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Description
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ToC Covet: Erika Lust's Kick-Ass Undies Will Empower You (p13); Vocation: Meet the Woman Behind the Martial Arts Inspired Fitness (p16); Style: A Revolution in Menswear by Gender-Queer Women (p26); Style Icons: West Coast Wellbeing and Health With Sand Spa (p35); Food Revolution: A Taste of jen Biesty's Mediterranean Fusion (p40); Cover: Why We Love Everything The Cate Blanchett Does (p62)
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issue
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2A
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Date Issued
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Spring 2018
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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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MASTHEAD
CURVE
LIVING
TRUE
Spring2018 » volume28 number 2
Publisher Silke Bader
Founding Publisher Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Merryn Johns
Senior Copy Editor Katherine Wright
Contributing Editors Victoria A. Brownworth, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo,
Janelle and Melany Joy Beck, Gillian Kendall, Dave Steinfeld
Editorial Assistants Gemma Dart
OPERATIONS
Director of Operations Jeannie Sotheran
PROOFING
Proofreader Melanie Barker
ADVERTISING
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Email todd@curvemagazine.com
ART/PRODUCTION
Art Director Bruno Cesar Guimaraes
COVER
Cover Image of Cate Blanchett from Kathryn Del Barton's film "RED"
Photo Credit: Mark Rogers/ Aquarius Films
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Gemma Dart
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melanie Barker, Chloe Curran, Amy Deneson, Erika Feinman, Merryn Johns,
Sassafras Lowrey, Jennifer McDowell, Dave Steinfeld, Lisa Tedesco
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS& PHOTOGRAPHERS
Indu Antony, Grace Chu, Shelby Coley, Sheryl Kay,
Syd London, B. Proud, Robin Roemer, Mark Rogers, Jay Sullivan
CONTACT
Curve Magazine
PO Box 1099
Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia
Phone (415) 871-0569
Subscription Inquiries (800) 705-0070 (toll-free in US only)
Advertising Email todd@curvemagazine.com
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Letters to the Editor Email letters@curvemagazine.com
Volume 28 Issue 2 Curve (ISSN !087-867X) is published 4 times per year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by Avalon
Media, LLC, PO 1099 Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia. Subscription price: $35/year, $49 Canadian (U.S. funds
only) and $75 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
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4 CURVE
SPRING
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Covet: Erika Lust's
Kick-Ass Undies Will
Empower You.
Give yourself some undercover pussy
power with this bold new line of sex-positive, feminist-inspired intimates.
Vocation: Meet the
Woman Behind Martial
Arts Inspired Fitness.
Fitness instructor Mo Yvonne has taken
her martial arts background and applied
it to everyday fitness goals.
Style: A Revolution in
Menswear by GenderQueer Women.
Indie label Krammer & Stoudt opened
New York Men's Fashion Week with a
cast of all women models, making a mark
on the fashion industry.
6 CURVE
I
SPRING
Cover: Why We Love
Everything That Cate
Blanchett Does.
Food Revolution: A
Taste of Jen Biesty's
Mediterranean Fusion.
The A-list, Oscar-winning actor claimed
a permanent place in our hearts with the
film Carol, but we love her for plenty of
other reasons, too.
Style Icons: West Coast
Wellbeing and Health
With Sand Spa.
The out Oakland Top Chef alum is a
working parent and a culinary visionary, delighting locals with her restaurant,
Shakewell.
Owned by a millennial lesbian couple,
Sand Spa is the perfect way to remind
you to take care of yourself-and
meet
some #CoupleGoals.
SPRING
I
CURVE 7
OUR TEAM
Contributors
AnitaDolce
Vita
Menswear Trends
Gillian
Kendall
ErikaFeinman
Lesbian Elder Care
Lesbian Community
Jennifer
McDowell
Travel with Olivia
AnitaDolceVita
GillianKendall
Anita is the owner and creative director of dapperQ,
Gillian is an American-Australian writer who has lived
a queer style and empowerment online magazine for
in five countries and eight states. She writes travel,
masculine-presenting women and trans-identified indi-
nonfiction, fiction, essays, and memoirs. She has writ-
viduals. dapperQ was among the first digital spaces to
ten a number of books, and contributed to numerous
champion "menswear" for those under-servedby main-
publications including The Sun, Curvemagazine, and
stream media and designers. Anita's fashion shows
CurveMag.com where her column Long-Lived Les-
and writing have been featured in VanityFair,the New
bians focuses on the achievements and challenges
YorkTimes,Vice, HBO,TeenVogue,Harper'sBazaar,New
of older lesbians.
YorkMagazine,Nylon,and many more.
ErikaFeinman
JenniferMcDowell
Erika is a Program & Research Assistant at the
Jennifer is an avid traveler and a former Olivia Trav-
Center for the Study of Social Policy at the George
el staff member. During her tenure with Olivia she
Washington University from which she earned a
enjoyed over 80 trips and visited more than 50
bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies and Political
countries.
Science. She won the 2017 Olivia Scholartrip essay
member or leader, Jen has always appreciated the
writing competition with her entry on the subject
sense of freedom and community that traveling with
of the importance of businesses that focus on the
Olivia provides. When not traveling the world, she
lesbian community.
resides in San Francisco.
8 CURVE
I
SPRING
Whether traveling
as a guest, staff
WELCOME
Editorial
Newbeginnings,
a
freshapproach,
and
inspiring
ideasto
sustain
usforthe
restoftheyear.
pring is the perfect time for new beginnings, a
Editorin Chief
S
fresh approach, and inspiring ideas to sustain us
for the rest of the year. And so we're very pleased
Merryn Johns
to present the official relaunch issue of Curve! We hope
you enjoy the new look-and
the new quality-which
makes reading the magazine in print even more enjoyable
than it was before.
We couldn't think of a better person to grace our cover
this issue than Cate Blanchett, star of our favorite lesbian
movie, Carol. Plus, we have interviews with rising songstress Lauren Ruth Ward, the legendary Nona Hendryx,
and insight from out political analyst Masha Gessen.
We also focus on fitness, well-being, interior design, and
style-and we welcome travel partner Olivia to share their
upcoming vacations and adventures with us. Enjoy!
merryn@curvemag.com
41y
SPRING
I
CURVE 9
WOMEN WE LOVE
10 CURVE
I sPRING
WOMEN WE LOVE
Rapsody
WhereShe's
From
stage alongside soul diva Aretha Frank-
Snow Hill, North Carolina. From her hum-
lin, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, and
ble beginnings as Marianna Evans and
Terri Lyne Carrington in honor of the late
part of rap collective Kooley High, to
Prince.
now being recognized by the Recording
Academy, Rapsody's rise to major player
MusicWith aMessage
as a hip-hop artist is spectacular.
"I want to be an artist that shows women
that they do have a choice to be respect-
WhyShe's
Getting
Raves
ed for their talent alone and not because
The double Grammy nominee garnered
of looks or gender:' she says. "The only
acclaim with her solo album Latia's Wis-
thing that matters is that you are dope."
dom, about love, resilience and female
Her message resonates in a cultural cli-
heavy-
mate where MeToo and Black Lives Mat-
Kendrick Lamar. Awarded not
ter are reshaping women's power in soci-
one but two Grammy nominations for
ety. Rapsody continues to break barriers
Laila's Wisdom, and the other for her sin-
and her rise is inspiration for female em-
gle, "Sassy." Rapsody joins an elite cat-
cees who haven't had the same opportu-
egory of only four other female emcees
nities as their male counterparts.
empowerment,
weight
featuring
rap
including Missy Elliott, Eve, Nicki Minaj
and Iggy Azalea, who have each earned
What'sNext
a solo album nomination for Best Rap
Rapsody is confirmed to take center
Album (since the academy added the
stage at Club Skirts Dinah Shore Week-
category in 1996).
end (March 28-April 2, 2018). The break-
HighNotes
the main stage at Sunday's hugely popu-
Along with an exclusive group of artists,
lar all-day event held at The Hilton Hotel
out star will be closing the festival on
Rapsody had the privilege to be invit-
in downtown Palm Springs. Catch her
ed to the White House by former Presi-
while you can!
dent Barack Obama, and she joined jazz
great Herbie Hancock to perform at the
International Jazz Fest. She graced the
thedinah.com
SPRING
I
CURVE 11
COVET I MAKEUP
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started as a desire to create a better
social environment for my little girl," he
says. RealHer's newest launch includes
a Metallic Liquid Lipstick in three inspiring shades, Be You, Be Bold and Be
Brave, and the Blush Kit, Be Fearless,
Be Limitless.
realher.com
12 CURVE
I
SPRING
COVET I INTI MATES
Nasty women rejoice! These undies aim
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thePussy
to reverse the way the word "pussy" has
been appropriated by men and turn it
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14 CURVE
I
SPRING
TRENDS
I
LIQUOR
Revolutionar
Spirit
y
From the heart of the agave to the center of the resistance.
exico's
finest
beverage
Betty Who performed, which was just
is making a stand for the
incredible. There was so much love
she says. "We describe it as a mouth-
LGBTQ community.
llegal
and support for the organization, and
ful of agave with a hint of smoke. You
Mezcal, an artisanal brand, is bigger
thoughtful words spoken about the
can really taste the time it takes to pro-
than simply a shot of hard liquor to get
brutal political climate'.'
duce llegal Mezcal. Our commitment to
M
Sip, shoot, drink it however you like;'
the party started. It also offers com-
Rexer's spirit of resistance is strong.
sustainability and working with produc-
munity, activism and events, and has
"I'm quite proud of our campaign
ers who have been making mezcal for
attracted a loyal following of artists,
against Donald Trump-llegal's
generations is a clear part of the expe-
musicians, writers and travelers, many
ald Eres Un Pendejo" (Donald Is An
of whom are LGBTQ. The company's
Asshole) campaign will be one of the
So if you feel frustrated by Trump's
headquarters are a stone's throw from
most epic stories of my professional
treatment of women, give him the mid-
the historic Stonewall Inn. As well
career'.'The street campaign was de-
dle finger the next time you go to a bar.
as organizing events and supporting
signed on the spot and the llegal crew
Rexer recommends a cold beer and a
Pride, The Trevor Project and the Mag-
had it up on the streets of New York
shot of llegal Joven to get started. And
ic City Acceptance Center in Alabama
within 48 hours of Trump announcing
get llegal's events on your radar. "We'll
for LGBTQ youth, llegal has launched
his run for the presidency. "We put it
continue the "DonaldEres Un Pendejo"
inspired attacks on the Trump adminis-
out there because we felt like we had
campaign for as long as we need. We're
tration and other right-wing forces, such
to say something and respond to the
also working on an immigration dinner
as Chik-fil-A. It donates portions of mer-
horrible things he said. It is now an
series as well as movie and mezcal
chandising proceeds to select charities.
international, viral campaign that was
gatherings;' says Rexer.
Kaylan Rexer, llegal's brand director
awarded the Gold Honor Shorty Award
and a self-described "troublemaker,' is
for Brand Identity. We've also raised
"Don-
an out activist, and the niece of llegal
a lot of money for various charities
Mezcal owner John Rexer. As a teen
through the campaign;' says Rexer.
she traveled to Guatemala where she
"Knowing I work with a brand that is
"played music, tasted mezcal and fell
not afraid to make a statement is an
in love with the group of creatives who
incredible feeling-and it's fantastic to
were drawn to llegal'.' She eventually
have that statement align so closely
joined the business and now oversees
with my own political leanings'.'
llegal's design and marketing, helping to
build community around the brand.
"I'm
personally passionate
about
rience'.'
ilegalmezcal.com
If you know tequila but are new to
mezcal, Rexer breaks it down for you.
"Both mezcal and tequila are agave
supporting LGBTQ initiatives and re-
based (although different species of
productive rights;' says Rexer,who has
agave) so they are similar. But tequila
helped organize a Planned Parenthood
is generally cooked in a more indus-
benefit concert series, as well as an an-
trial way these days, while the beauty
nual Pride Party which raises money for
of mezcal is its artisanal production
LGBTQinitiatives each year. "We raised
process. It is truly handmade, which
over $15,000 for Planned Parenthood.
gives it a rustic and beautiful flavor.
SPRING
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CURVE 15
FITNESS I IN HER OWN WORDS
T
he gym is my home. I first
down on it. I just knew two things: I
picked up weights when I was
love training, and it helps people.
12 years old, when my karate
One of the kung fu styles that I
teacher took me to Harbor Fitness in
practice is ving tsun. It is the only
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. By 14, I'd bought
martial art that was developed by a
weights and created a gym at home.
woman. She was a Shaolin nun, and
At 16, I started working for Harbor Fit-
created this close combat style as a
ness so I could get a free gym mem-
means of self-defense for young girls.
bership. Regardless of what I was
The most famous figure in ving tsun
going through in life, from my teens to
is Bruce Lee, who learned it from his
adulthood, I've always had the gym as
sifu (kung fu teacher), Ip Man. Though
my mental home base. The moment
I think all women should learn ving
I touch a dumbbell, it's the start of an
tsun, I think it is just one of the two
emotional meditation, and my body
martial arts that women should prac-
feels loved and cared for.
tice to improve their health. The other
I identifyas a butch lesbian.I am
is tai chi. It is extremely powerful when
single, and looking for a monogamous
done correctly. It is more than the slow
relationship with a partner who can
moving you see at the park; it can be
balance my energy but share a similar
very dynamic. Your qi (or vital force)
foundation. As a kung fu martial artist,
becomes very strong, and will carry
I think in terms of energy balance, even
over and give you energy throughout
in romantic relationships. I hope to find
your day.
someone who has opposite strengths
My philosophyis to do whatworks.
and weaknesses; however, I want us to
There have been so many fads since I
share similar morals and values.
first entered the gym 18 years ago. Ev-
I was workingon a degreein exer-
eryone is different-so the best way to
cise scienceat the University of San
achieve fitness might be different for
Francisco when I gave up my schol-
each of my clients. If something isn't
arship, due to the school's Don't Ask,
working, I change it. I re-evaluate the
Don't Tell policy. I didn't have much of
baseline requirements for what we're
a plan; I just knew that I couldn't live in
targeting and form a new program.
an environment that put me back in the
Staying open-minded to different fit-
closet. I'd only come out a few months
ness ideologies has made my work
before. One day I thought I was going
with clients effective because I'm not
to be a soldier; the next day I was look-
afraid to throw out a program and try
ing for a job to repay the scholarship
other things. My clients appreciate
money. Training was the only thing that
that I'm willing to journey with them
felt natural. I used to teach karate and
to see how the workouts and diets are
train friends just for fun, so I became a
changing them.
professional trainer even though most
Obesityratesare higherin the les-
people who cared about me looked
bian communitythan in any other
16
CURVE
I sPRI NG
FITNESS I IN HER OWN WORDS
group.Though I believe in loving your
body and not having to hold yourself
to ridiculous media standards, I also
believe that we need to have healthy
baselines to prevent illnesses such as
diabetes and heart disease. I started
working out as a kid to feel strong,
because it made me feel good-not to
look hot or to get girls. I think we need
to redirect our attitude toward fitness,
and see the need to work out as a way
to live happier and healthier lives. Fitness is something that you do for you,
not for anyone else.
I treatmy clientsthe waymy martial
artsteacherstreatedme. I see personal training as more than just a one-hour
session, more than just a financial
transaction. I am here for my clients
because I understand that they take
care of me as well, and not just monetarily. I know fitness is for a lifetime,
and I am not afraid to refer them out to
other trainers, or to other forms of fitness training. I think I understand what
I can do to help them-and I love them
enough to make sure they get their
needs met. That's what sets me apart
from other trainers. I know my clients
appreciate that I am quick to refer them
to a sports medicine specialist instead
of just guessing about what is causing
their pain, or to a marathon running
coach instead of pretending that I am
the best coach for that specific goal.
In the end, I know that as long as I do
my job well, and I care about my clients
more than I care about money, I will
have a successful career.
movewithmo.com
18
CURVE
I sPRI NG
SHOPPING
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--------------------------------------~--------------------------------------SPRING
I
CURVE
19
RANT
I ELDERCARE
Lesbian
Caregiving
20
CURVE
I
SPRING
I ELDERCARE
RANT
even years ago, at age 50,
gle, was peace of mind, though I
I moved from Melbourne,
paid a high price for it. Because of
Australia, to a small island
my efforts, both my parents could
off Florida, where my mother and
stay in their home until the end of
father lived. Full of confidence, I
their lives. Each of them died in a
said, ''I'm going to take care of my
hospice, but until that time they
parents;' sure that I was doing the
were right where they wanted to
right thing, and that doing the right
be, in the house they'd lived in for
S
thing would be rewarding and sat-
20 years, because I provided for
isfying.
them. I found, hired, and managed
Acting out of love, I was willing
to make sacrifices-my
Australia;
home in
my challenging,
caregivers for several years. By the
end of my mother's life (she died a
fasci-
year after my father), I was running
nating work as a parliamentary
two households, mine and hers,
reporter; my income. But I had no
and hiring, firing, scheduling, and
idea, then, how much more I would
managing more than six employ-
have to give up. Over the next sev-
ees. I rarely had a day off, let alone
en years, I broke up with my part-
a vacation. I was on call, and was
ner of 13 years, damaged the good
called, 24 hours a day.
relationships I'd had with my sib-
In my suffering, struggle, and
lings, and gave up all my free time.
confusion, and in my feelings of
I spent all the money I'd saved, as
helplessness and loneliness, I was
well as all the money I earned in
not unusual. Millions of Americans
those seven years. I suffered from
are caregivers, and the majority of
loneliness;
those are women. According to the
itating,
insomnia;
nerve-wracking
and debilpanic at-
2015 statistics
from the National
tacks. In the last years before my
Alliance for Caregiving and AARP,
mother died, I cried not just every
some 34.2 million Americans had
day but many times a day: Often,
provided care to elderly persons
I not only fell asleep crying but
(over 50) without
woke up crying.
My physical health suffered too:
compensation
in the previous year, and some 9
percent of those caregivers were
I suffered from plantar fasciitis
LGBT. So that's approximately
in both feet and lost the ability to
million queers whose lives, rela-
walk without pain. Because I so of-
tionships, homes, jobs, and plans
ten cooked for and ate with my par-
for the future were disrupted or
ents, I stopped being a vegetarian,
destroyed by the monumental task
and I put on 25 pounds.
of caregiving-a
What I gained, after all that strug-
3
difficult and dan-
gerous undertaking for which there
SPRING
I
CURVE 21
RANT
I ELDERCARE
is no training, no preparation, and
him. Though the move came at
PTSD (post-traumatic
usually very little
considerable
order)."
support.
No
personal
expense
stress dis-
wonder I went mad.
and inconvenience, Jensen says,
I myself have somehow sur-
Was it worth it?
"It's an honor to take care of my
vived the death of my parents, but
Yes, according to Valerie Perry,
dad. He's my buddy."
with difficulty.
Shortly after my
of Valrico, Fla., who was her moth-
About being a lesbian caregiver,
mother's funeral, I lost a life-long
er's caregiver until early 2018. "It
Jensen says, "Often we [gay peo-
lover to cancer; after that loss, I
comes as a big surprise for a lot
ple] have more bandwidth to help
was paralyzed for a long time. It
of people my age (63 when she
older family members-some of us
took three months before I could
started], who have no clue about
are single and don't have children,
get through an afternoon without
how much work is involved, or
for instance." While her father was
having to go back to bed and cry.
how to look after an elderly per-
in a rehab facility, Jensen visited
It was six months before I experi-
son. I didn't have a clue, even
him daily, and often took him out
enced a single day without a sig-
about who to call first. Even peo-
for entertainment or on errands. "I
nificant breakdown. And it took
ple who have been mothers don't
took him to vote, even though he
nine months before I could decide
know. I'd been a mother, so I knew
voted for someone I abhor, Trump.
on a plan of action for getting on
about sacrifice, being on call at
He had the right to do it, and I was
with my life.
all times, but I didn't know how
glad to support my father."
to take care of an elderly person.
In November 2017, I started an
Jensen has enjoyed spending
is now
eight-month course at a massage
With a child, you can plan on it.
time with her father-who
You've got at least nine months to
doing very well, and once again
decision I've ever made, not to
get your life in order." But the on-
living at home-but
mention a very expensive one, but
set of caregiving is often sudden,
ing has been challenging.
"For
it has been the right one. I once
says caregiv-
school. It was the most difficult
sometimes because of an emer-
me, the hardest part has been liv-
again have a reason to get out
gency. Still, despite the difficulty,
ing with my mom, and feeling at
of bed in the morning. I'm bliss-
Perry says, "I am eternally grate-
times that she's treating me like a
ful that I am not responsible for
ful for the opportunity and know
kid again." Living once again un-
anyone else's meals, doctor's ap-
it has prepared me for my own ag-
der her parents' roof,and by their
pointments,
ing. Sharing those last years with
rules, has put additional pressure
happiness.
her was a gift."
on Jensen at an already difficult
Mo Jensen, a 45-year-old lesbi-
time, but she feels she's made the
house-cleaning,
or
And about those 25 pounds I
lost-no
coincidence,
I started
an writer, moved from North Car-
right decision. "I'm grateful for ev-
dating again. I've been amazed
olina to Washington state during
ery day I have with him-even if he
that I can again enjoy romance
her separation from her partner
did vote for Trump!"
and intimacy.
of 10 years. Her divorce coincid-
It's delightful
to
Valerie Perry lost her mother
be with someone and not be the
ed with the alarming discovery
early in 2018, but says she is far
caregiver but an equal partner in
that her father had an inoperable
from recovered. "It takes a lot lon-
a give-and-take of care and en-
brain tumor, and Jensen made the
ger than a few months to get over
joyment. Once again, I am acting
cross-country
it. For me, there are elements of
out of love.
22
CURVE
move to be with
I
SPRING
RANT I ELDERCARE
AreYouA Caregiver?
Here's
Some
Advice
0
There
isnorightwaytocareforan
elderly
person.
help so that I could take care of myself. I
could barely ever take even one day off! I
Sure, there are some obvious guidelines
became annoyed at everyone who cheer-
(no abuse of the person you're caring for,
fully dispensed such advice.
no abuse of substances, no self-harm), but
One night I found solace in a dream in
no one can tell you the best way to help
friend to be
which a voice told me that if I "courted
happy and safe. Hire caregivers? Ask for
joy," I might find some, but if I didn't even
help from family? Do it all yourself? Live
try, I would have none. After that, I started
with your loved one, or live alone? Keep
to seek out opportunities
your day job, or give it up? People will try
joined a 12-step program and a church; I
to tell you, but I found that to answer these
went to the beach more often; I adopted a
your mother/father/elderly
for happiness: I
questions I had to listen to my own heart
cat. What I did not do: drink, take drugs,
and conscience.
have mindless sex. Your mileage may vary,
but most caregivers need something to
0
It'sOK
tobeangry,
andtobereadyfor
thedeathofthepersonyou'retaking
careof..
help them cope and endure.
0
It doesn'tlastforever.
It was years before I could admit, to a
The worst part of my struggle was not
trusted counselor, that I wanted my par-
knowing when-or
ents to die. It wasn't, I explained, that I
After I'd been caring for my parents for
wanted them to suffer. I just wanted my life
five or six years, I began to fear that
back. My counselor told me that such feel-
they were immortal. But they weren't.
ings were extremely common, and nothing
At the six-and-a-half
even if-it
would end.
year mark, my
to be ashamed of. I also became familiar
mother passed away, leaving me with
with another term, "anticipatory grief;' or
just the "business" of death to deal
mourning that begins before a death.
with. Nothing in my life will ever be as
hard as the last year of her life was, be-
0
Findwhatevergoodyoucan.
