first round. After the fight, she received a standing ovation for her
incredible performance.
Hammer had this to say about that night: "She's following in the
footsteps of Billie Jean King. She's already going down in UFC
history as a trailblazer, as a heck of a fighter. Yes, she's a lesbian and
proud of it ... but she's a great athlete first. She almost beat Ronda.
We're going to help her get the right fights to ensure she's in a
position for a rematch soon:'
With the sting of her loss still fresh, Carmouche is training harder
than ever to get another shot at the title.
And what does the UFC's Dana White have to say about
Carmouche these days? "I hate using this word, because she's a
grown woman and I'm not her dad. But I am proud of her;' says
White. "I am proud we have her representing our company and our
sport. She is an amazing athlete and a fighter-she almost caught
Ronda in one of the best title fights of 2013. She's got this awesome
personality, too. I can't say enough good things about Liz:' He adds,
"We have over 240 athletes in the UFC. I bet we have more gay
fighters, and I hope they come out, too:'
As for Carmouche, she is only focused on the task at hand. "I
love fighting for the UFC, but for now I will focus on the next
woman in front of me-and I will finish the fight:'•
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
71
TURES/
TRAVEL
It terrified me, which is exactly why I wanted to
go. When I was a kid I was scared of anything
that was fast or high or unpredictable, but as
an adult I got tired of being a benchwarmer.
Slowly but surely I began to take on all the
things I imagined I never could do.
One of those things was rock climbing.
I was at Miraval for my 40th birthday. It's a luxury resort and spa
in Tucson. But it's also home to an outdoor adventure course that
challenges people to get out of their heads and into their bodies. So,
I shimmied up the telephone pole and jumped off the platform,
traversed the log and made my way along the tightrope, as directed.
And you know what? I didn't die. Or even hurt mysel£ for that
matter. I was secure and safe, and once I convinced my mind of
that, my body followed suit, and I quickly developed agility and
balance. On the next to last day of my visit, I signed up for the
climbing wall.
Standing at the bottom, I wondered what I was thinking and
why I hadn't signed up for a spa treatment instead. But my instructor,
Matt Walker, the author of Adventure in Everythingand the founder
oflnner Passage (innerpassage.net), assured me that I could do it
and that he would be right there with me every step of the way. So
up I went.
When I got stuck, Matt talked me through it, telling me how to
look for hand- or footholds and how to trust mysel£ Before I knew
it, I'd made it to the top, and after I rappelled back down, Matt
suggested I come along on one of his climbing trips.
"Real rocks?" I said.
"Real rocks;' he said.
"You think I can do it?"
"I wouldn't have asked you ifl didn't:'
So I said yes and a few months later I geared up, packed my
backpack and flew to Palm Springs, where I spent one night at the
fancy Parker Palm Springs Hotel and giggled as the austere bellman
hoisted my pack over his shoulder.
The next morning, I met the woman who would be my climbing
partner and we drove out to the rocks in Joshua Tree National
Park. Every mile left me more and more anxious. I didn't even like
to hike. What was I thinking? What if I fell? Or got stuck on the
rocks? Or freaked out?
There was no backing out now, so I employed the one method I
knew how to use in these situations: Fake it until you make it.
As we prepped for our first short climb, Matt teased me about
his gear envy, and I felt great about coming so well prepared. Matt
taught us how to tie a figure eight knot and run a safety check. He
showed me how to wrap my hands with tape. That made me feel
totally hardcore, which, it turns out, was exactly what he'd had
in mind.
Then, suddenly, I was up on the rock and I was doing it. I was
really doing it. I was climbing. It was hard and scary, but I was
doing it!
When I got to the top, I cried. Years of the activities I'd missed
out on flashed through my mind, but I commanded them to stop.
They weren't going to do me any good up here, and there was a lot
more to conquer.
We set up camp and Matt cooked us dinner before we headed to
our tents for an early lights-out. Tomorrow was going to be a very
big day. I had trouble sleeping that night-partly because it was
cold, but mostly because I was nervous. I began to wonder once
again what on earth I was doing there.
But when the sun came up and the smell of bacon made its way
to my tent, I knew it was time to do what I had come there for. So I
packed up my daypack and went to join the gang. It was a nice hike
in to our climb, and when we got there I felt nervous and ready.
My partner and I took turns climbing and belaying. Each climb
was a challenge. Each climb had its tricky spots. Each climb left me
breathless and, yes, teary-eyed. But each time I got stuck-mentally
or physically, or both-my trainer was there to talk me through it.
And I did it. I got back to camp that night elated and exhausted.
We climbed again the next day. With each climb getting progressively harder, my body and my brain were growing weary. That
afternoon, I chose not to do the last climb. I had started to stumble
and trip just hiking through the rocks at the base. Something told
me another climb would be too much. Plus, I wanted to end on a
good note. I still wonder if that was a good idea.