"Take care of yourself;'
the
cause now I never again have to worry
people
about her. Now, the only caretaking I
around me kept saying, with the best in-
have to do is for myself-and
tentions, but virtually no one offered to
pretty good job.
I'm doing a
SPRING
I
CURVE 23
COMMUNITY
24 CURVE
I
SPRING
COMMUNITY
Lesbian
Spaces
AreNotJustaPhase
But do we love our community enough to save it?
ErikaFeinman
P
hase 1 was the nation's old-
Miley Cyrus and other LGBTQ+women
in the same way older generations did.
est lesbian bar and the last
gracing our screens. We grew up with
This is also a business opportunity to
remaining lesbian bar in Wash-
Human Rights Campaign stickers on
reinvigorate a consumer base that has
ington, D.C. It closed its doors for good
our laptops and listening to Katy Per-
not yet been tapped into. Businesses
in the winter of 2016 and, unfortunate-
ry's "I Kissed a Girl:' This is not to say
hoping to engage with a lesbian con-
ly, this happened well before I turned
that we do not have a long way to go
sumer base need to craft a compelling,
21. The closing of Phase 1 was cer-
to advance the rights of the LGBTQ+
fresh narrative that appeals to today's
tainly sad for many people my age, but
community, because we do and I do
lesbian community. This new narrative
it did not leave a hole in our hearts or
not want to downplay how much work
needs to successfully demonstrate
in our social calendars the way it likely
we have left. However, previous gener-
why they need lesbian businesses and
did for older lesbians. It would be near
ations made great strides that led us
why they should support them. While
impossible to miss something we nev-
to where we are today, which is with
this will certainly be challenging, there
er got to experience. Last year, I took a
a significantly
exist significant opportunities to revive
more mainstreamed
class in lesbian history, which focused
LGBTQ+ movement. In other words,
on some of the history of lesbian busi-
lesbians often do not feel that they
nesses and communities. I started to
need businesses
notice when lesbian businesses con-
meet their needs.
that
specifically
the lesbian consumer base.
As lesbians feel more included, it
becomes increasingly challenging to
show why they still need businesses
that cater to them. One successful
tinued to close down across the nation
This is both a challenge and an oppor-
and realized that Phase 1 was not shut
tunity for businesses seeking to serve
example is the HER dating app. HER
down by mere coincidence. Lesbian
today's lesbian community. The chal-
fits the needs of younger lesbians be-
businesses, bars, cafes, and book-
lenge is that younger lesbians do not
cause apps like Tinder are known for
stores are closing all over the coun-
have a cultural understanding of why
not being friendly to lesbian/queer
try. Phase 1 was collateral damage in
lesbian businesses are important to
women. Another example is Subaru.
support. As the people who pioneered
When Subaru targeted the lesbian
What I've learned is that the millenni-
these businesses grow older, they are
market, their sales soared. By identi-
what appears to be a national trend.
al generation has little to no apprecia-
struggling to engage younger lesbian
fying where lesbians are excluded and
tion of lesbian spaces or businesses
consumers because there is a cultural
creating a new space for them, and
and thus does not feel inclined to
divide. Businesses hoping to serve the
by utilizing a well-crafted narrative to
support them. I believe that this is the
lesbian community need new tactics
drive the demand of lesbian consum-
result of the fact that most people in
to engage the growing demographic
ers, businesses today can better serve
my generation never felt the need for
of younger lesbians. The challenge
the lesbian community.
these businesses in the way older
is finding a way to make these busi-
generations did. My generation grew
nesses relevant to lesbians who do
Thisessaywonthe 2017 Olivia
up with Ellen, Laverne Cox, Lady Gaga,
not feel that they need these spaces
ScholartripAward.
SPRING
I
CURVE 25
STYLE
26
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLE
Girls
Will
BeBoys
Krammer & Stoudt opened
New York Men's Fashion Week
with all-women models.
Anita DolceVita
Despite fashion and marketing being
primarily geared toward women, and
women comprising the majority of the
consumer base, women are the least
represented in the actual business of
fashion, from designer representation
at Fashion Week to leadership roles at
top design houses. Fashion is a boys'
club-yet another club that tells women
what is beautiful and how we should
express ourselves.
In response to America's latest
"menswear renaissance;' New York
added a separate Men's Fashion Week
in line with their London, Milan, and
Paris counterparts. However,this move
has been viewed by some who are less
concerned with markets and more concerned with equality as contributing to
rigid gender binaries.
Through fashion shows, editorials,
and opinion pieces, queer style platforms like dapperQ and Qwear have
long amplified the voices and bodies
of those who are leveraging fashion
SPRING
I
CURVE 27
STYLE
as radical resistance against gendered
clothing, with the knowledge that freedom of expression through personal
style comes with emancipatory potential that extends far beyond LGBTQAI+
communities and beyond fashion.
lndie label Krammer & Stoudt opened
February 2018 New York Men's Fashion
Week with a cast of all women models,
making a mark on the fashion industry
that is not often seen outside queer
spaces. Mike Rubin and Courtenay
Nearburg, the married couple behind
Krammer & Stoudt, enlisted Jahn Hall, a
New York City photographer, stylist, and
casting director, to scout models for the
show. Hall was able to land some prominent queer women models, including
Rain Dove, Merika Palmiste, and Madison Paige to name a few. Hall, aware
that queer style magazines and production companies have been styling and
featuring models across a wide gender
spectrum in clothing that best affirms
their identity, reached out to dapperQ
for casting recommendations. dapperQ
attended the show and was inspired to
see that women of all sexual orientations were taking over a space that is
traditionally reserved for men.
Krammer & Stoudt want their clothing to be without restrictions based
on sexual orientation or gender. Take
a look at some of the incredible looks
from their collection.
Photos: Michael Mendoza
Boots: pskaufman.com
Hats: esenshal.com
krammer-stoudt.com
28
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLE
SPRING
I
CURVE 29
STYLE
30
CURVE
I
SPRING
SPRING
I
CURVE 31
STYLEICON
auren Ruth Ward oozes cool.
ably say that what has happened is
with them for a new promotional
From her vibrantly
what I wanted to have happen. I am
series highlighting different artists,
one of the lucky ones;' she says.
she was thrilled to be the first one
L
colored
hair to her effortless 1960s,
1970s style, the singer-songwrit-
Well, Hell is a 12-track LP high-
to rep the brand for this new en-
er evokes a bygone era of rock 'n'
lighting
roll. Her debut album, Well, Hell,
range.
she
"That was super-flattering. I love
released in February, is the culmi-
laments the distance between her
their clothes;' she says. "There is
nation of years of creative passion
and her always-touring fiancee, LP.
something for everybody. They had
and is an ecstatic, sexy romp high-
In "Sideways" she roars through
some really great ideas, and it was
lighting her impressive Janis Jop-
the trials and tribulations of living
really collaborative."
lin-esque vocals.
her her life outside the American
Hailing from Maryland, the for-
Ward's
In
mainstream.
standout
"Sheet
vocal
Stains"
"Make Love to My-
deavor.
Her interest in fashion has always been a major part of who she
mer hairstylist made the move to
self" is a take-no-prisoners brush-
Los Angeles after years of going
off of someone trying to pick her
"In high school I was into the
back and forth between the East
up in a bar. The album is a burst of
1950s and the '80s. I was having
Coast and the City of Angels.
adrenaline from beginning to end.
"I had always been content, and
Though her upbringing always
is as a person.
sleepovers and sewing my friends'
flare jeans into skinny jeans. My
then one day I realized I couldn't
included music (her mother, un-
mom let me start sewing when I
work another day, I couldn't book
surprised, said, "This is your call-
was 12, on my nana's Singer sew-
another client. I was like, 'What
ing" when Ward told her she would
ing machine. Fashion has always
the fuck is wrong with me? Why do
be pursuing music fulltime), she
been a part of my identity and my
I feel so bored with this beautiful
has always had an equal passion
growth, and when I am feeling re-
life?' And that's when I realized I
for her other creative endeavors,
ally pumped about something with
needed to do something;'
which include hairstyling, sewing,
music, or hair, they all feed each
and art.
other, and they are all food for my
Ward
says.
Making the move solidified her
musical
identity
and jump-start-
"My sewing machine is also my
instrument.
Thinking
to
myself
ed the process that would lead to
about what can I make my stage
the release of Well, Hell as well as
look like so that my band feels so
brain. I need tactile, I need to create and express in more ways than
one;' Ward says.
Being
in a relationship
with
her partnership with iconic brand
into it, and what will make the peo-
another lesbian icon, the accom-
American Apparel.
ple who come to my show feel so
plished musician LP, comes easily
"When I moved here in January of
happy that they put their time and
for Ward, despite the challenges of
2015, I immediately took the music
money into it is also my passion;'
being apart frequently when they're
industry seriously. If people would
she says.
both touring.
be like, 'What do you do?' I'd be like,
When
'I'm a musician.' Now I can comfort-
American
Apparel
ap-
proached Ward about partnering
''I'm a fan of her and she's a fan
of me. Then there's the fact that
SPRING
I
CURVE 33
STYLE ICON
we're both women in the music
industry, and if we don't have time
for each other, we both understand immediately because we're
in the exact same boat.
"You have to have respect for
your lover and what they do and
how they do it and their message
to the world, genuinely. We naturally influence each other. I love
my little songbird. She'll pick up
the ukulele, pick up the guitar; she
is always thinking of a song. It's
so nice to watch. She's a genius;'
she says.
Thanks to the release of Well,
Hell, and her upcoming wedding,
and her status as a major star
on the rise, Ward is positioned to
have her best year yet.
laurenruthwardmusic.com
34
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLEICON
SPRING
I
CURVE 35
STYLE ICON
couple
Angeles where I was finishing my
Self-care is essential in feeling em-
with a "you wish" lifestyle
last year of college and the rest
powered and enlightened. Self-care
that you can now experi-
is history.
starts here.
ardson and Gretchen Tiernan are
When did you realize you'd make a
What's it like working together?
life partners who own a successful
great couple?
Gretchen: Working
Southern California luxury day spa
Gretchen: When I fell in love with
mands a different version of us at
business with multiple locations.
Megan there were no boundaries
each new level, and as our relation-
On their way to building a wellness
and there still aren't. I fell for ev-
ship grows, our business minds par-
empire, this under-30 couple devel-
erything she is and I believe whole-
allel that growth. Before we do any-
oped the idea for Sand Spa after
heartedly in us. We both are great
thing we align our goals because
experiencing how a little self-care
by ourselves but I think the ability
during the journey we have differ-
and attention on wellness can re-
to absolutely know what the other is
ences, we make tough decisions,
duce stress and improve quality of
thinking is something that has kept
sometimes things go way out in left
life. As collegiate basketball players
our bond so tight. It keeps our rela-
field. To keep a good perspective we
they benefited from massage treat-
tionship real and honest and full of
go back to the basics and for us the
ments and together they came up
things, as it is supposed to be.
basics are our goals-what
M
eet a millennial
ence firsthand in L.A. Megan Rich-
with the idea to deliver upscale but
affordable bodywork to women in
a day spa environment-all
by the
together
de-
will it
take to reach those, what will it take
When did you have the idea for
to make our relationship stronger-
Sand Spa?
and by any means necessary we
beach! We caught up with the dy-
Megan: We both briefly worked in
will work for it.
namic duo to learn their secrets to
the spa industry and we felt that
well-being.
the industry needed a fresh set of
What does it take to keep a relation-
eyes. We were 23 and 24 when we
ship strong and healthy?
How did you two first meet?
set out to create Sand Spa. In the
Gretchen:
Megan: Playing basketball against
real world, lavish, expensive, and
when it comes to time. We both
each other in college. It was one of
sometimes lengthy spa visits aren't
approach the life we are living with
Quality
not
quantity
those, "Hey, tell your friend I said
ideal for anybody dealing with life's
so much gratitude. When things
what's up" moments. Very quick-
day-to-day challenges.
get off track in any area of our re-
ly it was something that we would
Gretchen: We set out to create a
lationship we try to pause and lis-
move mountains to make happen.
place for the everyday person to ex-
ten. Our communication has to be
We dated for two years before we
perience high-quality spa services
effective at all times-for
officially
got together. We were
at affordable prices on a more fre-
for our clients, and for each other.
living eight hours apart and on
quent basis. We believe a trip to the
The only way we can do all this
completely
schedules.
spa shouldn't happen once a year;
is if we have each other; we are
Gretchen's career took her to Los
it should be a part of your lifestyle.
rooted in that.
36
CURVE
different
I
SPRING
our team,
What is your involvement with the
LGBTQ community?
Gretchen: We are the LGBTQ community in Manhattan and Hermosa
Beach. I feel like we have helped
open the wider community's eyes
to the LBGTQcommunity and how
we stand for equality and inclusion. The evolution of our brand
could not have happened at a more
perfect time; what makes us great
is our diversity. When you come
into one of our locations we aren't
just here to provide a service-we
embrace you, we support you, and
we will stand up for that.
sandspamb.com
LIVING
TRUE
••••
Spring
Summer
Open yourself to our exclusive perspective
Allow yourself to be inspired by leading
on lush lesbian living, including interior
queer women. Hear the voices of modern
and outdoor design, plus a focus on health,
fitness and renewal.
female executives, artists, activists, and
the celebrities who engage us.
4 timesayear
curvemag.com
Fall
Embrace a more expansive view of
beauty. From androgynous fashion to
diverse body image, distinctive looks to
dress a beauty and a butch.
Winter
Get cozy with inspiring and beautifully
photographed food, drink and travel
stories, appearing alongside seasonal
recipes and holiday ideas.
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
40
CURVE
I
SPRING
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Shake
ItUp
Chef Jennifer Biesty is making a tasty contribution to Oakland's thriving food scene.
MerrynJohns
tep into Shakewell, the buzzy modern bistro in Oakland's
S
Lakeshore neighborhood, and be transported into a lesbi-
an haven of Mediterranean fusion. Chef Jennifer Biesty is
cooking the food she loves, and diners are rewarded with her soulful
take on the bold flavors of Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and
the Middle East.
Everything you're likely to sample is a standout, but a signature
dish is the crave-worthy Piracicaba-Brazilian
sprouting broccoli
with crispy confit duck gizzards, sweet-spicy piquillo pepper, a fried
farm egg, and migas.
SPRING
I
CURVE 41
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
ativity, and know how to do things
The well-traveled chef Biesty is
ing room, the staff wears wigs and
proud to call Oakland home after
beads, and we make fun cocktails.
like make sauces, butcher, and work
spending long stretches training and
Last year was a blast!"
the hot line in a busy place. Once you
working in Europe, New York City, and
Not only is Biesty a Top Chef
alum, she's worked with some of
San Francisco.
have that, the rest should fall into
place."
"I am so lucky we landed in Oak-
the world's great chefs, including
As a married lesbian with a young
land. It wasn't the plan, but I love
Jamie Oliver,as well as Ruth Rogers
family, Biesty is successfully bal-
the friendly vibe. It is diverse and
and Rose Gray of the famous Riv-
ancing the demands of a thriving
open-people say 'good morning' and
er Cafe. "I have worked with some
business with the joys of being a
look you in the eye all the time-and
great chefs over the years, and what
mom. "It is hard, but we manage. Our
that's how it should be;' she says.
is most important to me is to always
daughter is six months old and she
"Shakewell is in a fun neighborhood.
have the highest standards and treat
is just a star, she lights up my heart!
You get a little bit of everything, and
your team well. If you don't have
I never thought I would feel like this;'
all types of people come to gather in
your team behind you, you will fail.
she confides. "I was secretly terrified
our restaurant. It is wonderful."
It's more fun, and cooking should be
to be a parent, but she is the best.
If you're wondering what makes
fun-it has to be:'
I take a little more time out of the
Advice for aspiring queer female
kitchen so I can have time with my
than its chef, some of its staff, and a
chefs looking to break into the indus-
wife Sara and our daughter. I feel
loyal lesbian clientele-Biesty recom-
try or perhaps one day open a restau-
blessed that I can. And sometimes
Shakewell especially queer-other
mends you come in for brunch. "You
rant of their own? "Stay current with
I just can't come home because of
will see every type of family, all enjoy-
trends and read as much as you can.
the demands of the restaurant, but
ing themselves. It's great."
Work in a restaurant that you admire
we make the best of what time we
The restaurant also has big plans
or with chefs you admire-even for
have. Love goes a long way."
for Pride. "We have a great crew here.
free-to learn. Learn techniques be-
We get a DJ and decorate the din-
fore you try to showcase your ere-
42
CURVE
I
SPRING
shakewelloakland.com
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Croquetas
deBacalao
Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, bite into one of Spain's favorite snacks.
JenniferBiesty
Forthecroquet
base:
METHOD:
INGREDIENTS:
Place potatoes in a pot covered with cold water, salt and
bay leaves. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are
0
bunch bay leaves
C,
medium potatoes
(5 or 6 pounds) quartered
fork tender. Drain and remove liquid. In a skillet, heat
a small amount of olive oil over medium-low heat, add
minced garlic and sauce for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not allow to brown. Remove and set aside. In a saucepan
G
G
0
0
cup olive oil
bring milk with remaining olive oil to a boil and quickly
cup garlic, minced
whisk in flour to prevent lumps from forming. Cook on
cup whole milk
e
low heat until the mixture pulls away clean from the edges of the pot. The mixture should resemble thick paste.
cup flour
Whisk yolks into hot mixture. Place together in a bowl the
egg yolks
mashed potatoes, garlic and parsley. Add milk and yolk
batter and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
G
0
cup parsley, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Forthebacalao
mixture:
METHOD:
Soak the bacalao for two days in cold water, which must
INGREDIENTS:
0
0
0
0
pieces bacalao (salt cod)
bay leaves
teaspoons fennel pollen
pinch cayenne
be changed two times a day. Place the soaked bacalao
in a pot with a bay leaf, cover with cold water and bring
to a simmer. Cook until fish is easily flaked. Drain water
and flake fish in a bowl. Add cayenne, fennel pollen and
season with salt. The amount of salt will vary depending
on the flavor of the fish. Once the fish is well seasoned
and has cooled, add half of the croquet base and fold
in the fish mixture. Be sure to cook off a small amount
and taste for seasoning. Fry each croqueta in oil at 375
degrees until golden brown and crisp.
44
CURVE
I
SPRING
INTERIOR DESIGN
Dwelling
byDesign
Inspiring interiors for a new season.
Photosby KimReisand
pring is a good time to reimagine your abode, no matter where
S
you call home. To catch up on approaches and trends we
spoke to Related Arts Interior Design owner, Soraida Bedoya.
Bedoya's 14 years of design industry experience is founded on training in fine art and art history. She has a keen eye for objects as identi-
ty markers and storytellers. Her designs employ principles of balance
to create environments that are modern and elegant, yet livable. After
many years of living and working in the Hamptons, Bedoya is now
based between New York City and the East End, with an occasional
sojourn in the Caribbean. We caught up with the in-demand decorator
to discern the latest trends.
SPRING
I
CURVE 45
INTERIOR DESIGN
What is your signaturestyle, or the
describe their spaces as having a
elementsyou bringto a projectthat
calm undertone but with a few unex-
are quintessentiallyyours?
pected elements of surprise. Ideally,
I lean toward minimalism as a phi-
one should be aware that design is
losophy because it aims to identify
in the room but it should not domi-
the essential elements of an ob-
nate; life should always happen free-
ject, space or idea. As an approach
ly within a space.
I translate this search for essence
by funneling a client's broad vision
Whichother female designersand
down to a few basic lifestyle ele-
decoratorsdo you admire?
ments, and I organize the design of
I love Kelly Wearstler and Paris Fa-
those paired down needs and wants.
rino.
Can you give us an exampleof a
What are some upcominginterior
designchoiceyou would make
trendsfor this spring/summer?
for a client?
I would say Jade and and Emerald
If a client says to me they are drawn
with an overall echo from the '80s!
to mid-century design and bright
color, the selection of fabrics I will
How might you approacha new
present in this particular case will be
client?
geometric patterns from that period
My first question is: how do you want
that are organized in grids versus
to feel in your space? I ask them
patterns from the same period that
to create a look book, with images
have a more irregular grid with or-
taken from catalogues. I base the
ganic shapes. Solid colors that have
look on their lifestyle: Do they have
an undertone of sepia or grey versus
children, do they like to entertain, is
fully saturated or deeply muted col-
one room used only by one person?
ors. The final result is then a design
I take it in layers and try to work out
built on a client's likes but founded
what their story is. I ask: How do we
on my understanding of how shape,
live with objects, how do we relate
scale, texture, etc., can be used to
to them? The objects we're attached
interpret what is both beautiful and
to tell the story of us. We hang onto
livable for the lifestyle and taste of
those cherished possessions but of-
the client. I bring a listening ear and
ten, when we have the urge to redec-
a modified version of a minimal de-
orate, it's because we want to purge,
sign philosophy, serving to clarify
because things are shifting in our
and de-clutter both intention and
lives. At the end of the day, when I
space.
come home, I want a sanctuary.
How wouldyou describeyour
overallresults?
In the end most of my clients would
46
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relatedarts.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
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INTERIOR DESIGN
48
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INTERIOR DESIGN
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
VictoriaA. Brownworth
50
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
A
merica has become increas-
there. I agreed I would, we said some
ingly polarized, a nation in
emotional goodbyes, and fell out of
which women, people of
touch surprisingly quickly, given how
color, immigrants, and the LGBTQ
community
are under threat from
the Trump administration
close we had been.
Russia was a world away from the
and its
work I was doing in the U.S. as both an
followers. Concerns about autocracy
activist and a journalist. For Masha,
and creeping authoritarianism have
Russia was her birthplace, a home
ceased to be vague what-ifs. A year
that was calling to her even as she
into the Trump presidency, America
worried about returning there. From
feels like a riven nation, where some
the vantage point of the U.S.,Moscow
of us see flashing red danger signs
was the dangerously volatile place
while others don red hats that read
from which her Jewish family had fled
Make America Great Again, even as
fearing a rise in anti-Semitism, when
they call for the rescission of our
she was a teenager.
most basic-and
most quintessen-
tially American-civil
liberties.
In the Feb. 8 issue of the New York
Reviewof Books,Gessen has an essay
Masha Gessen knows about au-
that was first given as a lecture using
thoritarian rule because she's lived
the seven words Trump had banned
under it for much of her life. Masha
from government documents. To am-
and I worked together for several years
plify on the word "fetus;' she writes,
in the late 1980s and early '90s. We
''Thirty-nine years ago, my parents
talked weekly about everything-but
took a package of documents to an
mostly about work, Al DS and LGBT
office in Moscow. This was our appli-
activism, and the endless complica-
cation for an exit visa to leave the So-
tions of being out activist journalists
viet Union. More than two years would
like ourselves in what was an intensely
pass before the visa was granted, but
homophobic world.
from that day on I have felt a sense of
Twenty-some years ago, the last
precariousness wherever I have been,
time I spoke with Masha before this
along with a sense of opportunity.
interview, she was getting ready to
They are a pair!'
move to Moscow and had asked me if
America was the place where Ma-
I could send her American dog food if
sha Gessen came out as a lesbian, be-
she couldn't find what she needed over
came an LGBTactivist and a journalist,
SPRING
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
and prepared to return to a radically
on, [Putin] accused Secretary of State
changed nation-state, no longer the
Hillary Clinton of having personally in-
Gessen described what happened
U.S.S.R.into which she had been born
spired the protests. A few months later,
next. " The Americans want to adopt
but the newly minted, self-declared de-
this idea of The Other turned into the
Russian children and bring them up
mocracy of Russia.
laws on foreign agents and espionage
in perverted families like Masha Ges-
Nothing changed for Gessen in
ing was safe.
and into the ban on American adop-
sen's; " said St. Petersburg politician
Russia, by which I mean she didn't go
tions-and
Vitaly Milonov, bringing together ho-
back in the closet, she didn't stop be-
'homosexual propaganda; for no one
mosexual propaganda, adoptions, and
ing an AIDS activist, and she not only
represents Western influence and Oth-
foreign agents quite nicely.
didn't stop being a journalist, she be-
erness better than gays and lesbians:'
eventually into the law on
Gessen wasn't an anonymous lesbi-
came the best-known gay
an in Moscow. Gessen was
journalist in all of Russia.
THE lesbian in Moscow.
As she continued to
What happened next could
write about HIV/ Al DS,Ges-
easily happen here under
sen met and adopted her
Trump. Attorney
then-3-year-old son Vova
Jeff Sessions has already
from an orphanage for the
barred lesbians and gay
children
of
General
HIV-positive
men from filing employ-
women (he was negative).
ment discrimination suits
Now he's in high school, in
under Title IX.
America, because in 2014,
In Moscow on June 30,
like her parents before her,
2013, Gessen says that "the
Gessen gathered her fam-
ban on 'homosexual propa-
ily and left her birthplace
ganda' became law, the par-
and that of her children.
liament banned adoptions
The title of her farewell es-
by same-sex couples or sin-
say explains why: "When
gle people from countries
Putin Declared War on
where same-sex marriage
Gay Families, It Was Time
for Mine to Leave Russia:'
is legal, and the head of the
This ban on adoptions was the
parliamentary committee on the family
An unnerving part of that essay,
cover story used by members of the
pledged to pass a bill that would cre-
written for Slate in August 2013, is
Trump campaign to explain why they
ate mechanisms for removing children
the explanation for why Putin would
were talking with various Russians.
from same-sex families. That would in-
want revenge on Hillary Clinton. His
And the vilification of LGBT people is
clude biological children. So that same
rage at her for claiming as Secretary
another point of intersection for Trump
month, we put our Moscow apartment
of State that the 2011 elections in Rus-
and Putin.
on the market, and in August we began
sia were rigged was, as Gessen wrote,
But for Gessen and her family, her
channeled into punishing a different
notoriety among Putin's people creat-
A few days before Thanksgiving in
Other than her. Gessen writes, "Early
ed an aura of danger around her. Noth-
2017, when Masha and I spoke again
52 CURVE
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house hunting in New York:'
IN THE CROSSFIRE
for the first time in 25 years, she had
sion he's knowledgeable;' she explains,
on Putin's rise to power and what it
just won the prestigious National Book
but says the repetition, the relent-
means for both Russia and the West.
Award for nonfiction for The Future Is
lessness is meant "to drown us in his
History: How TotalitarianismReclaimed
words;' which, she adds, often have no
in our election? In the Trump cam-
Russia.
meaning or context, or have a reverse
paign, yes.
The Future Is History is a massive
book-part Russian novel, part sociol-
meaning, like his favorites, "fake news"
or "witch hunt:'
Does she think Russia had a hand
What Putin is not, says Gessen, is
the mastermind of our own failure to
ogy, part anthropology, part thriller. It's
It's become a commonplace for
filled with interviews and insights and
people claiming Resistance status to
and diplomat in favor of a man Gessen
took Gessen hundreds of hours of in-
argue that Russia stole the American
says is indeed very like Putin.
terviews and many years (with the help
election in 2016. This is a far easier
Gessen's so smart-she's that van-
of a Carnegiefellowship) to write. It is a
rationale than accepting the reality
ishing breed in America, the public
book that could not be more germane
that the true conspiracy that led us
intellectual-and
to the creeping authoritarianism of
to our own authoritarian ruler was
of Trump, Putin, and the 2016 election
Trump and to our own current political
a combination of misogyny, racism,
so well-formulated, that one wants to
circumstances.
xenophobia, homophobia, the em-
ignore what she has to say both about
bracing of jingoistic sound bites, and
Trump and about how autocracies
investigation into the Trump cam-
rallies that would have made Leni
happen. Internet memes aside, Ges-
paign's engagement and collusion
Riefenstahl blush.
sen says, "Putin is no Bond villain:'
About those
circumstances-the
elect an accomplished stateswoman
her deconstruction
For many, that may be her most
with Russia-Gessen has much to say,
As Gessen sees it, people feel they
although not, perhaps, what many on
haven't gotten what they deserve, that
either the left or the right wish to hear.
someone else-immigrants,
Muslims,
Gessen's book details what Putin
Of the left's embrace of Cold War-
gays-is getting what belongs to them.
is-the man behind the curtain, the for-
style Red-Scare paranoia, where every
And that, she explains, is where the
mer KGB operative who, she asserts,
other person on Twitter is a Russian
door opens for someone like Trump or
"never wanted to be a politician:'
crushing revelation.
bot, Gessen is succinct: "It's surprising
Putin to walk right in, with their promis-
When I ask if Gessen thinks Putin
and really disappointing:'
es of taking everything back to a time
is a mastermind, she doesn't hesitate
those voters understood.
in saying no, but she quickly adds that
Now a staff writer at the New York-
Gessen, who also wrote The Man
Putin loves being perceived as a mas-
few days. She frequently parallels
Withouta Face:TheUnlikelyRiseof Vlad-
termind-as well as the stereotype of
Trump's behavior with that of totalitar-
imir Putin, isn't buying the claim that
the shirtless strongman, still virile at
er, Gessen writes about Trump every
ian elements in Russia and the former
Russia stole our election without our
65, swimming "a thousand metres a
U.S.S.R.
participation. It's much more complex,
day" as he claims. Hillary Clinton fa-
she asserts.
mously called Trump "Putin's puppet"
Trump, Gessen asserts, talks re-
in their final debate, and Putin has,
petitively and endlessly. She says he
"Russian collusion is the story ed-
and Putin are similar in that they both
itors want me to write, but it isn't as
Gessen suggests, relished that image
purvey facts that are often wrong, but
big a story as Americans would like it
of himself and of Trump.
repeat those made-up facts again and
to be;' she says with the authority of a
The American left has fully em-
again. "It's meant to give the impres-
woman who has written several books
braced the image of Putin as a Bond
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
54
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
villain, manipulating the Trump ad-
marching in the wrong direction.
tentacles were there.
ministration like a puppeteer. Ges-
In her Feb. 8 New Yorkercolumn,
Trump is closer to a mafia don than
sen says Americans have "elevated
Gessen states this quite literally as
he is a dictator. Thus far. But we know
Putin to the role he has always want-
she deconstructs Trump's latest de-
Trump has a fixation with and an ad-
ed, that Bond villain he has always
sire for a parade. Describing a poster
miration for other dictators, most im-
aspired to be:' We have, just like
of a Soviet parade, and supplying her
portantly Putin.
many in Russia, where he has over-
own disparaging caption, she notes,
whelming support, bought into Pu-
"Military parades, it went without
Yorker,Gessen made a subtle com-
tin's persona. Yet, Gessen explains,
saying, were a feature of totalitarian
parison between Trump and Stalin,
the details of the Russia investiga-
regimes and the opposite of freedom:'
with a trajectory built on applause:
tion have shown us the incompetent
That is something we cannot
"I sometimes joke that growing up
In her Feb. 6 column in the New
blame on anyone but ourselves, Ges-
in the Soviet Union prepared me for
"What we've seen so far of what
sen says. She talks rapid-fire about
working as a journalist in the United
side of Russian intervention.
Russia did during the campaign is, for
how inescapable totalitarianism was
States. That joke has become less
the most part, ridiculous;' she asserts.
in Russia, because of what she calls
funny now that the president is posi-
I laugh, but when we examine Donald
"intergenerational trauma:' The im-
tioning applause as a central issue of
Trump, Jr., Carter Page,Gen. Mike Fly-
pact of Soviet Russia lingered even
American politics."
nn, George Papadapoulos, and even
after the bloc was broken up and na-
Gessen knows what the word "free-
Paul Manafort, their blundering ef-
tion-states sprang up (some of them
dom" means. She says the most de-
forts to engage Russia to ruin Hillary
far more totalitarian than the U.S.S.R.
fining difference for her living back in
Clinton's chances of being president
was at its peak).
the U.S. is that she no longer worries
feel more Keystone Cops than Jason
Bourne. And yet....
The often facile nature of American
about where her three children are, nor
politics has made for easy parallels
her wife, nor her ex. No one will be kid-
It should have ended July 27, 2016
that aren't accurate. Trump isn't Hit-
naped by the State, here. She needn't
when Trump said during a press
ler,Steven Miller isn't Josef Goebbels.
call her partner to come meet her with
conference in Florida, "I will tell you
But Gessen lays out some parallels
their dog because of what she calls "a
this, Russia: If you're listening, I hope
between Trump
creeping sense of unsafeness:'
you're able to find the 30,000 emails
grandiosity, their
that are missing. I think you will prob-
make sense. She also describes the
speech last December,Gessen said, "I
ably be rewarded mightily by our
corrupted
landscape on
wish I could finish on a hopeful note,
press:'
which Putin built his empire: He's
by saying something like: If only we
political
and
Putin-their
narcissism-that
In her New York Public Library
Yet it's not all a joke, as Gessen
been running Russia since 2000 and
insist on making choices, we will suc-
explains. The most chilling thing she
Gessen says there's no question he'll
ceed in keeping the darkness at bay.
said in our interview was that "[Amer-
be re-elected for another six years.
I'm not convinced that that's the case.
ica] is not moving toward democracy.
What should intrigue Americans
But I do think that making choices
It's marching away from democracy:'
seeking parallels is that Gessen
and, more important, imagining other,
And although Gessen believes true
says, "Putin built a mafia state;'
better choices, will give us the best
democracy is aspirational rather than
that he didn't set out to build a to-
chance possible of coming out of the
actual in most cases, the net negative
talitarian regime, but that since the
darkness better than we were when
is the same: We are, under Trump,
U.S.S.R. had been one, the lingering
we went in:'
SPRING
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FILMS
Women
Who
Dare
Disobedience is the mustsee lesbian film of the year.
MerrynJohns
OJ
E
~
OJ
RachelWeisz
56 CURVE
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FILMS
T
he tagline for the excellent new
raised, has suddenly died. Ronit goes
film Disobedienceis "Love is an
home to pay her respects, for the first
it's fair
time in years, and rekindles her trau-
act of defiance" -but
to say that the idea of women work-
matic relationship with the community
ing together in the film industry these
that shunned her for a grave misde-
days is equally defiant. Disobedience,
meanour: a forbidden lesbian affair
an intelligent and complex feature
with her best friend Esti. But what does
film, is produced by the actor Rachel
Ronit ultimately want-aside
Weisz, with Rachel McAdams as her
connecting with her cousin Dovid, who
from re-
co-star. While McAdams has shared
is also Esti's husband? Is she probing
her account of being a victim of sexual
a possible inheritance, or impossibly
harassment at the hands of film direc-
seeking posthumous love and forgive-
tor James Toback-an account which
ness from her father?
helped contribute to the groundswell of
As it turns out, the one inheritance
the #Me Too movement-it's important
Ronit is bequeathed is her mother's
not to view Hollywood's actresses as
Shabbat candlesticks, but what she
merely players in a narrative of victim-
actually gains is the passionate rekin-
ization. Equal if not more powerful is
dling of her affair with Esti-an affair
the narrative of women spearheading
that finally undoes the women's op-
creative projects that empower them
pression by the community that stifles
as talented players in an industry that
them.
often stacks the odds against them.
When I ask Weisz how the project
So it's a real pleasure to watch Dis-
came to her she corrects me gently.
obedience-starring McAdams as a de-
"Actually,the project didn't come to me,
ceptively transgressive character, and
I found it. I was looking for good a role
Weisz as the catalyst for her transgres-
for me, and a role for another woman,
sion. The film is a miracle of sorts-that
and I suppose it was natural to choose
such a high-profile actor was attracted
a story about a lesbian relationship. I
to a project that is quietly sombre,
read Naomi Alderman's book and I op-
complex, and that resonantly reframes
tioned it and then I took it to Film4:'
the way in which we see women as ar-
Weisz's choice of project seems
chitects of their own freedom is a wel-
both selfless and insightful. The rela-
come offering.
tionship between Ronit and Esti-two
Disobedienceis based on the novel
atypical women on the fringes of mi-
by Naomi Alderman, in which Ronit
nority cultures-has arguably not been
Krushka, a single Manhattan photog-
seen onscreen before.
rapher,learns that her estranged father,
Weisz is mesmerizing as Ronit, a
a Godlike rabbi in the London Orthodox
New York City photographer who is
Jewish community in which she was
more in command of her photographic
SPRING
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FILMS
change the culture:'
subjects than she is of herself. She is
women as though they're seeing them
known for capturing urban subcultures
through the eyes of men. So it's really
Weisz directs me to a speech by the
and beautiful eccentrics, but her talent
important that we see Ronit looking at
actor Riz Ahmed, best known in Ameri-
for finding beauty in unexpected plac-
Esti-as a woman looking at another
ca for RogueOne:A Star WarsStory,that
es masks her unresolved grief. When
woman, and seeing her just as that-a
he gave in the British Parliament last
she discovers her father has died she
woman who returns her gaze as well:'
year. "The most fantastical and unreal-
gets drunk and has sex with a stranger,
It's not that men are necessarily
istic stories can make the biggest im-
the problem, says Weisz. "The prob-
pact;' says Ahmed. "But even in those
Weisz, a talented performer whose
lem is in the way that stories are told:'
stories, what people are looking for is
face can mercurially reconfigure itself
While the director, Sebastian Lelio, is
the message that they belong. That
from smouldering beauty to deep sor-
a straight man, "there's something dif-
they are part of something. That they
row, has perfect chemistry with McAd-
ferent about Sebastian, and about the
are seen and heard, but despite-or
ams, who plays a timid and quietly
way he sees things, that I don't feel op-
perhaps because of the uniqueness of
distressed teacher in a Jewish girls'
pressed by,' says Weisz. She extends
their experience-they are valued. They
school. While Esti likes her job and
that collaborative compliment to her
want to feel represented:' If they're
finds authority in it, she is moments
co-star, Alessandro Nivola, who plays
not represented, they're pushed to
away from a nervous breakdown, ex-
Dovid,and while he is the heir to Ronit's
the fringes, says Ahmed, where they
acerbated by her persistent feeings for
religious figurehead father, in a way, he
act out. Neither Ronit nor Esti have
Ronit, which simmer beneath the sur-
also helps deliver his wife's freedom
been accepted by their community,
face of duty. The tension is palpable.
when she makes it clear to him that
and Ronit's response is to cast herself
When Esti lights the candles for Shab-
there is no other way for her to live.
even further out. Esti has lost herself in
then goes ice-skating.
bat, Ronit looks as though she is being
When I tell Weisz that I admire her
conformity and forces herself to be het-
pulled magnetically to her. At Shabbat
choice of subject, especially at a time
erosexual, even though that's bound to
dinner when Ronit is asked why her
when Hollywood has sought refuge
fail. Of course, when they meet again,
professional name is Ronnie Curtis
from identity politics in endless su-
their alienation ignites a powderkeg.
and not Ronit Krushka, Esti interjects,
perhero franchises, she observes that
Weisz was especially taken with por-
"Women change their names every
those narratives can also offer pow-
traying the intersection of two minority
day. They take their husbands' names
erful opportunities for women-it
de-
communities: queer women and Or-
and their own history is gone:'
pends on how the story is told. "When
thodox Jews. "I've had very little to do
Two women together can chal-
you say comic books, though, I think
with that world;' she admits, "but I have
lenge the cultural order. Weisz looks at
of WonderWoman,which I absolutely
known and worked with gay people all
McAdams with penetrating longing, a
loved and felt so inspired by. I could
my life and have many gay friends;' she
keen sense of recognition, and with a
really relate to her, as somebody who
says.
desire that is as much about selfhood
grew up as a tomboy in a certain en-
When it came to casting her gay
as it is about sex. Weisz agrees that es-
vironment and who wanted to get out
love interest, Weisz was thrilled to
tablishing a non-male gaze was vital to
and be active and do things. It's not
land Rachel McAdams, an actor with
the film. "It's really fascinating talking
even really about diversity,' she says.
serious marquee pull who was com-
about the male gaze;' she says, "be-
"It's about representation, and what a
mitted enough to her craft to be drawn
cause men do see women in a certain
character is allowed to do in the sto-
to shooting a small-budget drama in
way, and women do often look at other
ry, and how our perception of that can
"rainy North London"-while
58
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wearing
FILMS
SPRING
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FILMS
unflattering costumes and an Ortho-
cally, but critics have already focused
It suggests that they have transformed
dox wig. But their chemistry is com-
on the sex scene as the centerpiece of
each other'.'
pelling and believable-Weisz's more
the film, and I ask Weisz if she thinks
And this, ultimately, is what wom-
dominant Ronit plays off the repressed
that's fair. "Are you referring to the
en can do for each other. The dearth
Esti who is gradually unraveled by her
scene where Ronit and Esti spit in each
of good roles-or
visiting friend. "I think Esti really is gay,
other's mouths?" she asks frankly. Yes;
women "is not even about age;' says
and Ronit is probably bisexual;' says
what does she think that particular sex-
Weisz. "It's about gender. It's ridiculous
Weisz. "But she also tends to go with
ual gesture means? "I'd rather not say,'
that we're even having this conversa-
she says, "or I'd prefer to hear what you
tion. It's very strange that we talk about
think it means'.'
women as though we're some obscure
her feelings, and act on impulse'.'
In one scene, when Ronit says,
opportunities-for
"Perhaps people should stop having
I tell her I think it's an exchange of
minority, when in fact we are half of the
so many children;' Esti stifles a smile.
bodily fluids that is also a metaphorical
world's population'.' Weisz doesn't have
When one of the hosts observes that
impregnation. Ronit has inseminated
a mandate, but Disobedienceis a pow-
Ronit is not married and urges her to
Esti with disobedience. It may turn
erful start, and highlights the rewards
conform to the natural order, Ronit
out that she is pregnant with David's
of women taking a more active role.
snaps, "Is that the way it should be or
child-but
Esti now has the strength
Weisz relished her role as producer,
is that just institutional obligation?"
to decide what to do with it, because
which she describes as "the opposite
Again, Esti looks smitten by Ronit, who
of Ronit. "I'm not sure if I can say that's
of acting" and rather than waiting for a
is opinionated and liberated in a way
absolutely what Sebastian [and the
great script to come to her she found
that she longs to be.
screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz] in-
one for herself, and for a female co-star.
It was important to Weisz that the
tended;' says Weisz. "I'd rather each
ecsalating relationship between the
viewer make up their mind about what
women was not handled voyeuristi-
it means, but I love your interpretation.
60
CURVE
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Esti and Ronit would approve.
Disobedience
is releasedon April27.
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MAY
CANCUN,
19-26,
MEXICO
2018
REGISTERYOUR INTERESTNOW: CURVEMAG.COM/CURVESUMMIT
COVER STORY
62 CURVE
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OurCate
Cate Blanchett takes her rightful place in the lesbian hall of fame.
Melanie Barker
he has won two Oscars and has
in BlueJasmine,she walks off with an
another 149 wins and almost
Oscar. Blanchett makes a damn good
S
200 nominations to her name.
villain, too: Marissa Wiegler in Hanna,
As perhaps the greatest film star of
the wicked stepmother in Cinderella,
her generation, she's an actor so versa-
and Hela in Thor: Ragnarok.She can
tile that she can play an albino Italian
also handle playing 13 characters in
immigrant, an elf queen, the bisexual
one film, as she did in the indie film
actor Katharine Hepburn, and a man-
Manifesto.As we go to press, she is
Bob Dylan. As a trained theater actor
attached to play the comic genius Lu-
she is also adept at interpreting Shake-
cille Ball in an upcoming biopic (script
speare, Chekhov,and Ibsen. And on top
by Aaron Sorkin); in addition she has
of all the mainstream critical acclaim,
four films in post-production and one
Cate Blanchett has taken her right-
she is currently filming. Blanchett may
ful place in the pantheon of lesbian
be approaching 50, but she's not slow-
screen goddesses through her unwav-
ing down-and each of the challenging
ering dedication to the strength and
roles she now takes on is a victory for
individuality of women everywhere,
aging women. When asked by Stephen
including those who are marginalized
Colbert why Ocean'sEight was thus
and queer. From the outset of her
named, her witty riposte was, "There's
career, Blanchett has played strong,
only eight women working in Holly-
determined, and unique women: Eliza-
wood;' alluding both to the widespread
beth I, Charlotte Gray,Galadriel, Veron-
sexism in the industry and to the ag-
ica Guerin, Hepburn, and Lady Marion
ing out of female stars-a cruelty she
Loxley-to name just a few. Even when
seems determined to defy.
she plays a completely vulnerable and
Blanchett has proven herself to be
unhinged mess, like Jasmine French
delightfully outspoken on and off the
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COVER STORY
red carpet. When the Harvey Wein-
out apology, whose physical presence
feminine couture with androgynous
stein scandal erupted in Hollywood,
and their aesthetic is really integrated
tailored outfits such as the one she
she released an official statement to
in a non-self-conscious way, into part
wore to Comic-Con International: San
the film industry's news magazine, Va-
of who they are, and women who know
Diego on July 22, 2017, where she was
riety "Any man in a position of power
that how they look is not all of who
promoting Thor:Ragnarok.
or authority who thinks it's his prerog-
they are, but just an extension of that.
Wearing her blonde hair relatively
ative to threaten, intimidate or sexually
It's about women who feel free to wear
short, to neck level, and looking chic
assault any woman he encounters or
what they want when they want and
in a black-and-white checked slouch
works alongside needs to be called to
how they want to wear it. We all like
suit by the NYClabel Monse, Blanchett
account. It is never easy for a woman
looking sexy, but it doesn't mean we
lapped up the attention and credited
to come forward in such situations
want to fuck you:'
fans with helping her create the pow-
and I wholeheartedly support those
who have:'
In an industry where actresses are
supposed to trade on their looks,
When the Weinstein sexual moles-
pay their dues, and play nice, or else,
erful, sexy look of her archvillainess
character, Hela, goddess of death.