All around me, the scenery was overwhelming, like something
out of a Dr. Seuss book. I felt humble and amazed at being able
to see those grand sights and climb those rocks. The dirty fingernails and bloody knuckles and knees that got me there seemed like
badges of honor.
I am so proud of myself for facing my fears on that trip. But I
think about that last climb sometimes, and I know I need to go
back again. That might not have been the right day. But I know that
another one will be. •
SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
73
TURES/
TRAVEL
It might seem unlikely that an 1889
schoolhouse could make you feel like an
A--lister,but that's exactly what hap_pens
when you stay at the Washington School
House Hotel in Park City, Utah. This
immaculately restored slice of Americana,
perched just above Park City's picturesque
Main Street, keeps everything that is fine
about its former incarnation as a pillar of
frontier education-the steeply gabled roof
with bell tower, the luminous limestone
exterior, the soaring 16--foot ceilings, the
virginal white walls, polished timoer floors
and stairways, and the welcoming fireplace
all speak of America's solid, pioneering
past. Add to those classic elements modern
luxuries such as finely upholstered furniture,
well--padded beds, marble bathrooms,
contemporary artworks and an outdoor
pool with a brazier made from a torch from
the 2002 Winter Olym2ics (after all, these
accommodations stnve 1or the best), and
you have a luxury inn fit for a celebrity.
And they have stayed here, especially when the Sundance Film
Festival is in full swing. The 12~room boutique hotel and its staff
know how to make movie stars and ordinary folks feel right at
home- I was made to feel much more privileged than I ever have
anywhere else. The staff at the Washington School House are all
very attentive-not
to mention young, healthy and impossibly
good looking, which makes sense since they've been taking in the
pristine alpine air and eating the locally grown and mostly organic
food from the hotel's kitchen. Here's a tip: Always have the freshly
cooked breakfast-it's
simply delicious-and
never miss the
afternoon apres ski, served fireside, with gourmet morsels and
complementary cocktails.
I came to Park City in February to experience Elevation (utah~
gayski.com), the LGBT winter party, and to learn how to ski, which
is something I have been avoiding for most of my life. Both experi~
ences proved delightful. Get a group of girls together for next year's
Elevation, Feb. 20-23, 2014, because you will have a blast in a
charming city that boasts picture~postcard scenery as well as some
of the country's finest powder-to ski in.
Deer Valley (deervalley.com) is a great place to ski, no matter
what your skill level. The instructors are friendly and dedicated,
and in one brief session I went from being a complete novice to
74
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
someone who could stand, walk, turn and glide down a slope with~
out falling down-not bad for a girl from the Outback. And don't
worry about bringing your own bulky ski and snowboard equip~
ment. The knowledgeable, encouraging folks at Skis on the Run
(skisontherun.com) will come to your hotel and prepare you to hit
the slopes in perfect comfort, even down to your socks, Chapstick
and suntan lotion.
Park City has lots of good dining options, which is helpful if you
need to fuel up for, or reward yourself after, a day on the slopes. I
simply relished the contemporary flair of Silver at 508 Main Street
(silverrestaurant.com). The up~market atmosphere and menu
impressed me, and while the restaurant dishes up solid yet adven~
turous fare, the bar attracts quite a beautiful crowd, so be sure to
linger or drop by for a perfectly crafted cocktail.
For something more down~home, try the No Name Saloon
(nonamesaloon.net) with its Wild West atmosphere and outrageously
good buffalo burgers. There are many places to go in Park City for a
nightcap, but I often found myself drifting back to that welcoming
fireplace at the Washington School House. A winner of Travel +
Leisure's 2012 It List, the hotel is an inviting and luxurious place to
come home to-and an easy place to reach, just 45 minutes from
Salt Lake International Airport. (washingtonschoolhouse.com) •
T
DUATE
TURES/
TRAVEL
MIAMI
VICE
When you think of Miami, I'll bet you're
picturing the endless stretch of white sand
on the coast of South Florida where the rich
and beautiful sun themselves by day and party
into the night. Downtown Miami, however,
with its thriving business center, luxury
high--rises and glamorous port, is not to be
overlooked and has a vibe of its own.
The Viceroy Miami Hotel and Resort, situated on picturesque
Biscayne Bay, makes an opulent base camp for your celebrity~
inspired sojourn. The Viceroy's outrageous, outsize and yet tasteful
decor, masterminded by design guru Kelly Wearstler, sets the tone.
And while your intention may be to set right out exploring your
vibey neighborhood-it
is sometimes referred to as the Capital of
Latin America-you may find yourself a little bit reluctant to leave
the resort, such is the appeal of its attractions.
The guestrooms, with their contemporary Asian~inspired furni~
ture and fixtures, make guests feel exotic and elite, but don't tarry
too long-all the Viceroy's spa and recreational amenities await.