One of the main reasons Blanchett
tation scandal spread into the fashion
Blanchett always seems to remain true
has landed on every lesbian's map
industry, Blanchett went even further,
to herself: feisty, witty, sharp-tongued,
was her role in the film Carol. Since
telling assembled guests at the lnStyle
and quintessentially Aussie. And of
the release of the Oscar-nominated
Awards in Los Angeles, where she was
course she herself is a style icon, ex-
drama, adapted by Phyllis Nagy from
accepting an award, "For me, the true
ploring many different looks, but al-
the Patricia Highsmith novel, fans and
icons of style are always those women
ways in ways that suit and please her.
shippers have gone wild for the Car-
who've been utterly themselves with-
She's nobody's dummy. She balances
ol-Therese romance-and
fantasized
a Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara romance offscreen, too. Just check out
the numerous lnstagram and YouTube
channels tracking the two and editing
their admiration for each other into
I
"IfIhadmyway,ifIwasluckyenough,
if Icould
beonthebrinkmyentire
life- thatgreatsenseofexpectation
andexcitement
without
the
disappointment
- that
wouldbetheperfect
state."
coupledom.
Of Carol, Blanchett told us in New
York that she found the script to be
beautifully written, giving her "wonderful stuff to play with:' Blanchett described Carolas "a deeply private person who keeps her sexuality to herself
and lives in a quiet hell because she's
not able to express herself:' But when
she meets Therese, who is "flung out
of space;' the wheels of romance turn
and sexual longing simmers to create
what Mara describes as Therese's "ob-
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sessive pursuit of Carol" and "a love
Instinct, and Blanchett's habit of
award at the 2014 Santa Barbara Inter-
speaking off the cuff, may also have
national Film Festival, describing her-
Nevertheless, Blanchett knew that
led to a coming-out misfire, which hap-
self as "an awestruck super-fan" who
playing a closeted lesbian who, in
pened when she allegedly told a Variety
first saw her in the film Elizabethwhen
1950s America, becomes involved with
reporter that she had experienced rela-
she was 13 years of age. "I can remem-
a much younger woman was taking a
tionships with women "many times:'
ber the feeling that washed over me;'
risk. "I like the unknown factor when it
The reporter maintains that he quoted
says Mara, who went on to say, dry-
story between two humans:'
comes to choosing a role or a project;'
Blanchett accurately. Blanchett fol-
mouthed with nervousness, that she's
Blanchett said. "I usually rely on my in-
lowed up and told the press that the
followed Blanchett's career ever since,
stinct in the sense that if I know right
part where she clarified the relation-
never publicly disclosing her admira-
away how I can interpret a character I'll
ships as "not sexual" was edited out
tion for her virtues but keeping them
usually turn it down, because I find it
of the article. And lesbians everywhere
close to her as "private little treasures"
too predictable, or I feel like I've been
heaved a sigh of disappointment. Oh,
that she visited for inspiration.
there before. That's why I agreed to
well. But then Blanchett turned up at
In return, Blanchett has described
play Bob Dylan [in Todd Haynes's I'm
New York LGBTQ bar The Stonewall
herself and Mara as "kindred spirits"
Not There]or the part of Carol. Not only
Inn last March, and lip-synched lesbian
with an "unspoken understanding"
is there some risk involved, but there's
singer Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own
between them. There's a sense that
also this excitement that comes from
Me" for an adoring audience of fags
these two enjoy playing it up for the
exploring new territory, and I love to
and dykes. Little wonder that lesbian
fans, yes, but that they do truly relish
surprise myself. If I started to think
fans are charmed but confused.
the connection between them. Blanch-
about the potential downside, if things
Certainly for the Cate-and-Rooney
ett again appears with Mara in the new
don't work out as well as I hoped they
shippers, and lesbian fandom in gen-
Terrence Malick film, Weightless.And
might, I would probably be so terrified
eral, the couple chemistry between
while Blanchett mentions her husband
that I wouldn't take those risks. But I
Mara and Blanchett is palpable, not
and three sons in just about every in-
don't know any other way of working.
baseless. The pair demonstrate a
terview she does, the person largely re-
physical closeness whenever they
sponsible for her success this past de-
appear in public together-Blanchett's
cade is her super-agent Hylda Queally,
make it mine. The process involved
playful grab at Mara's breast, a touch
who also manages Kate Winslet, Mar-
in that also still terrifies me, but it's
of the leg, hand-holding on the red
ion Cotillard, Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle
the only way I know. It was the same
carpet, and many penetrating glances
Williams, and Jessica Chastain.
thing when I met my husband Andrew.
between them. Blanchett's protective
We had known each other only three
arm encircling Mara, and Mara often
Blanchett such a pleasure to watch is
weeks when he asked me to marry
looking down in shyness or stealing
her thorough femaleness-a display of
him. But I said yes because I knew it
a look at her co-star. Hands even dis-
the feminine self as absolute. Self-suf-
was the right thing:' Twenty years later
appear from view whenever they are
ficient. It's never moored to her love
they're still together. "We both believe
photographed together, such as at the
for the male lead. Her embodiment of
in destiny and the kind of adventure
2017 Paris Fashion Week's Givenchy
Marvel Comics' Hela,a gothic goddess
that comes from a decision taken very
show. Mara practically evangelized
of death who manages to crush Thor's
quicklY:'
Blanchett when presenting her with an
hammer with one hand, is a feast for
"It's something very visceral with me.
Whenever I play a character, I need to
One of the many things that make
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COVER STORY
~
Iu
.3,,_-
1
a:
_g
1-
i:::i..
.8
E
2
LL
I
"Ofcourseoneworries
aboutgetting
older.
I'msimply
notpanicking
asmylaughlines
growdeeper.
Whowantsa facewithno
history,
nosenseofhumor?"
SPRING
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COVER STORY
the eyes as well as a feminist statement.
She is the first female Marvel screen
villain. "Let's face it: as a woman, these
opportunities have not in the past come
up very frequently,' Blanchett says. "I've
seen so many of the Marvel franchises,
particularly being the mother of four ...and
I think there's a revolution happening from
within Marvel.
"It was fun doing the action scenes, and
part of the benefit of being in the superhero universe is that you have to get very fit.
I did a lot of action scenes and [Afro-Brazilian martial arts form] capoeira stuff,
which is part of how Hela manifests all
these weapons out of her hands:'
As much as Blanchett has become a
feminist icon for other actresses, she too
has had role models of her own. "Gena
Rowlands is someone who has had a
big influence on me. I loved her work in
the films she did with her husband, John
Cassavetes, especially A Woman Under
the Influence.I saw her as kind of a model
for the kind of career I wanted to have. I
also thought she was incredible in Gloria
[directed by Cassavetes], and her way of
creating a character really made a deep
impression on me. I learnt so much from
watching and studying her work:'
And Blanchett cites her own matrilineal
connections as lifelong inspirations for
her. "My mother and grandmother have
been my inspirations in terms of their
sense of self-respect and independence.
And that was reflected in how they
dressed and that had a big impact on me.
I remember whenever I've been to Italy,
for example, I've noticed how well women
68 CURVE
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dress in cities like Rome. It seems that
want to go through those years again. I
a myriad of compromises, and you
elegance and good taste run in their
enjoyed my 30s a great deal and now, in
try to provide the best possible life for
DNN'
my 40s, I feel my life has become even
your children while pursuing your own
When she's not working and being
better. I would rather approach getting
goals in life. I was more worried when
gorgeous, she fine-tunes her acting
older with a lot of curiosity and a sense
I went back to work after my first child,
skills through observing ordinary peo-
of adventure. Even though you might
but then I saw that it wasn't so hard to
ple. "I like watching other people shop
like to fight it, there's not much point!"
when I go to the supermarket. Also,
Can women have it all? Blanchett
when I take my children to the park to
prides herself on taking care of her chil-
play,when I'm sitting down, I'll find my-
dren and her career at the same time.
organize things, after all. You discover
that you enjoy being busy and figuring
out ways to balance everything.
"I think it's important to set an exam-
self analyzing what other people are
Known for having high professional
ple and show how the two can work
doing or what they might be thinking
standards, does she also put pressure
together quite well;' she says, in spite
about. All those things feed into your
of admitting that looking after four
actor's mentality and how you're in the
children while pursuing her career
Twitter are often used in an exhibition-
certainly
thinkthat can be "a marvelous form of chaos ... I
there's this idea that I've got it all
whenIflickthrough think
figured out. Believe me, it couldn't be
further from that. One slip-up and it's
allthemagazines
at
a big old disaster,' she laughs.
thehairdresser's
Ilike And as for the kids being intimidated
mom? 'They couldn't
toseeandamdrawn bygivea asuperstar
rats about what I do. It is of
toimages
thathavean absolutely little importance to them:'
The newest addition to the family is a
intelligence
andmind little girl, Edith, who Blanchett adoptand who she often takes on proatworkbehind
them." edmotional
trips with her.
ist way,which isn't healthy, particularly
Meanwhile, we look forward to what-
habit of thinking about human behavior and psychology. That's a huge part
of your process as an actor:'
Blanchett scores points for her aversion to social media, stating rather
astutely that it "can be huge source of
rivalry and jealousy amongst friends,
and when you're taking selfies it's a
way of seeing how much people like
you. Social media can be a great way
to communicate and connect with
other people, but I think selfies and
~~1
on herself to be the perfect mom? "No,
ever Blanchett does next, especially
And on the subject of being older
because there's no such thing. I don't
the heist film Ocean'sEight,the all-fe-
and wiser, Blanchett, who will turn 50
believe in the notion that a woman,
male spin-off of Ocean'sEleven,set for
in May 2019, accepts aging as part of
much less a man, can have it all. Wom-
release in June this year. Blanchett
life. "Getting older happens to all of
en have become more independent in
joins an ensemble female cast includ-
us, and there are many advantages
terms of wanting to pursue their careers
ing her Carol co-star Sarah Paulson.
that come with age. I feel much more
in society and enjoying the same kinds
"It's a dream-team cast;' she says.
comfortable in my skin today than
of opportunities as men. I think the en-
"We have Sandra Bullock, Anne Hatha-
for younger people:'
I ever have before. I am much more
tire notion puts too much pressure on
way, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna,
confident and secure in who I am than
men and women, especially in the case
and it's great to be able to work with
when I was in my 20s. I would never
of single parents. Life always involves
women like that:'
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n a perfect world, Nona Hendryx
never made the same album twice-a
would be in the Rock & Roll Hall of
commercial hazard, perhaps, but also
Fame and on the cover of Essence.
a testament to her artistry. Over the
She would be considered legendary
years, she has dabbled in everything
not just by black rockers and NYC
from dance rock to New Age music to
I
hipsters but by the general public
straight-up soul-and she has worked
(and certainly by women the world
with artists as diverse as Keith Rich-
over). She would be signed to a major
ards, Laurie Anderson, Billy ("At This
label, and you would be able to hear
Moment") Vera, members of Chic, and
her songs on the radio. But if there's
Peter Baumann of Tangerine Dream.
anything we can be sure of-especially after last year's election-it's
that
we don't live in a perfect world.
Now 73, Hendryx shows no signs
of slowing down; if anything, she is
shifting into high gear! In late 2017,
The basics: Hendryx was born in
she and the seemingly ubiquitous
New Jersey, an artsy kid from the
guitarist Gary Lucas collaborated on
word go. By the early 1960s, she was
The World of Captain Beefheart. This
one-quarter of the popular girl group
new album, recorded in lower Man-
Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, and
hattan, finds Hendryx and Lucas cov-
she stayed with them through their
ering a dozen songs by the legendary
radical transformation in the '70s. As
blues-rock experimentalist Don Van
Labelle, (now a trio: LaBelle, Hendryx,
Vliet (AKA Captain Beefheart), who
and Sarah Dash) the group became
passed away in 2010. "I've been a fan
something of a funk-rock phenom-
since I saw him play in New York in
enon, issuing several well-received
the '70s;' she remembers. "Other than
albums and scoring a number-one
Sonny Rollins or maybe [Frank] Zap-
single with the classic "Lady Mar-
pa, I hadn't heard anything like that
malade!' After their breakup, Patti
before.... I couldn't believe my ears,
LaBelle obviously launched a very
you know, because it was such a ca-
successful solo career. But there's
cophony of sound. Not like anything
no question that the most interest-
else. And lyrically-because
ing career-for 40 years and count-
lyrics - it was like, 'What?!? What are
ing-has
I love
belonged to Hendryx. She
you singing about?' There was just
was Labelle's risk taker, renaissance
something there [and] I was hooked.
woman, and space-age spirit. Her
Still am .... You know, I always liked
self-titled debut, released in 1977,
Zappa, and I looked into John Cage
was a critically acclaimed disc that
[and] Wendy Carlos. I'm very interest-
leaned toward hard rock. But Hend-
ed in that kind of post-beatnik thing.
ryx has avoided categorization and
I'm old enough to remember the beat-
to remember the beatniks. It was peo-
always [placed] in the category of R&B
ple who wore turtlenecks and berets
or soul;' she says, explaining its gene-
and did poetry...l think I wanted to be
sis. "Other than Spotify, they don't have
that [even as a kid]. I'd grown out of
funk as a category [anymore]. How
wanting to be Annette Funicello, you
long have we been doing funk music?
know, and do Beach Blanket Bingo;'
And funk really is a hybrid of R&B and
she says with a laugh.
rock, in a way. Think of Funkadelic. I
But the Beefheart tribute is just one
mean, how could you not have a cate-
of the projects that keep Hendryx busy.
gory [with] George Clinton? Earth, Wind
She's also readying an EP she did with
& Fire is not an R&B group. Labelle
the Boston-based electronic funk duo
was not an R&B group ....We were not
Soul Clap. But the biggest project she
allowed to be in rock [but] we didn't
will be unveiling in 2018 is a residency
really fit in R&B. [And] there are a lot
at Joe's Pub, one of the hippest and
of women who are funk rockers who
most diverse venues in NYC and an
don't get noticed! Because there's no
extension of the Public Theater. Hend-
category for them. So [often] they're
ryx has been named the first recipient
sort of cattle-prodded into being R&B....
of the venue's Vanguard Residency-
That has always been an issue. And it's
which means that she will basically
not the artists who are saying it, it's the
have free rein (and the money) to stage
industry that says 'This is this and that
monthly events of her choosing for a
is that:
full year. "It was an honor to be the first
"So I'm going to do Rock Solid Women
person to be asked [to do this]:' she
because there are many [women] in the
tells me. And I guess what it means is
NY area who nobody sees:•she contin-
that there is a community here in New
ues. ''They're like the Invisible Woman.
York that I think a lot of people don't
Not the Invisible Man but the Invisible
feel, and [that] I think I missed for some
Woman. So I wanna make them visible.
time. [So] it was really nice to find out
You know, start at Joe's Pub, maybe
that it's still there, and that it is an ex-
end up doing a tour ....l have to keep cre-
tension of what Joseph Papp started
ating a category for myself. Because I
in the beginning. So to be given this
don't do R&B; I think I do something
honor, and the financial consideration
much more akin to rock. So that's what
that comes with it-and the support to
that is for. I'm planting this flag, saying
present not only myself but other art-
these rock solid women are here and
ists-you know, I really feel grateful:'
should be recognized:'
One of the events Hendryx will be
Amen, sister!
staging at Joe's (in the spring) is an
evening called Rock Solid Women. "I'm
nonahendryx.com
Formorethan45 years,lesbian
travel company Olivia has taken more than 200,000 women
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olivia.com
TRAVEL I OLIVIA
Cruising
Central
America
From the Panama Canal to
Costa Rica with Olivia Travel.
Jen McDowell
had dreamed of visiting the Pan-
I
the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific
ama Canal ever since we studied
Ocean. It was one of the largest and
know;' said a woman next to me on
it in high school, so when Olivia
most difficult engineering projects
deck, "I've seen so much already
Travel offered me a last-minute
ever undertaken. Over the course
that I could go home tomorrow sat-
spot on board their Panama Canal
of our journey, our vessel would be
isfied:' I was tempted to agree with
as the sun was starting to set. "You
to Costa Rica cruise, I jumped at
raised 85 feet up from sea level in
her, until I remembered that ahead
the chance. I flew into Panama City,
the Atlantic to the level of the Gatun
of us lay Costa Rica.
where I connected with my fellow
Lake in Panama, then travel through
After a few days on board, we
seafarers for the short bus ride to
the manmade Culebra Cut, then be
were all ready for a little beach time.
meet our ship in Colon, on the east
lowered back down to sea level to
Fortunately, our first stop was a pri-
coast of Panama.
emerge in the Pacific Ocean.
vate island. We anchored off an iso-
The Wind Star, a beautifully appointed sailing yacht with
148
Our transit took all day, giving us
lated little bay, and the ship provid-
plenty of time to geek out on en-
ed everything else we might want,
lucky women aboard, proudly flew
gineering feats and to admire the
including massage tents, kayaks,
both the Gay Pride and Olivia flags.
scenery and wildlife on the Isthmus
paddleboards, a full bar, and enough
We spent that first evening unpack-
of Panama. A naturalist was on
food for a BBQ feast. Best of all, we
ing, getting to know one another,
board to point out the significant
had the place to ourselves-our
meeting the Olivia staff, and enjoy-
landmarks and to help identify the
own Central American version of
ing our first taste of the entertain-
wildlife.
the Isle of Lesbos.
ment: comedians Lisa Koch and
Sandra Valls.
On deck, some women were lean-
The next day we were in Puerto
ing off the railing with their binoc-
Jimenez, a small town at the south
Considered by the American So-
ulars and cameras, while others
end of the Osa Peninsula. This was
ciety of Civil Engineers to be one of
were content to relax in the hot tub.
our first big chance for excursions
the Seven Wonders of the Modern
We made it under the Bridge of the
and most of my fellow Olivia cruis-
World, the Panama Canal connects
Americas and out to the Pacific just
ers ventured out to kayak through
76 CURVE
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TRAVEL I OLIVIA
the mangroves, sail through pods
On the final day of our cruise we
of wild dolphins, or visit the local
docked in Quepos, a former banana
chocolate farms. But some of my
exporting town and the gateway
new friends and I opted to explore
to Manuel Antonio National Park,
the town instead. We found the lo-
where the rainforests lead right
cals to be warm, friendly, and more
up to white sand beaches, and you
than happy to help us with our
can cool off in the Pacific after
shopping. The prices were cheap
your nature hike.
and we were able to stock up on
There were also plenty of excur-
gifts for friends back home-arts
sions to choose from and I want-
and crafts, jewelry, woven goods-
ed to check off one more item on
with plenty of time left over for ta-
my bucket list, so I headed into
cos and beer before heading back
the canopy to try zip-lining. Har-
to the ship.
nessed up and helmet on, I stood
By daybreak we were anchored
off another beautiful bay, Bahia
at the edge of a platform high up
in the trees. A brief moment ofter-
point to
ror gave way to an afternoon of joy
Corcovado National Park, which
and exhilaration as I glided through
Drake, our stepping-off
describes
trees and over ravines, spotting
as "the most biologically intense
sloths and monkeys, and enjoying
place on Earth."
a whole new level of the rainforest.
National
Geographic
I joined one of the hikes and from
Back on the ship that evening
the moment we entered the isolat-
the mood turned nostalgic. Our
ed reserve it was clear that this
cruise director, Jill Cruse, treated
old-growth rainforest is teeming
us to a slideshow of photos, and it
with biodiversity. We spotted scar-
was hard to believe we had lived so
let macaws right away, and before
much in one week. We hadn't just
we had walked another 200 yards
seen the sights; we had shared
we encountered sloths, monkeys,
experiences together. As I looked
poison dart frogs, a golden orb spi-
around the room, I realized that
der, countless reptiles, butterflies,
each of the 148 women on board
and insects. Back on the ship that
felt like family. I'm still in touch
evening, the dining room was alive
with many of the friends I made,
with women sharing stories and
and we are looking forward to our
photos of their personal rainforest
next Olivia adventure together.
experiences.
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ike many people, I made a
L
to stand with our feet rooted in the
New Year's resolution to get
earth as the sounds of the waves
healthy, lose weight, and take
fill my ears. The sun comes up over
better care of myself. I started off
the mountains behind us, sparkling
strong with a strict cleanse and a
on the water in front of us, and I feel
tough exercise regime but within a
more awake and alive than I have all
couple weeks I was cheating, and
year.
by the time February came around I
was back to my old habits.
Monday: Getting up for Sunrise
Yoga is easier this morning, now
My girlfriend and I had planned an
that I know what is in store. Richelle
Olivia resort vacation in Mexico that
takes us through another gentle
spring. I was excited to get away,
empowering sequence, and today
but also frustrated with myself that I
I keep the yummy feeling going by
wouldn't be in the bikini shape I had
staying for the meditation class af-
hoped for.
terwards. In the afternoon, my girl-
When we heard that Olivia had
friend and I take a break from the
added a Mind, Body & Spirit program
sun and attend a Healthy Eating talk
to our week, I was intrigued. I knew
in one of the ballrooms. No strict
it was too late for this season's biki-
cleanses here, only advice on small
ni body, but I decided to give it a try
changes and simple recipes to in-
anyway. Here's how it went:
ject more fresh ingredients into our
Saturday: We arrive at the resort
lifestyle.
and instantly go into vacation mode.
Tuesday: I'm on a roll with the
The resort is beautiful and it is filled
yoga and the meditation. I feel so
with so many women! We hit the bar
good that my girlfriend is inspired
and the pool and I forget all about
to join the Butch Yoga class after
being healthy until I see the extra
breakfast. While she is busy with
program in our room. Olivia has their
that, I sit in on a talk about mindful-
original schedule of pool games,
ness and self-care. This evening, I fit
parties, comedy shows, and all the
in some time for Sunset Yoga right
fun things. The Mind, Body & Spirit
before getting ready for dinner and
program is a free extra layer on top
the show.
of everything else, filled with yoga,
Wednesday:I shamelessly sleep
meditation, workouts, and lectures. I
in this morning. This is what self-
start to worry. Have I overscheduled
care looks like, right? Besides, danc-
my vacation? Will getting healthy
ing all night last night to DJ Rock-
get in the way of having fun?
away was definitely healthy. In the
Sunday:The alarm rings way too
afternoon, Gina Breedlove's Sound
early, and I quietly curse to myself
Healing session gets me to create
as I fumble for my workout clothes
harmony within my body, and then I
in the dark. Out by the beach, our in-
take in a Strength Training class to
structor, Richelle Donigan, guides us
round out my day.
SPRING
I
CURVE 81
TRAVEL I OLIVIA
Thursday: I'm back at early yoga
Saturday: As we head to the air-
and meditation today. I realize that
port for the trip back home, I reflect
all these extra classes have not been
on how much better and happier I
getting in the way of our vacation at
feel. I have new friends, a killer sun-
all. We can pick and choose what we
tan, a morning yoga routine, some
White-sand beaches,turquoise
want and still have plenty of time to
fresh recipes to try, and a positive
waters, some of the best snor-
swim in the ocean and make new
vision of my future.
keling in the world, all the food
friends by the pool.
Olivia's
Cancun,
Mexico
ResortMay1g-26, 2018
Back in January, all the cleanses
and beverages you can dream
Friday: It's the last full day at the
and exercise had only made me feel
of, top-notch entertainment,
resort, and we try to do everything.
deprived, stressed, and hangry. Now
and Olivia's all-new Mind, Body
Yoga, meditation, strength training,
I have a new resolution. I resolve to
& Spirit Retreat featuring med-
nutrition, mindfulness. In the after-
be gentle with myself, to be mind-
itation sessions, motivational
noon, we take a Vision Workshop
ful of what is nourishing to my own
lectures, tennis, pickleball, and
with Richelle, and I envision incorpo-
body and soul, and to coordinate my
kickboxing clinics, and sports
rating the tools I've learned here into
next vacation with the next Olivia
and life workshops.
my everyday life back home.
Mind, Body and Spirit program.
82 CURVE
I
SPRING
CURVE
LIVING
TRUE
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MASTHEAD
CURVE
LIVING
TRUE
Spring2018 » volume28 number 2
Publisher Silke Bader
Founding Publisher Frances Stevens
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Merryn Johns
Senior Copy Editor Katherine Wright
Contributing Editors Victoria A. Brownworth, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo,
Janelle and Melany Joy Beck, Gillian Kendall, Dave Steinfeld
Editorial Assistants Gemma Dart
OPERATIONS
Director of Operations Jeannie Sotheran
PROOFING
Proofreader Melanie Barker
ADVERTISING
National Sales Rivendell Media (908) 232-2021
Email todd@curvemagazine.com
ART/PRODUCTION
Art Director Bruno Cesar Guimaraes
COVER
Cover Image of Cate Blanchett from Kathryn Del Barton's film "RED"
Photo Credit: Mark Rogers/ Aquarius Films
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Gemma Dart
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melanie Barker, Chloe Curran, Amy Deneson, Erika Feinman, Merryn Johns,
Sassafras Lowrey, Jennifer McDowell, Dave Steinfeld, Lisa Tedesco
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS& PHOTOGRAPHERS
Indu Antony, Grace Chu, Shelby Coley, Sheryl Kay,
Syd London, B. Proud, Robin Roemer, Mark Rogers, Jay Sullivan
CONTACT
Curve Magazine
PO Box 1099
Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia
Phone (415) 871-0569
Subscription Inquiries (800) 705-0070 (toll-free in US only)
Advertising Email todd@curvemagazine.com
Editorial Email editor@curvemag.com
Letters to the Editor Email letters@curvemagazine.com
Volume 28 Issue 2 Curve (ISSN !087-867X) is published 4 times per year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) by Avalon
Media, LLC, PO 1099 Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia. Subscription price: $35/year, $49 Canadian (U.S. funds
only) and $75 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 necessarily represent
the opinions of the editor, unless specifically stated. All magazines sent discreetly. Subscription Inquiries: Please
write to Curve, Avalon Media LLC., PO Box 1099 Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia, email jeannie@curvemag.com
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Box 17138, N. Hollywood, CA 91615-7138. Printed in the U.S
curvemag.com
4 CURVE
SPRING
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power with this bold new line of sex-positive, feminist-inspired intimates.
Vocation: Meet the
Woman Behind Martial
Arts Inspired Fitness.
Fitness instructor Mo Yvonne has taken
her martial arts background and applied
it to everyday fitness goals.
Style: A Revolution in
Menswear by GenderQueer Women.
Indie label Krammer & Stoudt opened
New York Men's Fashion Week with a
cast of all women models, making a mark
on the fashion industry.
6 CURVE
I
SPRING
Cover: Why We Love
Everything That Cate
Blanchett Does.
Food Revolution: A
Taste of Jen Biesty's
Mediterranean Fusion.
The A-list, Oscar-winning actor claimed
a permanent place in our hearts with the
film Carol, but we love her for plenty of
other reasons, too.
Style Icons: West Coast
Wellbeing and Health
With Sand Spa.
The out Oakland Top Chef alum is a
working parent and a culinary visionary, delighting locals with her restaurant,
Shakewell.
Owned by a millennial lesbian couple,
Sand Spa is the perfect way to remind
you to take care of yourself-and
meet
some #CoupleGoals.
SPRING
I
CURVE 7
OUR TEAM
Contributors
AnitaDolce
Vita
Menswear Trends
Gillian
Kendall
ErikaFeinman
Lesbian Elder Care
Lesbian Community
Jennifer
McDowell
Travel with Olivia
AnitaDolceVita
GillianKendall
Anita is the owner and creative director of dapperQ,
Gillian is an American-Australian writer who has lived
a queer style and empowerment online magazine for
in five countries and eight states. She writes travel,
masculine-presenting women and trans-identified indi-
nonfiction, fiction, essays, and memoirs. She has writ-
viduals. dapperQ was among the first digital spaces to
ten a number of books, and contributed to numerous
champion "menswear" for those under-servedby main-
publications including The Sun, Curvemagazine, and
stream media and designers. Anita's fashion shows
CurveMag.com where her column Long-Lived Les-
and writing have been featured in VanityFair,the New
bians focuses on the achievements and challenges
YorkTimes,Vice, HBO,TeenVogue,Harper'sBazaar,New
of older lesbians.
YorkMagazine,Nylon,and many more.
ErikaFeinman
JenniferMcDowell
Erika is a Program & Research Assistant at the
Jennifer is an avid traveler and a former Olivia Trav-
Center for the Study of Social Policy at the George
el staff member. During her tenure with Olivia she
Washington University from which she earned a
enjoyed over 80 trips and visited more than 50
bachelor of Arts in Women's Studies and Political
countries.
Science. She won the 2017 Olivia Scholartrip essay
member or leader, Jen has always appreciated the
writing competition with her entry on the subject
sense of freedom and community that traveling with
of the importance of businesses that focus on the
Olivia provides. When not traveling the world, she
lesbian community.
resides in San Francisco.
8 CURVE
I
SPRING
Whether traveling
as a guest, staff
WELCOME
Editorial
Newbeginnings,
a
freshapproach,
and
inspiring
ideasto
sustain
usforthe
restoftheyear.
pring is the perfect time for new beginnings, a
Editorin Chief
S
fresh approach, and inspiring ideas to sustain us
for the rest of the year. And so we're very pleased
Merryn Johns
to present the official relaunch issue of Curve! We hope
you enjoy the new look-and
the new quality-which
makes reading the magazine in print even more enjoyable
than it was before.
We couldn't think of a better person to grace our cover
this issue than Cate Blanchett, star of our favorite lesbian
movie, Carol. Plus, we have interviews with rising songstress Lauren Ruth Ward, the legendary Nona Hendryx,
and insight from out political analyst Masha Gessen.
We also focus on fitness, well-being, interior design, and
style-and we welcome travel partner Olivia to share their
upcoming vacations and adventures with us. Enjoy!
merryn@curvemag.com
41y
SPRING
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CURVE 9
WOMEN WE LOVE
10 CURVE
I sPRING
WOMEN WE LOVE
Rapsody
WhereShe's
From
stage alongside soul diva Aretha Frank-
Snow Hill, North Carolina. From her hum-
lin, Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, and
ble beginnings as Marianna Evans and
Terri Lyne Carrington in honor of the late
part of rap collective Kooley High, to
Prince.
now being recognized by the Recording
Academy, Rapsody's rise to major player
MusicWith aMessage
as a hip-hop artist is spectacular.
"I want to be an artist that shows women
that they do have a choice to be respect-
WhyShe's
Getting
Raves
ed for their talent alone and not because
The double Grammy nominee garnered
of looks or gender:' she says. "The only
acclaim with her solo album Latia's Wis-
thing that matters is that you are dope."
dom, about love, resilience and female
Her message resonates in a cultural cli-
heavy-
mate where MeToo and Black Lives Mat-
Kendrick Lamar. Awarded not
ter are reshaping women's power in soci-
one but two Grammy nominations for
ety. Rapsody continues to break barriers
Laila's Wisdom, and the other for her sin-
and her rise is inspiration for female em-
gle, "Sassy." Rapsody joins an elite cat-
cees who haven't had the same opportu-
egory of only four other female emcees
nities as their male counterparts.
empowerment,
weight
featuring
rap
including Missy Elliott, Eve, Nicki Minaj
and Iggy Azalea, who have each earned
What'sNext
a solo album nomination for Best Rap
Rapsody is confirmed to take center
Album (since the academy added the
stage at Club Skirts Dinah Shore Week-
category in 1996).
end (March 28-April 2, 2018). The break-
HighNotes
the main stage at Sunday's hugely popu-
Along with an exclusive group of artists,
lar all-day event held at The Hilton Hotel
out star will be closing the festival on
Rapsody had the privilege to be invit-
in downtown Palm Springs. Catch her
ed to the White House by former Presi-
while you can!
dent Barack Obama, and she joined jazz
great Herbie Hancock to perform at the
International Jazz Fest. She graced the
thedinah.com
SPRING
I
CURVE 11
COVET I MAKEUP
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Each RealHer product is inscribed with a
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you each day of your strength and mission in life-to be your authentic self and
feel confident in your own identity rather
than trying to live up to an imposed ideal.
Not only is this line of products natural
and vegan-it's
cruelty-free, too. Plus,
20 percent of all proceeds are donated
to organizations that empower women.
Founder Bill Xiang wanted to create a
beauty brand that sent a positive feminist message to his daughter. "RealHer
started as a desire to create a better
social environment for my little girl," he
says. RealHer's newest launch includes
a Metallic Liquid Lipstick in three inspiring shades, Be You, Be Bold and Be
Brave, and the Blush Kit, Be Fearless,
Be Limitless.
realher.com
12 CURVE
I
SPRING
COVET I INTI MATES
Nasty women rejoice! These undies aim
Power
to
thePussy
to reverse the way the word "pussy" has
been appropriated by men and turn it
from a negative into a positive word,
reclaiming it from the mouths of guys
like Donald Trump. Having a pussy is
powerful, not a weakness, and embracing your sexuality is not something to
be ashamed of, which is why Lust, an
Erika Lust has launched kick-ass
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0
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a:;
u
14 CURVE
I
SPRING
TRENDS
I
LIQUOR
Revolutionar
Spirit
y
From the heart of the agave to the center of the resistance.
exico's
finest
beverage
Betty Who performed, which was just
is making a stand for the
incredible. There was so much love
she says. "We describe it as a mouth-
LGBTQ community.
llegal
and support for the organization, and
ful of agave with a hint of smoke. You
Mezcal, an artisanal brand, is bigger
thoughtful words spoken about the
can really taste the time it takes to pro-
than simply a shot of hard liquor to get
brutal political climate'.'
duce llegal Mezcal. Our commitment to
M
Sip, shoot, drink it however you like;'
the party started. It also offers com-
Rexer's spirit of resistance is strong.
sustainability and working with produc-
munity, activism and events, and has
"I'm quite proud of our campaign
ers who have been making mezcal for
attracted a loyal following of artists,
against Donald Trump-llegal's
generations is a clear part of the expe-
musicians, writers and travelers, many
ald Eres Un Pendejo" (Donald Is An
of whom are LGBTQ. The company's
Asshole) campaign will be one of the
So if you feel frustrated by Trump's
headquarters are a stone's throw from
most epic stories of my professional
treatment of women, give him the mid-
the historic Stonewall Inn. As well
career'.'The street campaign was de-
dle finger the next time you go to a bar.
as organizing events and supporting
signed on the spot and the llegal crew
Rexer recommends a cold beer and a
Pride, The Trevor Project and the Mag-
had it up on the streets of New York
shot of llegal Joven to get started. And
ic City Acceptance Center in Alabama
within 48 hours of Trump announcing
get llegal's events on your radar. "We'll
for LGBTQ youth, llegal has launched
his run for the presidency. "We put it
continue the "DonaldEres Un Pendejo"
inspired attacks on the Trump adminis-
out there because we felt like we had
campaign for as long as we need. We're
tration and other right-wing forces, such
to say something and respond to the
also working on an immigration dinner
as Chik-fil-A. It donates portions of mer-
horrible things he said. It is now an
series as well as movie and mezcal
chandising proceeds to select charities.
international, viral campaign that was
gatherings;' says Rexer.
Kaylan Rexer, llegal's brand director
awarded the Gold Honor Shorty Award
and a self-described "troublemaker,' is
for Brand Identity. We've also raised
"Don-
an out activist, and the niece of llegal
a lot of money for various charities
Mezcal owner John Rexer. As a teen
through the campaign;' says Rexer.
she traveled to Guatemala where she
"Knowing I work with a brand that is
"played music, tasted mezcal and fell
not afraid to make a statement is an
in love with the group of creatives who
incredible feeling-and it's fantastic to
were drawn to llegal'.' She eventually
have that statement align so closely
joined the business and now oversees
with my own political leanings'.'
llegal's design and marketing, helping to
build community around the brand.
"I'm
personally passionate
about
rience'.'
ilegalmezcal.com
If you know tequila but are new to
mezcal, Rexer breaks it down for you.
"Both mezcal and tequila are agave
supporting LGBTQ initiatives and re-
based (although different species of
productive rights;' says Rexer,who has
agave) so they are similar. But tequila
helped organize a Planned Parenthood
is generally cooked in a more indus-
benefit concert series, as well as an an-
trial way these days, while the beauty
nual Pride Party which raises money for
of mezcal is its artisanal production
LGBTQinitiatives each year. "We raised
process. It is truly handmade, which
over $15,000 for Planned Parenthood.
gives it a rustic and beautiful flavor.
SPRING
I
CURVE 15
FITNESS I IN HER OWN WORDS
T
he gym is my home. I first
down on it. I just knew two things: I
picked up weights when I was
love training, and it helps people.
12 years old, when my karate
One of the kung fu styles that I
teacher took me to Harbor Fitness in
practice is ving tsun. It is the only
Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. By 14, I'd bought
martial art that was developed by a
weights and created a gym at home.
woman. She was a Shaolin nun, and
At 16, I started working for Harbor Fit-
created this close combat style as a
ness so I could get a free gym mem-
means of self-defense for young girls.
bership. Regardless of what I was
The most famous figure in ving tsun
going through in life, from my teens to
is Bruce Lee, who learned it from his
adulthood, I've always had the gym as
sifu (kung fu teacher), Ip Man. Though
my mental home base. The moment
I think all women should learn ving
I touch a dumbbell, it's the start of an
tsun, I think it is just one of the two
emotional meditation, and my body
martial arts that women should prac-
feels loved and cared for.
tice to improve their health. The other
I identifyas a butch lesbian.I am
is tai chi. It is extremely powerful when
single, and looking for a monogamous
done correctly. It is more than the slow
relationship with a partner who can
moving you see at the park; it can be
balance my energy but share a similar
very dynamic. Your qi (or vital force)
foundation. As a kung fu martial artist,
becomes very strong, and will carry
I think in terms of energy balance, even
over and give you energy throughout
in romantic relationships. I hope to find
your day.
someone who has opposite strengths
My philosophyis to do whatworks.
and weaknesses; however, I want us to
There have been so many fads since I
share similar morals and values.
first entered the gym 18 years ago. Ev-
I was workingon a degreein exer-
eryone is different-so the best way to
cise scienceat the University of San
achieve fitness might be different for
Francisco when I gave up my schol-
each of my clients. If something isn't
arship, due to the school's Don't Ask,
working, I change it. I re-evaluate the
Don't Tell policy. I didn't have much of
baseline requirements for what we're
a plan; I just knew that I couldn't live in
targeting and form a new program.
an environment that put me back in the
Staying open-minded to different fit-
closet. I'd only come out a few months
ness ideologies has made my work
before. One day I thought I was going
with clients effective because I'm not
to be a soldier; the next day I was look-
afraid to throw out a program and try
ing for a job to repay the scholarship
other things. My clients appreciate
money. Training was the only thing that
that I'm willing to journey with them
felt natural. I used to teach karate and
to see how the workouts and diets are
train friends just for fun, so I became a
changing them.
professional trainer even though most
Obesityratesare higherin the les-
people who cared about me looked
bian communitythan in any other
16
CURVE
I sPRI NG
FITNESS I IN HER OWN WORDS
group.Though I believe in loving your
body and not having to hold yourself
to ridiculous media standards, I also
believe that we need to have healthy
baselines to prevent illnesses such as
diabetes and heart disease. I started
working out as a kid to feel strong,
because it made me feel good-not to
look hot or to get girls. I think we need
to redirect our attitude toward fitness,
and see the need to work out as a way
to live happier and healthier lives. Fitness is something that you do for you,
not for anyone else.
I treatmy clientsthe waymy martial
artsteacherstreatedme. I see personal training as more than just a one-hour
session, more than just a financial
transaction. I am here for my clients
because I understand that they take
care of me as well, and not just monetarily. I know fitness is for a lifetime,
and I am not afraid to refer them out to
other trainers, or to other forms of fitness training. I think I understand what
I can do to help them-and I love them
enough to make sure they get their
needs met. That's what sets me apart
from other trainers. I know my clients
appreciate that I am quick to refer them
to a sports medicine specialist instead
of just guessing about what is causing
their pain, or to a marathon running
coach instead of pretending that I am
the best coach for that specific goal.
In the end, I know that as long as I do
my job well, and I care about my clients
more than I care about money, I will
have a successful career.
movewithmo.com
18
CURVE
I sPRI NG
SHOPPING
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--------------------------------------~--------------------------------------SPRING
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19
RANT
I ELDERCARE
Lesbian
Caregiving
20
CURVE
I
SPRING
I ELDERCARE
RANT
even years ago, at age 50,
gle, was peace of mind, though I
I moved from Melbourne,
paid a high price for it. Because of
Australia, to a small island
my efforts, both my parents could
off Florida, where my mother and
stay in their home until the end of
father lived. Full of confidence, I
their lives. Each of them died in a
said, ''I'm going to take care of my
hospice, but until that time they
parents;' sure that I was doing the
were right where they wanted to
right thing, and that doing the right
be, in the house they'd lived in for
S
thing would be rewarding and sat-
20 years, because I provided for
isfying.
them. I found, hired, and managed
Acting out of love, I was willing
to make sacrifices-my
Australia;
home in
my challenging,
caregivers for several years. By the
end of my mother's life (she died a
fasci-
year after my father), I was running
nating work as a parliamentary
two households, mine and hers,
reporter; my income. But I had no
and hiring, firing, scheduling, and
idea, then, how much more I would
managing more than six employ-
have to give up. Over the next sev-
ees. I rarely had a day off, let alone
en years, I broke up with my part-
a vacation. I was on call, and was
ner of 13 years, damaged the good
called, 24 hours a day.
relationships I'd had with my sib-
In my suffering, struggle, and
lings, and gave up all my free time.
confusion, and in my feelings of
I spent all the money I'd saved, as
helplessness and loneliness, I was
well as all the money I earned in
not unusual. Millions of Americans
those seven years. I suffered from
are caregivers, and the majority of
loneliness;
those are women. According to the
itating,
insomnia;
nerve-wracking
and debilpanic at-
2015 statistics
from the National
tacks. In the last years before my
Alliance for Caregiving and AARP,
mother died, I cried not just every
some 34.2 million Americans had
day but many times a day: Often,
provided care to elderly persons
I not only fell asleep crying but
(over 50) without
woke up crying.
My physical health suffered too:
compensation
in the previous year, and some 9
percent of those caregivers were
I suffered from plantar fasciitis
LGBT. So that's approximately
in both feet and lost the ability to
million queers whose lives, rela-
walk without pain. Because I so of-
tionships, homes, jobs, and plans
ten cooked for and ate with my par-
for the future were disrupted or
ents, I stopped being a vegetarian,
destroyed by the monumental task
and I put on 25 pounds.
of caregiving-a
What I gained, after all that strug-
3
difficult and dan-
gerous undertaking for which there
SPRING
I
CURVE 21
RANT
I ELDERCARE
is no training, no preparation, and
him. Though the move came at
PTSD (post-traumatic
usually very little
considerable
order)."
support.
No
personal
expense
stress dis-
wonder I went mad.
and inconvenience, Jensen says,
I myself have somehow sur-
Was it worth it?
"It's an honor to take care of my
vived the death of my parents, but
Yes, according to Valerie Perry,
dad. He's my buddy."
with difficulty.
Shortly after my
of Valrico, Fla., who was her moth-
About being a lesbian caregiver,
mother's funeral, I lost a life-long
er's caregiver until early 2018. "It
Jensen says, "Often we [gay peo-
lover to cancer; after that loss, I
comes as a big surprise for a lot
ple] have more bandwidth to help
was paralyzed for a long time. It
of people my age (63 when she
older family members-some of us
took three months before I could
started], who have no clue about
are single and don't have children,
get through an afternoon without
how much work is involved, or
for instance." While her father was
having to go back to bed and cry.
how to look after an elderly per-
in a rehab facility, Jensen visited
It was six months before I experi-
son. I didn't have a clue, even
him daily, and often took him out
enced a single day without a sig-
about who to call first. Even peo-
for entertainment or on errands. "I
nificant breakdown. And it took
ple who have been mothers don't
took him to vote, even though he
nine months before I could decide
know. I'd been a mother, so I knew
voted for someone I abhor, Trump.
on a plan of action for getting on
about sacrifice, being on call at
He had the right to do it, and I was
with my life.
all times, but I didn't know how
glad to support my father."
to take care of an elderly person.
In November 2017, I started an
Jensen has enjoyed spending
is now
eight-month course at a massage
With a child, you can plan on it.
time with her father-who
You've got at least nine months to
doing very well, and once again
decision I've ever made, not to
get your life in order." But the on-
living at home-but
mention a very expensive one, but
set of caregiving is often sudden,
ing has been challenging.
"For
it has been the right one. I once
says caregiv-
school. It was the most difficult
sometimes because of an emer-
me, the hardest part has been liv-
again have a reason to get out
gency. Still, despite the difficulty,
ing with my mom, and feeling at
of bed in the morning. I'm bliss-
Perry says, "I am eternally grate-
times that she's treating me like a
ful that I am not responsible for
ful for the opportunity and know
kid again." Living once again un-
anyone else's meals, doctor's ap-
it has prepared me for my own ag-
der her parents' roof,and by their
pointments,
ing. Sharing those last years with
rules, has put additional pressure
happiness.
her was a gift."
on Jensen at an already difficult
Mo Jensen, a 45-year-old lesbi-
time, but she feels she's made the
house-cleaning,
or
And about those 25 pounds I
lost-no
coincidence,
I started
an writer, moved from North Car-
right decision. "I'm grateful for ev-
dating again. I've been amazed
olina to Washington state during
ery day I have with him-even if he
that I can again enjoy romance
her separation from her partner
did vote for Trump!"
and intimacy.
of 10 years. Her divorce coincid-
It's delightful
to
Valerie Perry lost her mother
be with someone and not be the
ed with the alarming discovery
early in 2018, but says she is far
caregiver but an equal partner in
that her father had an inoperable
from recovered. "It takes a lot lon-
a give-and-take of care and en-
brain tumor, and Jensen made the
ger than a few months to get over
joyment. Once again, I am acting
cross-country
it. For me, there are elements of
out of love.
22
CURVE
move to be with
I
SPRING
RANT I ELDERCARE
AreYouA Caregiver?
Here's
Some
Advice
0
There
isnorightwaytocareforan
elderly
person.
help so that I could take care of myself. I
could barely ever take even one day off! I
Sure, there are some obvious guidelines
became annoyed at everyone who cheer-
(no abuse of the person you're caring for,
fully dispensed such advice.
no abuse of substances, no self-harm), but
One night I found solace in a dream in
no one can tell you the best way to help
friend to be
which a voice told me that if I "courted
happy and safe. Hire caregivers? Ask for
joy," I might find some, but if I didn't even
help from family? Do it all yourself? Live
try, I would have none. After that, I started
with your loved one, or live alone? Keep
to seek out opportunities
your day job, or give it up? People will try
joined a 12-step program and a church; I
to tell you, but I found that to answer these
went to the beach more often; I adopted a
your mother/father/elderly
for happiness: I
questions I had to listen to my own heart
cat. What I did not do: drink, take drugs,
and conscience.
have mindless sex. Your mileage may vary,
but most caregivers need something to
0
It'sOK
tobeangry,
andtobereadyfor
thedeathofthepersonyou'retaking
careof..
help them cope and endure.