Knock back a pick~me~up espresso in the elegantly white Cafe Icon
before heading out to laze by the epic three~section pool. In the
pool area, Wearstler has played with scale, and, inspired by Alice in
Wonderland,she's made sure that not even the monumental Miami
skyline could outshine her design project.
Dinner at Eos Restaurant is a must, although it's difficult to
know where to look: at the view from the 15th floor; the dramatic
and sexy interior, also designed by Wearstler; or the artful plating of
the Mediterranean~inspired food. Whichever it is, unless your date
gets her glamour on, she might be overlooked.
After dinner, head upstairs to FIFTY Ultra Lounge, which is,
of course, 50 stories up. Open Thursday through Saturday nights,
this stunning nightclub with its VIP vibe, outdoor pool, expansive
terrace and 360~degree view is the best of Miami. If you're lucky,
you might even rub elbows with some celebrities. When I visited in
March for the Winter Party Festival (which benefits the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force and several Miami LGBT nonprofits),
the stunningly beautiful Jessica Clark, star of True Blood and for~
mer Curve cover girl, was hosting Her Winter Party there.
To extend your visual pleasure beyond the Viceroy, take a stroll
through Miami's nearby Design District (miamidesigndistrict.net),
an inspiring playground for aesthetes and acquirers of fine
things. Once a derelict and dangerous industrial area, it is now a
wonderland of modern art and innovative design.
There are too many fine art galleries, gift stores and restaurants
to list here, so just take your time and explore. I can recommend
the Wynwood Art Walk, where you can feast your eyes on vibrant
graffiti~inspired murals in this emerging arts community, and
then tuck into some equally artistic nosh at Wynwood Kitchen
& Bar, where the Latin~inspired small plates-and
the restau~
rant's hip decor-are
marvelous creations in and of themselves.
(viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/Miami)
•
76
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
V •ISi·t. -• Sweden
www.visitsweden.com
~
Stockholm
The Capitalof Scandinavia
Im
Scandinavian
Airlines
STAR
CROSSED
You've seen every
episode of The L Word,
your iPod is packed with
songs by everyone from
Melissa Etheridge to
Tegan and Sara, you have
a lifetime subscription to
Curve and you regularly
clean up at your local
lezzie pub trivia night.
Now it's time to put your
pop culture knowledge
to the test with our
celesbian crossword.
ACROSS
38. Samantha was Lindsay's _
1. Actor who is the voice
of Dory in Finding Nemo
7. "Ima Be Me" comic, Wanda
39. Lesbos is one
40. Suzanne Westenhoefer
description
10. Like a
to a flame
11 After The Fire writer, Jane
12 Event announcer
13. 4 Non Blondes singer, Perry
43. Political humorist, Kate
46. White House wife
15. Comics cry
16. Travel
17.Writer of one of the earlier
coming out stories, Q.E.D.
18. America's Queen of Comedy
on Time's 1977 cover (first name)
19. Rejection word
20. Lesbian rights activist,
when repeated
21. Breaking Silence album singer,
Janis
22. Eventually (2 words)
25. Not Tegan or Sara, but
possible future mayor of NYC.
27. Indigo Girls singer,_
Ray
31. Champion of lesbian literature,
Barbara
33. Writer of Fried Green
Tomatoes at the Whistle
Stop Cafe
34. Tastes good I
35. Much-decorated lobe
37. Virtual opinion
15. Means inside at the beginning
of a word
20. Diamond, for example
21. Fashionable
23. Not that either
24. Dick Cheney's daughter
48. The Beebo Brinko Chronicles
first name
49. Wire service
50. She'll help you with your
finances, Suze
26. Living legend in the swim
world, Diana
51. Cherry Jones won one for her
role in 24
52. Australian model and MTV VJ
Ruby_
31. Chitchat
32. Wedding words
33. "Touch Me (I Want Your
Body)" singer, Samantha_
DOWN
1.Ally McBeal star, Portia _
2. Cohost and executive
producer of The Talk, Sara _
3. Room writer, first name
4. "30
"show
5. Lovable alien
6. Foxfire star, Jenny_
7. First female astronaut, first
name
8. All-time tennis great
9. The L Word actor, Daniela _
14.