0
It doesn'tlastforever.
It was years before I could admit, to a
The worst part of my struggle was not
trusted counselor, that I wanted my par-
knowing when-or
ents to die. It wasn't, I explained, that I
After I'd been caring for my parents for
wanted them to suffer. I just wanted my life
five or six years, I began to fear that
back. My counselor told me that such feel-
they were immortal. But they weren't.
ings were extremely common, and nothing
At the six-and-a-half
even if-it
would end.
year mark, my
to be ashamed of. I also became familiar
mother passed away, leaving me with
with another term, "anticipatory grief;' or
just the "business" of death to deal
mourning that begins before a death.
with. Nothing in my life will ever be as
hard as the last year of her life was, be-
0
Findwhatevergoodyoucan.
"Take care of yourself;'
the
cause now I never again have to worry
people
about her. Now, the only caretaking I
around me kept saying, with the best in-
have to do is for myself-and
tentions, but virtually no one offered to
pretty good job.
I'm doing a
SPRING
I
CURVE 23
COMMUNITY
24 CURVE
I
SPRING
COMMUNITY
Lesbian
Spaces
AreNotJustaPhase
But do we love our community enough to save it?
ErikaFeinman
P
hase 1 was the nation's old-
Miley Cyrus and other LGBTQ+women
in the same way older generations did.
est lesbian bar and the last
gracing our screens. We grew up with
This is also a business opportunity to
remaining lesbian bar in Wash-
Human Rights Campaign stickers on
reinvigorate a consumer base that has
ington, D.C. It closed its doors for good
our laptops and listening to Katy Per-
not yet been tapped into. Businesses
in the winter of 2016 and, unfortunate-
ry's "I Kissed a Girl:' This is not to say
hoping to engage with a lesbian con-
ly, this happened well before I turned
that we do not have a long way to go
sumer base need to craft a compelling,
21. The closing of Phase 1 was cer-
to advance the rights of the LGBTQ+
fresh narrative that appeals to today's
tainly sad for many people my age, but
community, because we do and I do
lesbian community. This new narrative
it did not leave a hole in our hearts or
not want to downplay how much work
needs to successfully demonstrate
in our social calendars the way it likely
we have left. However, previous gener-
why they need lesbian businesses and
did for older lesbians. It would be near
ations made great strides that led us
why they should support them. While
impossible to miss something we nev-
to where we are today, which is with
this will certainly be challenging, there
er got to experience. Last year, I took a
a significantly
exist significant opportunities to revive
more mainstreamed
class in lesbian history, which focused
LGBTQ+ movement. In other words,
on some of the history of lesbian busi-
lesbians often do not feel that they
nesses and communities. I started to
need businesses
notice when lesbian businesses con-
meet their needs.
that
specifically
the lesbian consumer base.
As lesbians feel more included, it
becomes increasingly challenging to
show why they still need businesses
that cater to them. One successful
tinued to close down across the nation
This is both a challenge and an oppor-
and realized that Phase 1 was not shut
tunity for businesses seeking to serve
example is the HER dating app. HER
down by mere coincidence. Lesbian
today's lesbian community. The chal-
fits the needs of younger lesbians be-
businesses, bars, cafes, and book-
lenge is that younger lesbians do not
cause apps like Tinder are known for
stores are closing all over the coun-
have a cultural understanding of why
not being friendly to lesbian/queer
try. Phase 1 was collateral damage in
lesbian businesses are important to
women. Another example is Subaru.
support. As the people who pioneered
When Subaru targeted the lesbian
What I've learned is that the millenni-
these businesses grow older, they are
market, their sales soared. By identi-
what appears to be a national trend.
al generation has little to no apprecia-
struggling to engage younger lesbian
fying where lesbians are excluded and
tion of lesbian spaces or businesses
consumers because there is a cultural
creating a new space for them, and
and thus does not feel inclined to
divide. Businesses hoping to serve the
by utilizing a well-crafted narrative to
support them. I believe that this is the
lesbian community need new tactics
drive the demand of lesbian consum-
result of the fact that most people in
to engage the growing demographic
ers, businesses today can better serve
my generation never felt the need for
of younger lesbians. The challenge
the lesbian community.
these businesses in the way older
is finding a way to make these busi-
generations did. My generation grew
nesses relevant to lesbians who do
Thisessaywonthe 2017 Olivia
up with Ellen, Laverne Cox, Lady Gaga,
not feel that they need these spaces
ScholartripAward.
SPRING
I
CURVE 25
STYLE
26
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLE
Girls
Will
BeBoys
Krammer & Stoudt opened
New York Men's Fashion Week
with all-women models.
Anita DolceVita
Despite fashion and marketing being
primarily geared toward women, and
women comprising the majority of the
consumer base, women are the least
represented in the actual business of
fashion, from designer representation
at Fashion Week to leadership roles at
top design houses. Fashion is a boys'
club-yet another club that tells women
what is beautiful and how we should
express ourselves.
In response to America's latest
"menswear renaissance;' New York
added a separate Men's Fashion Week
in line with their London, Milan, and
Paris counterparts. However,this move
has been viewed by some who are less
concerned with markets and more concerned with equality as contributing to
rigid gender binaries.
Through fashion shows, editorials,
and opinion pieces, queer style platforms like dapperQ and Qwear have
long amplified the voices and bodies
of those who are leveraging fashion
SPRING
I
CURVE 27
STYLE
as radical resistance against gendered
clothing, with the knowledge that freedom of expression through personal
style comes with emancipatory potential that extends far beyond LGBTQAI+
communities and beyond fashion.
lndie label Krammer & Stoudt opened
February 2018 New York Men's Fashion
Week with a cast of all women models,
making a mark on the fashion industry
that is not often seen outside queer
spaces. Mike Rubin and Courtenay
Nearburg, the married couple behind
Krammer & Stoudt, enlisted Jahn Hall, a
New York City photographer, stylist, and
casting director, to scout models for the
show. Hall was able to land some prominent queer women models, including
Rain Dove, Merika Palmiste, and Madison Paige to name a few. Hall, aware
that queer style magazines and production companies have been styling and
featuring models across a wide gender
spectrum in clothing that best affirms
their identity, reached out to dapperQ
for casting recommendations. dapperQ
attended the show and was inspired to
see that women of all sexual orientations were taking over a space that is
traditionally reserved for men.
Krammer & Stoudt want their clothing to be without restrictions based
on sexual orientation or gender. Take
a look at some of the incredible looks
from their collection.
Photos: Michael Mendoza
Boots: pskaufman.com
Hats: esenshal.com
krammer-stoudt.com
28
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLE
SPRING
I
CURVE 29
STYLE
30
CURVE
I
SPRING
SPRING
I
CURVE 31
STYLEICON
auren Ruth Ward oozes cool.
ably say that what has happened is
with them for a new promotional
From her vibrantly
what I wanted to have happen. I am
series highlighting different artists,
one of the lucky ones;' she says.
she was thrilled to be the first one
L
colored
hair to her effortless 1960s,
1970s style, the singer-songwrit-
Well, Hell is a 12-track LP high-
to rep the brand for this new en-
er evokes a bygone era of rock 'n'
lighting
roll. Her debut album, Well, Hell,
range.
she
"That was super-flattering. I love
released in February, is the culmi-
laments the distance between her
their clothes;' she says. "There is
nation of years of creative passion
and her always-touring fiancee, LP.
something for everybody. They had
and is an ecstatic, sexy romp high-
In "Sideways" she roars through
some really great ideas, and it was
lighting her impressive Janis Jop-
the trials and tribulations of living
really collaborative."
lin-esque vocals.
her her life outside the American
Hailing from Maryland, the for-
Ward's
In
mainstream.
standout
"Sheet
vocal
Stains"
"Make Love to My-
deavor.
Her interest in fashion has always been a major part of who she
mer hairstylist made the move to
self" is a take-no-prisoners brush-
Los Angeles after years of going
off of someone trying to pick her
"In high school I was into the
back and forth between the East
up in a bar. The album is a burst of
1950s and the '80s. I was having
Coast and the City of Angels.
adrenaline from beginning to end.
"I had always been content, and
Though her upbringing always
is as a person.
sleepovers and sewing my friends'
flare jeans into skinny jeans. My
then one day I realized I couldn't
included music (her mother, un-
mom let me start sewing when I
work another day, I couldn't book
surprised, said, "This is your call-
was 12, on my nana's Singer sew-
another client. I was like, 'What
ing" when Ward told her she would
ing machine. Fashion has always
the fuck is wrong with me? Why do
be pursuing music fulltime), she
been a part of my identity and my
I feel so bored with this beautiful
has always had an equal passion
growth, and when I am feeling re-
life?' And that's when I realized I
for her other creative endeavors,
ally pumped about something with
needed to do something;'
which include hairstyling, sewing,
music, or hair, they all feed each
and art.
other, and they are all food for my
Ward
says.
Making the move solidified her
musical
identity
and jump-start-
"My sewing machine is also my
instrument.
Thinking
to
myself
ed the process that would lead to
about what can I make my stage
the release of Well, Hell as well as
look like so that my band feels so
brain. I need tactile, I need to create and express in more ways than
one;' Ward says.
Being
in a relationship
with
her partnership with iconic brand
into it, and what will make the peo-
another lesbian icon, the accom-
American Apparel.
ple who come to my show feel so
plished musician LP, comes easily
"When I moved here in January of
happy that they put their time and
for Ward, despite the challenges of
2015, I immediately took the music
money into it is also my passion;'
being apart frequently when they're
industry seriously. If people would
she says.
both touring.
be like, 'What do you do?' I'd be like,
When
'I'm a musician.' Now I can comfort-
American
Apparel
ap-
proached Ward about partnering
''I'm a fan of her and she's a fan
of me. Then there's the fact that
SPRING
I
CURVE 33
STYLE ICON
we're both women in the music
industry, and if we don't have time
for each other, we both understand immediately because we're
in the exact same boat.
"You have to have respect for
your lover and what they do and
how they do it and their message
to the world, genuinely. We naturally influence each other. I love
my little songbird. She'll pick up
the ukulele, pick up the guitar; she
is always thinking of a song. It's
so nice to watch. She's a genius;'
she says.
Thanks to the release of Well,
Hell, and her upcoming wedding,
and her status as a major star
on the rise, Ward is positioned to
have her best year yet.
laurenruthwardmusic.com
34
CURVE
I
SPRING
STYLEICON
SPRING
I
CURVE 35
STYLE ICON
couple
Angeles where I was finishing my
Self-care is essential in feeling em-
with a "you wish" lifestyle
last year of college and the rest
powered and enlightened. Self-care
that you can now experi-
is history.
starts here.
ardson and Gretchen Tiernan are
When did you realize you'd make a
What's it like working together?
life partners who own a successful
great couple?
Gretchen: Working
Southern California luxury day spa
Gretchen: When I fell in love with
mands a different version of us at
business with multiple locations.
Megan there were no boundaries
each new level, and as our relation-
On their way to building a wellness
and there still aren't. I fell for ev-
ship grows, our business minds par-
empire, this under-30 couple devel-
erything she is and I believe whole-
allel that growth. Before we do any-
oped the idea for Sand Spa after
heartedly in us. We both are great
thing we align our goals because
experiencing how a little self-care
by ourselves but I think the ability
during the journey we have differ-
and attention on wellness can re-
to absolutely know what the other is
ences, we make tough decisions,
duce stress and improve quality of
thinking is something that has kept
sometimes things go way out in left
life. As collegiate basketball players
our bond so tight. It keeps our rela-
field. To keep a good perspective we
they benefited from massage treat-
tionship real and honest and full of
go back to the basics and for us the
ments and together they came up
things, as it is supposed to be.
basics are our goals-what
M
eet a millennial
ence firsthand in L.A. Megan Rich-
with the idea to deliver upscale but
affordable bodywork to women in
a day spa environment-all
by the
together
de-
will it
take to reach those, what will it take
When did you have the idea for
to make our relationship stronger-
Sand Spa?
and by any means necessary we
beach! We caught up with the dy-
Megan: We both briefly worked in
will work for it.
namic duo to learn their secrets to
the spa industry and we felt that
well-being.
the industry needed a fresh set of
What does it take to keep a relation-
eyes. We were 23 and 24 when we
ship strong and healthy?
How did you two first meet?
set out to create Sand Spa. In the
Gretchen:
Megan: Playing basketball against
real world, lavish, expensive, and
when it comes to time. We both
each other in college. It was one of
sometimes lengthy spa visits aren't
approach the life we are living with
Quality
not
quantity
those, "Hey, tell your friend I said
ideal for anybody dealing with life's
so much gratitude. When things
what's up" moments. Very quick-
day-to-day challenges.
get off track in any area of our re-
ly it was something that we would
Gretchen: We set out to create a
lationship we try to pause and lis-
move mountains to make happen.
place for the everyday person to ex-
ten. Our communication has to be
We dated for two years before we
perience high-quality spa services
effective at all times-for
officially
got together. We were
at affordable prices on a more fre-
for our clients, and for each other.
living eight hours apart and on
quent basis. We believe a trip to the
The only way we can do all this
completely
schedules.
spa shouldn't happen once a year;
is if we have each other; we are
Gretchen's career took her to Los
it should be a part of your lifestyle.
rooted in that.
36
CURVE
different
I
SPRING
our team,
What is your involvement with the
LGBTQ community?
Gretchen: We are the LGBTQ community in Manhattan and Hermosa
Beach. I feel like we have helped
open the wider community's eyes
to the LBGTQcommunity and how
we stand for equality and inclusion. The evolution of our brand
could not have happened at a more
perfect time; what makes us great
is our diversity. When you come
into one of our locations we aren't
just here to provide a service-we
embrace you, we support you, and
we will stand up for that.
sandspamb.com
LIVING
TRUE
••••
Spring
Summer
Open yourself to our exclusive perspective
Allow yourself to be inspired by leading
on lush lesbian living, including interior
queer women. Hear the voices of modern
and outdoor design, plus a focus on health,
fitness and renewal.
female executives, artists, activists, and
the celebrities who engage us.
4 timesayear
curvemag.com
Fall
Embrace a more expansive view of
beauty. From androgynous fashion to
diverse body image, distinctive looks to
dress a beauty and a butch.
Winter
Get cozy with inspiring and beautifully
photographed food, drink and travel
stories, appearing alongside seasonal
recipes and holiday ideas.
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
40
CURVE
I
SPRING
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Shake
ItUp
Chef Jennifer Biesty is making a tasty contribution to Oakland's thriving food scene.
MerrynJohns
tep into Shakewell, the buzzy modern bistro in Oakland's
S
Lakeshore neighborhood, and be transported into a lesbi-
an haven of Mediterranean fusion. Chef Jennifer Biesty is
cooking the food she loves, and diners are rewarded with her soulful
take on the bold flavors of Southern Europe, Northern Africa, and
the Middle East.
Everything you're likely to sample is a standout, but a signature
dish is the crave-worthy Piracicaba-Brazilian
sprouting broccoli
with crispy confit duck gizzards, sweet-spicy piquillo pepper, a fried
farm egg, and migas.
SPRING
I
CURVE 41
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
ativity, and know how to do things
The well-traveled chef Biesty is
ing room, the staff wears wigs and
proud to call Oakland home after
beads, and we make fun cocktails.
like make sauces, butcher, and work
spending long stretches training and
Last year was a blast!"
the hot line in a busy place. Once you
working in Europe, New York City, and
Not only is Biesty a Top Chef
alum, she's worked with some of
San Francisco.
have that, the rest should fall into
place."
"I am so lucky we landed in Oak-
the world's great chefs, including
As a married lesbian with a young
land. It wasn't the plan, but I love
Jamie Oliver,as well as Ruth Rogers
family, Biesty is successfully bal-
the friendly vibe. It is diverse and
and Rose Gray of the famous Riv-
ancing the demands of a thriving
open-people say 'good morning' and
er Cafe. "I have worked with some
business with the joys of being a
look you in the eye all the time-and
great chefs over the years, and what
mom. "It is hard, but we manage. Our
that's how it should be;' she says.
is most important to me is to always
daughter is six months old and she
"Shakewell is in a fun neighborhood.
have the highest standards and treat
is just a star, she lights up my heart!
You get a little bit of everything, and
your team well. If you don't have
I never thought I would feel like this;'
all types of people come to gather in
your team behind you, you will fail.
she confides. "I was secretly terrified
our restaurant. It is wonderful."
It's more fun, and cooking should be
to be a parent, but she is the best.
If you're wondering what makes
fun-it has to be:'
I take a little more time out of the
Advice for aspiring queer female
kitchen so I can have time with my
than its chef, some of its staff, and a
chefs looking to break into the indus-
wife Sara and our daughter. I feel
loyal lesbian clientele-Biesty recom-
try or perhaps one day open a restau-
blessed that I can. And sometimes
Shakewell especially queer-other
mends you come in for brunch. "You
rant of their own? "Stay current with
I just can't come home because of
will see every type of family, all enjoy-
trends and read as much as you can.
the demands of the restaurant, but
ing themselves. It's great."
Work in a restaurant that you admire
we make the best of what time we
The restaurant also has big plans
or with chefs you admire-even for
have. Love goes a long way."
for Pride. "We have a great crew here.
free-to learn. Learn techniques be-
We get a DJ and decorate the din-
fore you try to showcase your ere-
42
CURVE
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shakewelloakland.com
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Croquetas
deBacalao
Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, bite into one of Spain's favorite snacks.
JenniferBiesty
Forthecroquet
base:
METHOD:
INGREDIENTS:
Place potatoes in a pot covered with cold water, salt and
bay leaves. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are
0
bunch bay leaves
C,
medium potatoes
(5 or 6 pounds) quartered
fork tender. Drain and remove liquid. In a skillet, heat
a small amount of olive oil over medium-low heat, add
minced garlic and sauce for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not allow to brown. Remove and set aside. In a saucepan
G
G
0
0
cup olive oil
bring milk with remaining olive oil to a boil and quickly
cup garlic, minced
whisk in flour to prevent lumps from forming. Cook on
cup whole milk
e
low heat until the mixture pulls away clean from the edges of the pot. The mixture should resemble thick paste.
cup flour
Whisk yolks into hot mixture. Place together in a bowl the
egg yolks
mashed potatoes, garlic and parsley. Add milk and yolk
batter and mix thoroughly. Add salt and pepper to taste.
G
0
cup parsley, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Forthebacalao
mixture:
METHOD:
Soak the bacalao for two days in cold water, which must
INGREDIENTS:
0
0
0
0
pieces bacalao (salt cod)
bay leaves
teaspoons fennel pollen
pinch cayenne
be changed two times a day. Place the soaked bacalao
in a pot with a bay leaf, cover with cold water and bring
to a simmer. Cook until fish is easily flaked. Drain water
and flake fish in a bowl. Add cayenne, fennel pollen and
season with salt. The amount of salt will vary depending
on the flavor of the fish. Once the fish is well seasoned
and has cooled, add half of the croquet base and fold
in the fish mixture. Be sure to cook off a small amount
and taste for seasoning. Fry each croqueta in oil at 375
degrees until golden brown and crisp.
44
CURVE
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INTERIOR DESIGN
Dwelling
byDesign
Inspiring interiors for a new season.
Photosby KimReisand
pring is a good time to reimagine your abode, no matter where
S
you call home. To catch up on approaches and trends we
spoke to Related Arts Interior Design owner, Soraida Bedoya.
Bedoya's 14 years of design industry experience is founded on training in fine art and art history. She has a keen eye for objects as identi-
ty markers and storytellers. Her designs employ principles of balance
to create environments that are modern and elegant, yet livable. After
many years of living and working in the Hamptons, Bedoya is now
based between New York City and the East End, with an occasional
sojourn in the Caribbean. We caught up with the in-demand decorator
to discern the latest trends.
SPRING
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CURVE 45
INTERIOR DESIGN
What is your signaturestyle, or the
describe their spaces as having a
elementsyou bringto a projectthat
calm undertone but with a few unex-
are quintessentiallyyours?
pected elements of surprise. Ideally,
I lean toward minimalism as a phi-
one should be aware that design is
losophy because it aims to identify
in the room but it should not domi-
the essential elements of an ob-
nate; life should always happen free-
ject, space or idea. As an approach
ly within a space.
I translate this search for essence
by funneling a client's broad vision
Whichother female designersand
down to a few basic lifestyle ele-
decoratorsdo you admire?
ments, and I organize the design of
I love Kelly Wearstler and Paris Fa-
those paired down needs and wants.
rino.
Can you give us an exampleof a
What are some upcominginterior
designchoiceyou would make
trendsfor this spring/summer?
for a client?
I would say Jade and and Emerald
If a client says to me they are drawn
with an overall echo from the '80s!
to mid-century design and bright
color, the selection of fabrics I will
How might you approacha new
present in this particular case will be
client?
geometric patterns from that period
My first question is: how do you want
that are organized in grids versus
to feel in your space? I ask them
patterns from the same period that
to create a look book, with images
have a more irregular grid with or-
taken from catalogues. I base the
ganic shapes. Solid colors that have
look on their lifestyle: Do they have
an undertone of sepia or grey versus
children, do they like to entertain, is
fully saturated or deeply muted col-
one room used only by one person?
ors. The final result is then a design
I take it in layers and try to work out
built on a client's likes but founded
what their story is. I ask: How do we
on my understanding of how shape,
live with objects, how do we relate
scale, texture, etc., can be used to
to them? The objects we're attached
interpret what is both beautiful and
to tell the story of us. We hang onto
livable for the lifestyle and taste of
those cherished possessions but of-
the client. I bring a listening ear and
ten, when we have the urge to redec-
a modified version of a minimal de-
orate, it's because we want to purge,
sign philosophy, serving to clarify
because things are shifting in our
and de-clutter both intention and
lives. At the end of the day, when I
space.
come home, I want a sanctuary.
How wouldyou describeyour
overallresults?
In the end most of my clients would
46
CURVE
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relatedarts.com
INTERIOR DESIGN
SPRING
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INTERIOR DESIGN
48
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INTERIOR DESIGN
SPRING
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
VictoriaA. Brownworth
50
CURVE
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
A
merica has become increas-
there. I agreed I would, we said some
ingly polarized, a nation in
emotional goodbyes, and fell out of
which women, people of
touch surprisingly quickly, given how
color, immigrants, and the LGBTQ
community
are under threat from
the Trump administration
close we had been.
Russia was a world away from the
and its
work I was doing in the U.S. as both an
followers. Concerns about autocracy
activist and a journalist. For Masha,
and creeping authoritarianism have
Russia was her birthplace, a home
ceased to be vague what-ifs. A year
that was calling to her even as she
into the Trump presidency, America
worried about returning there. From
feels like a riven nation, where some
the vantage point of the U.S.,Moscow
of us see flashing red danger signs
was the dangerously volatile place
while others don red hats that read
from which her Jewish family had fled
Make America Great Again, even as
fearing a rise in anti-Semitism, when
they call for the rescission of our
she was a teenager.
most basic-and
most quintessen-
tially American-civil
liberties.
In the Feb. 8 issue of the New York
Reviewof Books,Gessen has an essay
Masha Gessen knows about au-
that was first given as a lecture using
thoritarian rule because she's lived
the seven words Trump had banned
under it for much of her life. Masha
from government documents. To am-
and I worked together for several years
plify on the word "fetus;' she writes,
in the late 1980s and early '90s. We
''Thirty-nine years ago, my parents
talked weekly about everything-but
took a package of documents to an
mostly about work, Al DS and LGBT
office in Moscow. This was our appli-
activism, and the endless complica-
cation for an exit visa to leave the So-
tions of being out activist journalists
viet Union. More than two years would
like ourselves in what was an intensely
pass before the visa was granted, but
homophobic world.
from that day on I have felt a sense of
Twenty-some years ago, the last
precariousness wherever I have been,
time I spoke with Masha before this
along with a sense of opportunity.
interview, she was getting ready to
They are a pair!'
move to Moscow and had asked me if
America was the place where Ma-
I could send her American dog food if
sha Gessen came out as a lesbian, be-
she couldn't find what she needed over
came an LGBTactivist and a journalist,
SPRING
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CURVE 51
IN THE CROSSFIRE
and prepared to return to a radically
on, [Putin] accused Secretary of State
changed nation-state, no longer the
Hillary Clinton of having personally in-
Gessen described what happened
U.S.S.R.into which she had been born
spired the protests. A few months later,
next. " The Americans want to adopt
but the newly minted, self-declared de-
this idea of The Other turned into the
Russian children and bring them up
mocracy of Russia.
laws on foreign agents and espionage
in perverted families like Masha Ges-
Nothing changed for Gessen in
ing was safe.
and into the ban on American adop-
sen's; " said St. Petersburg politician
Russia, by which I mean she didn't go
tions-and
Vitaly Milonov, bringing together ho-
back in the closet, she didn't stop be-
'homosexual propaganda; for no one
mosexual propaganda, adoptions, and
ing an AIDS activist, and she not only
represents Western influence and Oth-
foreign agents quite nicely.
didn't stop being a journalist, she be-
erness better than gays and lesbians:'
eventually into the law on
Gessen wasn't an anonymous lesbi-
came the best-known gay
an in Moscow. Gessen was
journalist in all of Russia.
THE lesbian in Moscow.
As she continued to
What happened next could
write about HIV/ Al DS,Ges-
easily happen here under
sen met and adopted her
Trump. Attorney
then-3-year-old son Vova
Jeff Sessions has already
from an orphanage for the
barred lesbians and gay
children
of
General
HIV-positive
men from filing employ-
women (he was negative).
ment discrimination suits
Now he's in high school, in
under Title IX.
America, because in 2014,
In Moscow on June 30,
like her parents before her,
2013, Gessen says that "the
Gessen gathered her fam-
ban on 'homosexual propa-
ily and left her birthplace
ganda' became law, the par-
and that of her children.
liament banned adoptions
The title of her farewell es-
by same-sex couples or sin-
say explains why: "When
gle people from countries
Putin Declared War on
where same-sex marriage
Gay Families, It Was Time
for Mine to Leave Russia:'
is legal, and the head of the
This ban on adoptions was the
parliamentary committee on the family
An unnerving part of that essay,
cover story used by members of the
pledged to pass a bill that would cre-
written for Slate in August 2013, is
Trump campaign to explain why they
ate mechanisms for removing children
the explanation for why Putin would
were talking with various Russians.
from same-sex families. That would in-
want revenge on Hillary Clinton. His
And the vilification of LGBT people is
clude biological children. So that same
rage at her for claiming as Secretary
another point of intersection for Trump
month, we put our Moscow apartment
of State that the 2011 elections in Rus-
and Putin.
on the market, and in August we began
sia were rigged was, as Gessen wrote,
But for Gessen and her family, her
channeled into punishing a different
notoriety among Putin's people creat-
A few days before Thanksgiving in
Other than her. Gessen writes, "Early
ed an aura of danger around her. Noth-
2017, when Masha and I spoke again
52 CURVE
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SPRING
house hunting in New York:'
IN THE CROSSFIRE
for the first time in 25 years, she had
sion he's knowledgeable;' she explains,
on Putin's rise to power and what it
just won the prestigious National Book
but says the repetition, the relent-
means for both Russia and the West.
Award for nonfiction for The Future Is
lessness is meant "to drown us in his
History: How TotalitarianismReclaimed
words;' which, she adds, often have no
in our election? In the Trump cam-
Russia.
meaning or context, or have a reverse
paign, yes.
The Future Is History is a massive
book-part Russian novel, part sociol-
meaning, like his favorites, "fake news"
or "witch hunt:'
Does she think Russia had a hand
What Putin is not, says Gessen, is
the mastermind of our own failure to
ogy, part anthropology, part thriller. It's
It's become a commonplace for
filled with interviews and insights and
people claiming Resistance status to
and diplomat in favor of a man Gessen
took Gessen hundreds of hours of in-
argue that Russia stole the American
says is indeed very like Putin.
terviews and many years (with the help
election in 2016. This is a far easier
Gessen's so smart-she's that van-
of a Carnegiefellowship) to write. It is a
rationale than accepting the reality
ishing breed in America, the public
book that could not be more germane
that the true conspiracy that led us
intellectual-and
to the creeping authoritarianism of
to our own authoritarian ruler was
of Trump, Putin, and the 2016 election
Trump and to our own current political
a combination of misogyny, racism,
so well-formulated, that one wants to
circumstances.
xenophobia, homophobia, the em-
ignore what she has to say both about
bracing of jingoistic sound bites, and
Trump and about how autocracies
investigation into the Trump cam-
rallies that would have made Leni
happen. Internet memes aside, Ges-
paign's engagement and collusion
Riefenstahl blush.
sen says, "Putin is no Bond villain:'
About those
circumstances-the
elect an accomplished stateswoman
her deconstruction
For many, that may be her most
with Russia-Gessen has much to say,
As Gessen sees it, people feel they
although not, perhaps, what many on
haven't gotten what they deserve, that
either the left or the right wish to hear.
someone else-immigrants,
Muslims,
Gessen's book details what Putin
Of the left's embrace of Cold War-
gays-is getting what belongs to them.
is-the man behind the curtain, the for-
style Red-Scare paranoia, where every
And that, she explains, is where the
mer KGB operative who, she asserts,
other person on Twitter is a Russian
door opens for someone like Trump or
"never wanted to be a politician:'
crushing revelation.
bot, Gessen is succinct: "It's surprising
Putin to walk right in, with their promis-
When I ask if Gessen thinks Putin
and really disappointing:'
es of taking everything back to a time
is a mastermind, she doesn't hesitate
those voters understood.
in saying no, but she quickly adds that
Now a staff writer at the New York-
Gessen, who also wrote The Man
Putin loves being perceived as a mas-
few days. She frequently parallels
Withouta Face:TheUnlikelyRiseof Vlad-
termind-as well as the stereotype of
Trump's behavior with that of totalitar-
imir Putin, isn't buying the claim that
the shirtless strongman, still virile at
er, Gessen writes about Trump every
ian elements in Russia and the former
Russia stole our election without our
65, swimming "a thousand metres a
U.S.S.R.
participation. It's much more complex,
day" as he claims. Hillary Clinton fa-
she asserts.
mously called Trump "Putin's puppet"
Trump, Gessen asserts, talks re-
in their final debate, and Putin has,
petitively and endlessly. She says he
"Russian collusion is the story ed-
and Putin are similar in that they both
itors want me to write, but it isn't as
Gessen suggests, relished that image
purvey facts that are often wrong, but
big a story as Americans would like it
of himself and of Trump.
repeat those made-up facts again and
to be;' she says with the authority of a
The American left has fully em-
again. "It's meant to give the impres-
woman who has written several books
braced the image of Putin as a Bond
SPRING
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
54
CURVE
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
villain, manipulating the Trump ad-
marching in the wrong direction.
tentacles were there.
ministration like a puppeteer. Ges-
In her Feb. 8 New Yorkercolumn,
Trump is closer to a mafia don than
sen says Americans have "elevated
Gessen states this quite literally as
he is a dictator. Thus far. But we know
Putin to the role he has always want-
she deconstructs Trump's latest de-
Trump has a fixation with and an ad-
ed, that Bond villain he has always
sire for a parade. Describing a poster
miration for other dictators, most im-
aspired to be:' We have, just like
of a Soviet parade, and supplying her
portantly Putin.
many in Russia, where he has over-
own disparaging caption, she notes,
whelming support, bought into Pu-
"Military parades, it went without
Yorker,Gessen made a subtle com-
tin's persona. Yet, Gessen explains,
saying, were a feature of totalitarian
parison between Trump and Stalin,
the details of the Russia investiga-
regimes and the opposite of freedom:'
with a trajectory built on applause:
tion have shown us the incompetent
That is something we cannot
"I sometimes joke that growing up
In her Feb. 6 column in the New
blame on anyone but ourselves, Ges-
in the Soviet Union prepared me for
"What we've seen so far of what
sen says. She talks rapid-fire about
working as a journalist in the United
side of Russian intervention.
Russia did during the campaign is, for
how inescapable totalitarianism was
States. That joke has become less
the most part, ridiculous;' she asserts.
in Russia, because of what she calls
funny now that the president is posi-
I laugh, but when we examine Donald
"intergenerational trauma:' The im-
tioning applause as a central issue of
Trump, Jr., Carter Page,Gen. Mike Fly-
pact of Soviet Russia lingered even
American politics."
nn, George Papadapoulos, and even
after the bloc was broken up and na-
Gessen knows what the word "free-
Paul Manafort, their blundering ef-
tion-states sprang up (some of them
dom" means. She says the most de-
forts to engage Russia to ruin Hillary
far more totalitarian than the U.S.S.R.
fining difference for her living back in
Clinton's chances of being president
was at its peak).
the U.S. is that she no longer worries
feel more Keystone Cops than Jason
Bourne. And yet....
The often facile nature of American
about where her three children are, nor
politics has made for easy parallels
her wife, nor her ex. No one will be kid-
It should have ended July 27, 2016
that aren't accurate. Trump isn't Hit-
naped by the State, here. She needn't
when Trump said during a press
ler,Steven Miller isn't Josef Goebbels.
call her partner to come meet her with
conference in Florida, "I will tell you
But Gessen lays out some parallels
their dog because of what she calls "a
this, Russia: If you're listening, I hope
between Trump
creeping sense of unsafeness:'
you're able to find the 30,000 emails
grandiosity, their
that are missing. I think you will prob-
make sense. She also describes the
speech last December,Gessen said, "I
ably be rewarded mightily by our
corrupted
landscape on
wish I could finish on a hopeful note,
press:'
which Putin built his empire: He's
by saying something like: If only we
political
and
Putin-their
narcissism-that
In her New York Public Library
Yet it's not all a joke, as Gessen
been running Russia since 2000 and
insist on making choices, we will suc-
explains. The most chilling thing she
Gessen says there's no question he'll
ceed in keeping the darkness at bay.
said in our interview was that "[Amer-
be re-elected for another six years.
I'm not convinced that that's the case.
ica] is not moving toward democracy.
What should intrigue Americans
But I do think that making choices
It's marching away from democracy:'
seeking parallels is that Gessen
and, more important, imagining other,
And although Gessen believes true
says, "Putin built a mafia state;'
better choices, will give us the best
democracy is aspirational rather than
that he didn't set out to build a to-
chance possible of coming out of the
actual in most cases, the net negative
talitarian regime, but that since the
darkness better than we were when
is the same: We are, under Trump,
U.S.S.R. had been one, the lingering
we went in:'
SPRING
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CURVE 55
FILMS
Women
Who
Dare
Disobedience is the mustsee lesbian film of the year.
MerrynJohns
OJ
E
~
OJ
RachelWeisz
56 CURVE
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FILMS
T
he tagline for the excellent new
raised, has suddenly died. Ronit goes
film Disobedienceis "Love is an
home to pay her respects, for the first
it's fair
time in years, and rekindles her trau-
act of defiance" -but
to say that the idea of women work-
matic relationship with the community
ing together in the film industry these
that shunned her for a grave misde-
days is equally defiant. Disobedience,
meanour: a forbidden lesbian affair
an intelligent and complex feature
with her best friend Esti. But what does
film, is produced by the actor Rachel
Ronit ultimately want-aside
Weisz, with Rachel McAdams as her
connecting with her cousin Dovid, who
from re-
co-star. While McAdams has shared
is also Esti's husband? Is she probing
her account of being a victim of sexual
a possible inheritance, or impossibly
harassment at the hands of film direc-
seeking posthumous love and forgive-
tor James Toback-an account which
ness from her father?
helped contribute to the groundswell of
As it turns out, the one inheritance
the #Me Too movement-it's important
Ronit is bequeathed is her mother's
not to view Hollywood's actresses as
Shabbat candlesticks, but what she
merely players in a narrative of victim-
actually gains is the passionate rekin-
ization. Equal if not more powerful is
dling of her affair with Esti-an affair
the narrative of women spearheading
that finally undoes the women's op-
creative projects that empower them
pression by the community that stifles
as talented players in an industry that
them.
often stacks the odds against them.
When I ask Weisz how the project
So it's a real pleasure to watch Dis-
came to her she corrects me gently.
obedience-starring McAdams as a de-
"Actually,the project didn't come to me,
ceptively transgressive character, and
I found it. I was looking for good a role
Weisz as the catalyst for her transgres-
for me, and a role for another woman,
sion. The film is a miracle of sorts-that
and I suppose it was natural to choose
such a high-profile actor was attracted
a story about a lesbian relationship. I
to a project that is quietly sombre,
read Naomi Alderman's book and I op-
complex, and that resonantly reframes
tioned it and then I took it to Film4:'
the way in which we see women as ar-
Weisz's choice of project seems
chitects of their own freedom is a wel-
both selfless and insightful. The rela-
come offering.
tionship between Ronit and Esti-two
Disobedienceis based on the novel
atypical women on the fringes of mi-
by Naomi Alderman, in which Ronit
nority cultures-has arguably not been
Krushka, a single Manhattan photog-
seen onscreen before.
rapher,learns that her estranged father,
Weisz is mesmerizing as Ronit, a
a Godlike rabbi in the London Orthodox
New York City photographer who is
Jewish community in which she was
more in command of her photographic
SPRING
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FILMS
change the culture:'
subjects than she is of herself. She is
women as though they're seeing them
known for capturing urban subcultures
through the eyes of men. So it's really
Weisz directs me to a speech by the
and beautiful eccentrics, but her talent
important that we see Ronit looking at
actor Riz Ahmed, best known in Ameri-
for finding beauty in unexpected plac-
Esti-as a woman looking at another
ca for RogueOne:A Star WarsStory,that
es masks her unresolved grief. When
woman, and seeing her just as that-a
he gave in the British Parliament last
she discovers her father has died she
woman who returns her gaze as well:'
year. "The most fantastical and unreal-
gets drunk and has sex with a stranger,
It's not that men are necessarily
istic stories can make the biggest im-
the problem, says Weisz. "The prob-
pact;' says Ahmed. "But even in those
Weisz, a talented performer whose
lem is in the way that stories are told:'
stories, what people are looking for is
face can mercurially reconfigure itself
While the director, Sebastian Lelio, is
the message that they belong. That
from smouldering beauty to deep sor-
a straight man, "there's something dif-
they are part of something. That they
row, has perfect chemistry with McAd-
ferent about Sebastian, and about the
are seen and heard, but despite-or
ams, who plays a timid and quietly
way he sees things, that I don't feel op-
perhaps because of the uniqueness of
distressed teacher in a Jewish girls'
pressed by,' says Weisz. She extends
their experience-they are valued. They
school. While Esti likes her job and
that collaborative compliment to her
want to feel represented:' If they're
finds authority in it, she is moments
co-star, Alessandro Nivola, who plays
not represented, they're pushed to
away from a nervous breakdown, ex-
Dovid,and while he is the heir to Ronit's
the fringes, says Ahmed, where they
acerbated by her persistent feeings for
religious figurehead father, in a way, he
act out. Neither Ronit nor Esti have
Ronit, which simmer beneath the sur-
also helps deliver his wife's freedom
been accepted by their community,
face of duty. The tension is palpable.
when she makes it clear to him that
and Ronit's response is to cast herself
When Esti lights the candles for Shab-
there is no other way for her to live.
even further out. Esti has lost herself in
then goes ice-skating.
bat, Ronit looks as though she is being
When I tell Weisz that I admire her
conformity and forces herself to be het-
pulled magnetically to her. At Shabbat
choice of subject, especially at a time
erosexual, even though that's bound to
dinner when Ronit is asked why her
when Hollywood has sought refuge
fail. Of course, when they meet again,
professional name is Ronnie Curtis
from identity politics in endless su-
their alienation ignites a powderkeg.
and not Ronit Krushka, Esti interjects,
perhero franchises, she observes that
Weisz was especially taken with por-
"Women change their names every
those narratives can also offer pow-
traying the intersection of two minority
day. They take their husbands' names
erful opportunities for women-it
de-
communities: queer women and Or-
and their own history is gone:'
pends on how the story is told. "When
thodox Jews. "I've had very little to do
Two women together can chal-
you say comic books, though, I think
with that world;' she admits, "but I have
lenge the cultural order. Weisz looks at
of WonderWoman,which I absolutely
known and worked with gay people all
McAdams with penetrating longing, a
loved and felt so inspired by. I could
my life and have many gay friends;' she
keen sense of recognition, and with a
really relate to her, as somebody who
says.
desire that is as much about selfhood
grew up as a tomboy in a certain en-
When it came to casting her gay
as it is about sex. Weisz agrees that es-
vironment and who wanted to get out
love interest, Weisz was thrilled to
tablishing a non-male gaze was vital to
and be active and do things. It's not
land Rachel McAdams, an actor with
the film. "It's really fascinating talking
even really about diversity,' she says.
serious marquee pull who was com-
about the male gaze;' she says, "be-
"It's about representation, and what a
mitted enough to her craft to be drawn
cause men do see women in a certain
character is allowed to do in the sto-
to shooting a small-budget drama in
way, and women do often look at other
ry, and how our perception of that can
"rainy North London"-while
58
CURVE
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wearing
FILMS
SPRING
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CURVE 59
FILMS
unflattering costumes and an Ortho-
cally, but critics have already focused
It suggests that they have transformed
dox wig. But their chemistry is com-
on the sex scene as the centerpiece of
each other'.'
pelling and believable-Weisz's more
the film, and I ask Weisz if she thinks
And this, ultimately, is what wom-
dominant Ronit plays off the repressed
that's fair. "Are you referring to the
en can do for each other. The dearth
Esti who is gradually unraveled by her
scene where Ronit and Esti spit in each
of good roles-or
visiting friend. "I think Esti really is gay,
other's mouths?" she asks frankly. Yes;
women "is not even about age;' says
and Ronit is probably bisexual;' says
what does she think that particular sex-
Weisz. "It's about gender. It's ridiculous
Weisz. "But she also tends to go with
ual gesture means? "I'd rather not say,'
that we're even having this conversa-
she says, "or I'd prefer to hear what you
tion. It's very strange that we talk about
think it means'.'
women as though we're some obscure
her feelings, and act on impulse'.'
In one scene, when Ronit says,
opportunities-for
"Perhaps people should stop having
I tell her I think it's an exchange of
minority, when in fact we are half of the
so many children;' Esti stifles a smile.
bodily fluids that is also a metaphorical
world's population'.' Weisz doesn't have
When one of the hosts observes that
impregnation. Ronit has inseminated
a mandate, but Disobedienceis a pow-
Ronit is not married and urges her to
Esti with disobedience. It may turn
erful start, and highlights the rewards
conform to the natural order, Ronit
out that she is pregnant with David's
of women taking a more active role.
snaps, "Is that the way it should be or
child-but
Esti now has the strength
Weisz relished her role as producer,
is that just institutional obligation?"
to decide what to do with it, because
which she describes as "the opposite
Again, Esti looks smitten by Ronit, who
of Ronit. "I'm not sure if I can say that's
of acting" and rather than waiting for a
is opinionated and liberated in a way
absolutely what Sebastian [and the
great script to come to her she found
that she longs to be.
screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz] in-
one for herself, and for a female co-star.
It was important to Weisz that the
tended;' says Weisz. "I'd rather each
ecsalating relationship between the
viewer make up their mind about what
women was not handled voyeuristi-
it means, but I love your interpretation.
60
CURVE
I
SPRING
Esti and Ronit would approve.
Disobedience
is releasedon April27.
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COVER STORY
62 CURVE
I
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COVER STORY
OurCate
Cate Blanchett takes her rightful place in the lesbian hall of fame.
Melanie Barker
he has won two Oscars and has
in BlueJasmine,she walks off with an
another 149 wins and almost
Oscar. Blanchett makes a damn good
S
200 nominations to her name.
villain, too: Marissa Wiegler in Hanna,
As perhaps the greatest film star of
the wicked stepmother in Cinderella,
her generation, she's an actor so versa-
and Hela in Thor: Ragnarok.She can
tile that she can play an albino Italian
also handle playing 13 characters in
immigrant, an elf queen, the bisexual
one film, as she did in the indie film
actor Katharine Hepburn, and a man-
Manifesto.As we go to press, she is
Bob Dylan. As a trained theater actor
attached to play the comic genius Lu-
she is also adept at interpreting Shake-
cille Ball in an upcoming biopic (script
speare, Chekhov,and Ibsen. And on top
by Aaron Sorkin); in addition she has
of all the mainstream critical acclaim,
four films in post-production and one
Cate Blanchett has taken her right-
she is currently filming. Blanchett may
ful place in the pantheon of lesbian
be approaching 50, but she's not slow-
screen goddesses through her unwav-
ing down-and each of the challenging
ering dedication to the strength and
roles she now takes on is a victory for
individuality of women everywhere,
aging women. When asked by Stephen
including those who are marginalized
Colbert why Ocean'sEight was thus
and queer. From the outset of her
named, her witty riposte was, "There's
career, Blanchett has played strong,
only eight women working in Holly-
determined, and unique women: Eliza-
wood;' alluding both to the widespread
beth I, Charlotte Gray,Galadriel, Veron-
sexism in the industry and to the ag-
ica Guerin, Hepburn, and Lady Marion
ing out of female stars-a cruelty she
Loxley-to name just a few. Even when
seems determined to defy.
she plays a completely vulnerable and
Blanchett has proven herself to be
unhinged mess, like Jasmine French
delightfully outspoken on and off the
SPRING
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COVER STORY
red carpet. When the Harvey Wein-
out apology, whose physical presence
feminine couture with androgynous
stein scandal erupted in Hollywood,
and their aesthetic is really integrated
tailored outfits such as the one she
she released an official statement to
in a non-self-conscious way, into part
wore to Comic-Con International: San
the film industry's news magazine, Va-
of who they are, and women who know
Diego on July 22, 2017, where she was
riety "Any man in a position of power
that how they look is not all of who
promoting Thor:Ragnarok.
or authority who thinks it's his prerog-
they are, but just an extension of that.