Mccaul, actor who starred
in thelrish version of Fawlty
Towers
28. Thanksgiving veggie
29. Long time periods
30. "It'sMy Party"singer,Lesley _
36. Lets
38. For example, abbr.
40.Succeeded
41. Chef and TV personality,_
Burrell
42. First gay comic to appear
on The Arsenio Hall Show,
DeLaria
43. "I'm the One that I Want"
comic, Margaret_
44Schoolofthought
45. Beachgoer's goal
46. Tree
47. Spring month
MARKIT
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Honeymoons
and Romantic Getaways
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SEPTEMBER
2013
CURVE
79
TLOOKtSTARS
Fallingfor Autumn
With Mars in generous Leo and Venus in passionate Scorpio, things
aren't cooling down any time soon. evCHARLENE
ucHTENSTEIN
VIRGO %
%
%
Because Virgo rules %
%
the sixth house of the %
day-to-day Job, health %
issues and pets, %
%
Sapphic Virgins are %
happiest in careers %
%
that enable them to %
deal with the nitty %
gritty details whether %
%
it's in accounting %
or nursing They %
%
are meticulous, %
independent workers %
who are detail- %
%
oriented and very %
neat and clean. These %
%
gals can handle the %
repetitive tasks better %
%
than most women. In %
a very strange way, it %
gives her a sense of %
%
accomplishment%
it's measurable and %
%
quantifiable, after all %
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Charlene
Lichtenstein
istheauthor%
of HerScopes:
A Guide
to Astrology%
forLesbians
(Simon
& Schuster)-%
%
tinyur/.
com/HerScopes.
%
(Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Nowavailable
asanebook.~
80
CURVE
SEPTEMBER
2013
Virgo (Aug. 24-Sept. 23)
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20)
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Clean out your closet, Virgo. It
is time to sweep out your old
moldy baggage and anything
else that has been holding you
back from success. Not only
do you feel liberated, you will
also be able to focus on future
plans and aspirations. What is it
that you have always wanted to
accomplish? The sky is the limit
but time is a-wasting!
Feisty Capricorns are on fire!
Use September to expand
your circle of girlfriends. You
will be given the opportunity
to join some exclusive groups
or clubs. But even as you enter
a new rarefied level of connections, don't forget your
longtime bosom buddies who
will love you no matter what.
Those Sapphic Bulls who are
in a relationship can enjoy it
to the utmost. And you can
feather your love nest with
great home decorating ideas
to make a comfortable home
even better. For those who are
seeking the perfect woman, it
is an excellent time to expand
your field of vision.
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
You dress to impress this
September and it pays off,
especially on the job. Instead
of wearing jeans to work, try
something a little more corporate. It may open a door to
advancement. Nurture oneon-one relationships and see
if you can add a little extra
oomph where and when it
is needed.
Turn up the heat at work with
a few well-chosen diplomatic
words. Colleagues will sit up
and take notice and give you
support. Lucky Geminis get
anything they want by just
asking. So will it be for a raise?
More vacation? A larger office?
There may even be a little
spark of flirtation in the air
around the water cooler.
Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20)
Your energy level hits a high
and you feel like you could
take on the world. So do
so. Channel some of that
amazing power into a global
enterprise or some incredibly
interesting foreign lady who
leads you to new experiences.
There will be something (or
someone) powerful and
compelling who piques
your interest.
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
Libra (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
Your social calendar fills to
overflowing this September
as gal pals want to get into
your act. They have some very
creative fun ideas to share.
Let them take charge and see
where all their plans lead you.
Chances are, though, that the
cost of your fun times will
exceed your budget. Don't save
all your pennies for a rainy day.
Sometime you have to make a
big splash.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)
Ambitious Scorpios make
great inroads into their careers
this September. Maybe that
is because you have found an
ingenious way to harness your
considerable charm and direct
it into the most opportune projects at work. Pour your personal
oil on a few corporate cogs and
see if you can accelerate your
professional machine.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 22)
You are an adventurer at heart
with an almost insatiable
appetite for travel and exotic
experiences. So why are you
still hanging around the neighborhood? September is a time
for expansion, a lust for life and
spicy antics from around the
world. Mystery, love, enlightenment awaits you.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Good times become great
times for lambda Rams
searching for a lusty lady.
You have your choice of lovergrrls all through September
but be careful to balance all
your many conquests. There
may be too many hotties to
handle at one time. You don't
want to get your hand caught
in the nookie jar by some
jealous cupcake.
A fool and her money are soon
parted. But it will certainly
be fun! So why not be a little
foolish this September and
enjoy your gotten gains with
a certain you-know-who or
someone-to-be-named-later?
Money will make any fun event
an unforgettable bash. And it
will also stir up your imagination for any creative enterprise
or work of art.
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
Your charisma hits a high this
September and the fates conspire to push you out into the
epicenter of the social scene.
And yet, there is something
nice about staying close to
home and spending your time
cuddling and cocooning. Can
you hit the party scene and
still be home for dinner,
Lioness? I guess it depends
on what's cooking. •
mc.c.-I- Iis-l-c.t""".
get you rs today.
curvemag.com
Want to see your pet here? We'd love to meet them, too.
Visit curvemag.com/satisfied for details.
~BEST
"' "'
PLACES TO WORK
2013 for LGBT Equality
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