Wearing her blonde hair relatively
ative to threaten, intimidate or sexually
It's about women who feel free to wear
short, to neck level, and looking chic
assault any woman he encounters or
what they want when they want and
in a black-and-white checked slouch
works alongside needs to be called to
how they want to wear it. We all like
suit by the NYClabel Monse, Blanchett
account. It is never easy for a woman
looking sexy, but it doesn't mean we
lapped up the attention and credited
to come forward in such situations
want to fuck you:'
fans with helping her create the pow-
and I wholeheartedly support those
who have:'
In an industry where actresses are
supposed to trade on their looks,
When the Weinstein sexual moles-
pay their dues, and play nice, or else,
erful, sexy look of her archvillainess
character, Hela, goddess of death.
One of the main reasons Blanchett
tation scandal spread into the fashion
Blanchett always seems to remain true
has landed on every lesbian's map
industry, Blanchett went even further,
to herself: feisty, witty, sharp-tongued,
was her role in the film Carol. Since
telling assembled guests at the lnStyle
and quintessentially Aussie. And of
the release of the Oscar-nominated
Awards in Los Angeles, where she was
course she herself is a style icon, ex-
drama, adapted by Phyllis Nagy from
accepting an award, "For me, the true
ploring many different looks, but al-
the Patricia Highsmith novel, fans and
icons of style are always those women
ways in ways that suit and please her.
shippers have gone wild for the Car-
who've been utterly themselves with-
She's nobody's dummy. She balances
ol-Therese romance-and
fantasized
a Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara romance offscreen, too. Just check out
the numerous lnstagram and YouTube
channels tracking the two and editing
their admiration for each other into
I
"IfIhadmyway,ifIwasluckyenough,
if Icould
beonthebrinkmyentire
life- thatgreatsenseofexpectation
andexcitement
without
the
disappointment
- that
wouldbetheperfect
state."
coupledom.
Of Carol, Blanchett told us in New
York that she found the script to be
beautifully written, giving her "wonderful stuff to play with:' Blanchett described Carolas "a deeply private person who keeps her sexuality to herself
and lives in a quiet hell because she's
not able to express herself:' But when
she meets Therese, who is "flung out
of space;' the wheels of romance turn
and sexual longing simmers to create
what Mara describes as Therese's "ob-
64 CURVE
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COVER STORY
sessive pursuit of Carol" and "a love
Instinct, and Blanchett's habit of
award at the 2014 Santa Barbara Inter-
speaking off the cuff, may also have
national Film Festival, describing her-
Nevertheless, Blanchett knew that
led to a coming-out misfire, which hap-
self as "an awestruck super-fan" who
playing a closeted lesbian who, in
pened when she allegedly told a Variety
first saw her in the film Elizabethwhen
1950s America, becomes involved with
reporter that she had experienced rela-
she was 13 years of age. "I can remem-
a much younger woman was taking a
tionships with women "many times:'
ber the feeling that washed over me;'
risk. "I like the unknown factor when it
The reporter maintains that he quoted
says Mara, who went on to say, dry-
story between two humans:'
comes to choosing a role or a project;'
Blanchett accurately. Blanchett fol-
mouthed with nervousness, that she's
Blanchett said. "I usually rely on my in-
lowed up and told the press that the
followed Blanchett's career ever since,
stinct in the sense that if I know right
part where she clarified the relation-
never publicly disclosing her admira-
away how I can interpret a character I'll
ships as "not sexual" was edited out
tion for her virtues but keeping them
usually turn it down, because I find it
of the article. And lesbians everywhere
close to her as "private little treasures"
too predictable, or I feel like I've been
heaved a sigh of disappointment. Oh,
that she visited for inspiration.
there before. That's why I agreed to
well. But then Blanchett turned up at
In return, Blanchett has described
play Bob Dylan [in Todd Haynes's I'm
New York LGBTQ bar The Stonewall
herself and Mara as "kindred spirits"
Not There]or the part of Carol. Not only
Inn last March, and lip-synched lesbian
with an "unspoken understanding"
is there some risk involved, but there's
singer Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own
between them. There's a sense that
also this excitement that comes from
Me" for an adoring audience of fags
these two enjoy playing it up for the
exploring new territory, and I love to
and dykes. Little wonder that lesbian
fans, yes, but that they do truly relish
surprise myself. If I started to think
fans are charmed but confused.
the connection between them. Blanch-
about the potential downside, if things
Certainly for the Cate-and-Rooney
ett again appears with Mara in the new
don't work out as well as I hoped they
shippers, and lesbian fandom in gen-
Terrence Malick film, Weightless.And
might, I would probably be so terrified
eral, the couple chemistry between
while Blanchett mentions her husband
that I wouldn't take those risks. But I
Mara and Blanchett is palpable, not
and three sons in just about every in-
don't know any other way of working.
baseless. The pair demonstrate a
terview she does, the person largely re-
physical closeness whenever they
sponsible for her success this past de-
appear in public together-Blanchett's
cade is her super-agent Hylda Queally,
make it mine. The process involved
playful grab at Mara's breast, a touch
who also manages Kate Winslet, Mar-
in that also still terrifies me, but it's
of the leg, hand-holding on the red
ion Cotillard, Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle
the only way I know. It was the same
carpet, and many penetrating glances
Williams, and Jessica Chastain.
thing when I met my husband Andrew.
between them. Blanchett's protective
We had known each other only three
arm encircling Mara, and Mara often
Blanchett such a pleasure to watch is
weeks when he asked me to marry
looking down in shyness or stealing
her thorough femaleness-a display of
him. But I said yes because I knew it
a look at her co-star. Hands even dis-
the feminine self as absolute. Self-suf-
was the right thing:' Twenty years later
appear from view whenever they are
ficient. It's never moored to her love
they're still together. "We both believe
photographed together, such as at the
for the male lead. Her embodiment of
in destiny and the kind of adventure
2017 Paris Fashion Week's Givenchy
Marvel Comics' Hela,a gothic goddess
that comes from a decision taken very
show. Mara practically evangelized
of death who manages to crush Thor's
quicklY:'
Blanchett when presenting her with an
hammer with one hand, is a feast for
"It's something very visceral with me.
Whenever I play a character, I need to
One of the many things that make
SPRING
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CURVE 65
COVER STORY
~
Iu
.3,,_-
1
a:
_g
1-
i:::i..
.8
E
2
LL
I
"Ofcourseoneworries
aboutgetting
older.
I'msimply
notpanicking
asmylaughlines
growdeeper.
Whowantsa facewithno
history,
nosenseofhumor?"
SPRING
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CURVE 67
COVER STORY
the eyes as well as a feminist statement.
She is the first female Marvel screen
villain. "Let's face it: as a woman, these
opportunities have not in the past come
up very frequently,' Blanchett says. "I've
seen so many of the Marvel franchises,
particularly being the mother of four ...and
I think there's a revolution happening from
within Marvel.
"It was fun doing the action scenes, and
part of the benefit of being in the superhero universe is that you have to get very fit.
I did a lot of action scenes and [Afro-Brazilian martial arts form] capoeira stuff,
which is part of how Hela manifests all
these weapons out of her hands:'
As much as Blanchett has become a
feminist icon for other actresses, she too
has had role models of her own. "Gena
Rowlands is someone who has had a
big influence on me. I loved her work in
the films she did with her husband, John
Cassavetes, especially A Woman Under
the Influence.I saw her as kind of a model
for the kind of career I wanted to have. I
also thought she was incredible in Gloria
[directed by Cassavetes], and her way of
creating a character really made a deep
impression on me. I learnt so much from
watching and studying her work:'
And Blanchett cites her own matrilineal
connections as lifelong inspirations for
her. "My mother and grandmother have
been my inspirations in terms of their
sense of self-respect and independence.
And that was reflected in how they
dressed and that had a big impact on me.
I remember whenever I've been to Italy,
for example, I've noticed how well women
68 CURVE
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COVER STORY
dress in cities like Rome. It seems that
want to go through those years again. I
a myriad of compromises, and you
elegance and good taste run in their
enjoyed my 30s a great deal and now, in
try to provide the best possible life for
DNN'
my 40s, I feel my life has become even
your children while pursuing your own
When she's not working and being
better. I would rather approach getting
goals in life. I was more worried when
gorgeous, she fine-tunes her acting
older with a lot of curiosity and a sense
I went back to work after my first child,
skills through observing ordinary peo-
of adventure. Even though you might
but then I saw that it wasn't so hard to
ple. "I like watching other people shop
like to fight it, there's not much point!"
when I go to the supermarket. Also,
Can women have it all? Blanchett
when I take my children to the park to
prides herself on taking care of her chil-
play,when I'm sitting down, I'll find my-
dren and her career at the same time.
organize things, after all. You discover
that you enjoy being busy and figuring
out ways to balance everything.
"I think it's important to set an exam-
self analyzing what other people are
Known for having high professional
ple and show how the two can work
doing or what they might be thinking
standards, does she also put pressure
together quite well;' she says, in spite
about. All those things feed into your
of admitting that looking after four
actor's mentality and how you're in the
children while pursuing her career
Twitter are often used in an exhibition-
certainly
thinkthat can be "a marvelous form of chaos ... I
there's this idea that I've got it all
whenIflickthrough think
figured out. Believe me, it couldn't be
further from that. One slip-up and it's
allthemagazines
at
a big old disaster,' she laughs.
thehairdresser's
Ilike And as for the kids being intimidated
mom? 'They couldn't
toseeandamdrawn bygivea asuperstar
rats about what I do. It is of
toimages
thathavean absolutely little importance to them:'
The newest addition to the family is a
intelligence
andmind little girl, Edith, who Blanchett adoptand who she often takes on proatworkbehind
them." edmotional
trips with her.
ist way,which isn't healthy, particularly
Meanwhile, we look forward to what-
habit of thinking about human behavior and psychology. That's a huge part
of your process as an actor:'
Blanchett scores points for her aversion to social media, stating rather
astutely that it "can be huge source of
rivalry and jealousy amongst friends,
and when you're taking selfies it's a
way of seeing how much people like
you. Social media can be a great way
to communicate and connect with
other people, but I think selfies and
~~1
on herself to be the perfect mom? "No,
ever Blanchett does next, especially
And on the subject of being older
because there's no such thing. I don't
the heist film Ocean'sEight,the all-fe-
and wiser, Blanchett, who will turn 50
believe in the notion that a woman,
male spin-off of Ocean'sEleven,set for
in May 2019, accepts aging as part of
much less a man, can have it all. Wom-
release in June this year. Blanchett
life. "Getting older happens to all of
en have become more independent in
joins an ensemble female cast includ-
us, and there are many advantages
terms of wanting to pursue their careers
ing her Carol co-star Sarah Paulson.
that come with age. I feel much more
in society and enjoying the same kinds
"It's a dream-team cast;' she says.
comfortable in my skin today than
of opportunities as men. I think the en-
"We have Sandra Bullock, Anne Hatha-
for younger people:'
I ever have before. I am much more
tire notion puts too much pressure on
way, Helena Bonham Carter, Rihanna,
confident and secure in who I am than
men and women, especially in the case
and it's great to be able to work with
when I was in my 20s. I would never
of single parents. Life always involves
women like that:'
SPRING
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CURVE 69
n a perfect world, Nona Hendryx
never made the same album twice-a
would be in the Rock & Roll Hall of
commercial hazard, perhaps, but also
Fame and on the cover of Essence.
a testament to her artistry. Over the
She would be considered legendary
years, she has dabbled in everything
not just by black rockers and NYC
from dance rock to New Age music to
I
hipsters but by the general public
straight-up soul-and she has worked
(and certainly by women the world
with artists as diverse as Keith Rich-
over). She would be signed to a major
ards, Laurie Anderson, Billy ("At This
label, and you would be able to hear
Moment") Vera, members of Chic, and
her songs on the radio. But if there's
Peter Baumann of Tangerine Dream.
anything we can be sure of-especially after last year's election-it's
that
we don't live in a perfect world.
Now 73, Hendryx shows no signs
of slowing down; if anything, she is
shifting into high gear! In late 2017,
The basics: Hendryx was born in
she and the seemingly ubiquitous
New Jersey, an artsy kid from the
guitarist Gary Lucas collaborated on
word go. By the early 1960s, she was
The World of Captain Beefheart. This
one-quarter of the popular girl group
new album, recorded in lower Man-
Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, and
hattan, finds Hendryx and Lucas cov-
she stayed with them through their
ering a dozen songs by the legendary
radical transformation in the '70s. As
blues-rock experimentalist Don Van
Labelle, (now a trio: LaBelle, Hendryx,
Vliet (AKA Captain Beefheart), who
and Sarah Dash) the group became
passed away in 2010. "I've been a fan
something of a funk-rock phenom-
since I saw him play in New York in
enon, issuing several well-received
the '70s;' she remembers. "Other than
albums and scoring a number-one
Sonny Rollins or maybe [Frank] Zap-
single with the classic "Lady Mar-
pa, I hadn't heard anything like that
malade!' After their breakup, Patti
before.... I couldn't believe my ears,
LaBelle obviously launched a very
you know, because it was such a ca-
successful solo career. But there's
cophony of sound. Not like anything
no question that the most interest-
else. And lyrically-because
ing career-for 40 years and count-
lyrics - it was like, 'What?!? What are
ing-has
I love
belonged to Hendryx. She
you singing about?' There was just
was Labelle's risk taker, renaissance
something there [and] I was hooked.
woman, and space-age spirit. Her
Still am .... You know, I always liked
self-titled debut, released in 1977,
Zappa, and I looked into John Cage
was a critically acclaimed disc that
[and] Wendy Carlos. I'm very interest-
leaned toward hard rock. But Hend-
ed in that kind of post-beatnik thing.
ryx has avoided categorization and
I'm old enough to remember the beat-
to remember the beatniks. It was peo-
always [placed] in the category of R&B
ple who wore turtlenecks and berets
or soul;' she says, explaining its gene-
and did poetry...l think I wanted to be
sis. "Other than Spotify, they don't have
that [even as a kid]. I'd grown out of
funk as a category [anymore]. How
wanting to be Annette Funicello, you
long have we been doing funk music?
know, and do Beach Blanket Bingo;'
And funk really is a hybrid of R&B and
she says with a laugh.
rock, in a way. Think of Funkadelic. I
But the Beefheart tribute is just one
mean, how could you not have a cate-
of the projects that keep Hendryx busy.
gory [with] George Clinton? Earth, Wind
She's also readying an EP she did with
& Fire is not an R&B group. Labelle
the Boston-based electronic funk duo
was not an R&B group ....We were not
Soul Clap. But the biggest project she
allowed to be in rock [but] we didn't
will be unveiling in 2018 is a residency
really fit in R&B. [And] there are a lot
at Joe's Pub, one of the hippest and
of women who are funk rockers who
most diverse venues in NYC and an
don't get noticed! Because there's no
extension of the Public Theater. Hend-
category for them. So [often] they're
ryx has been named the first recipient
sort of cattle-prodded into being R&B....
of the venue's Vanguard Residency-
That has always been an issue. And it's
which means that she will basically
not the artists who are saying it, it's the
have free rein (and the money) to stage
industry that says 'This is this and that
monthly events of her choosing for a
is that:
full year. "It was an honor to be the first
"So I'm going to do Rock Solid Women
person to be asked [to do this]:' she
because there are many [women] in the
tells me. And I guess what it means is
NY area who nobody sees:•she contin-
that there is a community here in New
ues. ''They're like the Invisible Woman.
York that I think a lot of people don't
Not the Invisible Man but the Invisible
feel, and [that] I think I missed for some
Woman. So I wanna make them visible.
time. [So] it was really nice to find out
You know, start at Joe's Pub, maybe
that it's still there, and that it is an ex-
end up doing a tour ....l have to keep cre-
tension of what Joseph Papp started
ating a category for myself. Because I
in the beginning. So to be given this
don't do R&B; I think I do something
honor, and the financial consideration
much more akin to rock. So that's what
that comes with it-and the support to
that is for. I'm planting this flag, saying
present not only myself but other art-
these rock solid women are here and
ists-you know, I really feel grateful:'
should be recognized:'
One of the events Hendryx will be
Amen, sister!
staging at Joe's (in the spring) is an
evening called Rock Solid Women. "I'm
nonahendryx.com
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coast of Panama.
emerge in the Pacific Ocean.
vate island. We anchored off an iso-
The Wind Star, a beautifully appointed sailing yacht with
148
Our transit took all day, giving us
lated little bay, and the ship provid-
plenty of time to geek out on en-
ed everything else we might want,
lucky women aboard, proudly flew
gineering feats and to admire the
including massage tents, kayaks,
both the Gay Pride and Olivia flags.
scenery and wildlife on the Isthmus
paddleboards, a full bar, and enough
We spent that first evening unpack-
of Panama. A naturalist was on
food for a BBQ feast. Best of all, we
ing, getting to know one another,
board to point out the significant
had the place to ourselves-our
meeting the Olivia staff, and enjoy-
landmarks and to help identify the
own Central American version of
ing our first taste of the entertain-
wildlife.
the Isle of Lesbos.
ment: comedians Lisa Koch and
Sandra Valls.
On deck, some women were lean-
The next day we were in Puerto
ing off the railing with their binoc-
Jimenez, a small town at the south
Considered by the American So-
ulars and cameras, while others
end of the Osa Peninsula. This was
ciety of Civil Engineers to be one of
were content to relax in the hot tub.
our first big chance for excursions
the Seven Wonders of the Modern
We made it under the Bridge of the
and most of my fellow Olivia cruis-
World, the Panama Canal connects
Americas and out to the Pacific just
ers ventured out to kayak through
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the mangroves, sail through pods
On the final day of our cruise we
of wild dolphins, or visit the local
docked in Quepos, a former banana
chocolate farms. But some of my
exporting town and the gateway
new friends and I opted to explore
to Manuel Antonio National Park,
the town instead. We found the lo-
where the rainforests lead right
cals to be warm, friendly, and more
up to white sand beaches, and you
than happy to help us with our
can cool off in the Pacific after
shopping. The prices were cheap
your nature hike.
and we were able to stock up on
There were also plenty of excur-
gifts for friends back home-arts
sions to choose from and I want-
and crafts, jewelry, woven goods-
ed to check off one more item on
with plenty of time left over for ta-
my bucket list, so I headed into
cos and beer before heading back
the canopy to try zip-lining. Har-
to the ship.
nessed up and helmet on, I stood
By daybreak we were anchored
off another beautiful bay, Bahia
at the edge of a platform high up
in the trees. A brief moment ofter-
point to
ror gave way to an afternoon of joy
Corcovado National Park, which
and exhilaration as I glided through
Drake, our stepping-off
describes
trees and over ravines, spotting
as "the most biologically intense
sloths and monkeys, and enjoying
place on Earth."
a whole new level of the rainforest.
National
Geographic
I joined one of the hikes and from
Back on the ship that evening
the moment we entered the isolat-
the mood turned nostalgic. Our
ed reserve it was clear that this
cruise director, Jill Cruse, treated
old-growth rainforest is teeming
us to a slideshow of photos, and it
with biodiversity. We spotted scar-
was hard to believe we had lived so
let macaws right away, and before
much in one week. We hadn't just
we had walked another 200 yards
seen the sights; we had shared
we encountered sloths, monkeys,
experiences together. As I looked
poison dart frogs, a golden orb spi-
around the room, I realized that
der, countless reptiles, butterflies,
each of the 148 women on board
and insects. Back on the ship that
felt like family. I'm still in touch
evening, the dining room was alive
with many of the friends I made,
with women sharing stories and
and we are looking forward to our
photos of their personal rainforest
next Olivia adventure together.
experiences.
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ike many people, I made a
L
to stand with our feet rooted in the
New Year's resolution to get
earth as the sounds of the waves
healthy, lose weight, and take
fill my ears. The sun comes up over
better care of myself. I started off
the mountains behind us, sparkling
strong with a strict cleanse and a
on the water in front of us, and I feel
tough exercise regime but within a
more awake and alive than I have all
couple weeks I was cheating, and
year.
by the time February came around I
was back to my old habits.
Monday: Getting up for Sunrise
Yoga is easier this morning, now
My girlfriend and I had planned an
that I know what is in store. Richelle
Olivia resort vacation in Mexico that
takes us through another gentle
spring. I was excited to get away,
empowering sequence, and today
but also frustrated with myself that I
I keep the yummy feeling going by
wouldn't be in the bikini shape I had
staying for the meditation class af-
hoped for.
terwards. In the afternoon, my girl-
When we heard that Olivia had
friend and I take a break from the
added a Mind, Body & Spirit program
sun and attend a Healthy Eating talk
to our week, I was intrigued. I knew
in one of the ballrooms. No strict
it was too late for this season's biki-
cleanses here, only advice on small
ni body, but I decided to give it a try
changes and simple recipes to in-
anyway. Here's how it went:
ject more fresh ingredients into our
Saturday: We arrive at the resort
lifestyle.
and instantly go into vacation mode.
Tuesday: I'm on a roll with the
The resort is beautiful and it is filled
yoga and the meditation. I feel so
with so many women! We hit the bar
good that my girlfriend is inspired
and the pool and I forget all about
to join the Butch Yoga class after
being healthy until I see the extra
breakfast. While she is busy with
program in our room. Olivia has their
that, I sit in on a talk about mindful-
original schedule of pool games,
ness and self-care. This evening, I fit
parties, comedy shows, and all the
in some time for Sunset Yoga right
fun things. The Mind, Body & Spirit
before getting ready for dinner and
program is a free extra layer on top
the show.
of everything else, filled with yoga,
Wednesday:I shamelessly sleep
meditation, workouts, and lectures. I
in this morning. This is what self-
start to worry. Have I overscheduled
care looks like, right? Besides, danc-
my vacation? Will getting healthy
ing all night last night to DJ Rock-
get in the way of having fun?
away was definitely healthy. In the
Sunday:The alarm rings way too
afternoon, Gina Breedlove's Sound
early, and I quietly curse to myself
Healing session gets me to create
as I fumble for my workout clothes
harmony within my body, and then I
in the dark. Out by the beach, our in-
take in a Strength Training class to
structor, Richelle Donigan, guides us
round out my day.
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Thursday: I'm back at early yoga
Saturday: As we head to the air-
and meditation today. I realize that
port for the trip back home, I reflect
all these extra classes have not been
on how much better and happier I
getting in the way of our vacation at
feel. I have new friends, a killer sun-
all. We can pick and choose what we
tan, a morning yoga routine, some
White-sand beaches,turquoise
want and still have plenty of time to
fresh recipes to try, and a positive
waters, some of the best snor-
swim in the ocean and make new
vision of my future.
keling in the world, all the food
friends by the pool.
Olivia's
Cancun,
Mexico
ResortMay1g-26, 2018
Back in January, all the cleanses
and beverages you can dream
Friday: It's the last full day at the
and exercise had only made me feel
of, top-notch entertainment,
resort, and we try to do everything.
deprived, stressed, and hangry. Now
and Olivia's all-new Mind, Body
Yoga, meditation, strength training,
I have a new resolution. I resolve to
& Spirit Retreat featuring med-
nutrition, mindfulness. In the after-
be gentle with myself, to be mind-
itation sessions, motivational
noon, we take a Vision Workshop
ful of what is nourishing to my own
lectures, tennis, pickleball, and
with Richelle, and I envision incorpo-
body and soul, and to coordinate my
kickboxing clinics, and sports
rating the tools I've learned here into
next vacation with the next Olivia
and life workshops.
my everyday life back home.
Mind, Body and Spirit program.
82 CURVE
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LIVING
TRUE
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