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Description
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ToC Women We Love: Daya (p10); Food: Crista Luedtke (p16); Style: Emily Meyer (p28); Cover: Nats Getty (p60); History: Gay Liberation (p70); Event: WorldPride 2019 (p76)
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issue
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1
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Date Issued
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Spring 2019
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Format
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PDF/A
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Publisher
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Frances Stevens
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Identifier
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Curve_Vol29_No1_Spring-2019_OCR_PDFa.pdf
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extracted text
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L I V I N G
91
7
25274
80539
6
T R U E
MASTHEAD
CURVE
LIVING
TRUE
Spring201g » volume2g number 1
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, Jennifer McDowell, Rachel Paulson, Dave Steinfeld
Editorial Assistant Liv Steigrad
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 by
Stephanie Saias
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Liv Steigrad
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melanie Barker, Victoria A. Brownworth, Christie Hardwicke, Anita Dolce Vita, Alex Eugene,
Dave Steinfeld, Lisa Tedesco
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Grace Chu, Jill Greenberg, Sheryl Kay, Syd London, B. Proud,
Amanda Ramon, Stephanie Saias, Rachael Zimmerman
CONTACT
Curve Magazine
PO Box 1099
Darlinghurst NSW 1300, Australia
Phone (415) 871-0569
Subscription Inquiries subscriptions@curvemag.com
Advertising Email todd@curvemagazine.com
Editorial Email editor@curvemag.com
Letters to the Editor Email letters@curvemagazine.com
Volume 29 Issue 1 Curve (ISSN 1087-867X) 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 {USPS0010-355). 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 SASEfor 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,
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Box 17138, N. Hollywood, CA 91615-7138. Printed in the U.S
curvemag.com
4 CURVE
SPRING
Whether you come to KeyWest seelc:infcalm, clear aters
and stunnir,z sunsets;,the world' freshest seafood, or our
scene,we e been an island of opa,-mnded
"'1br;antcult.J.Jr:al
1hinkin;;:for more than a century.
tla-~s.oomJE,ayl...-.eywest]05.294. 4603
Content
Women We Love: Daya
The Grammy-nominated,
out musical
prodigy is bringing it for the girls and
headling The Dinah.
Food: Crista Luedtke
An out Sonoma chef has transformed a
sleepy town on the edge of the redwoods
into a culinary mecca.
Style: Emily Meyer
Smart and stylish suits for Spring by an
out lesbian designer from the San Francisco Bay Area.
6 CURVE
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SPRING
Event: WorldPride 2019
The Big Apple hosts the world's biggest
LGBT party this June and we've booked
History: Gay Liberation
a suite at the AC Hotel Times Square to
celebrate.
Beth Suskin and Leslie Cohen modeled
for a monument that became part of the
Cover: Nats Getty
first LGBT landmark in America.
The out 'rainbow rebel' has launched her
lifestyle label Strike Oil, combining art
with activism.
SPRING
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CURVE 7
OUR TEAM
Contributors
AnitaDolce
Vita
Style
Dave
Steinfeld
Music
Leslie
Cohen
History
AnitaDolceVita
Anita Dolce Vita is a queer femme, queer fashion and travel writer whose work has been
featured in HBO, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, at the Brooklyn Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the International Center of Photography, South by Southwest, and
more. Anita is also the owner of dapperQ, a digital queer style magazine and fashion show
production company. This issue, Anita previews Spring suits.
DaveSteinfeld
Dave Steinfeld grew up in Connecticut and is now based in New York City. He has been a
professional journalist since 1999 and has arguably written about queer women in music
more than any male journalist in America. Dave's first piece for Curve was on The Cliks, and
since then he has written about Patti Smith, Neneh Cherry, Ani DiFranco, Ann Wilson and
the Indigo Girls. For this issue, he spoke with Amanda Palmer who called him "an honorary
lesbian."
LeslieCohen
In 1979 Leslie Cohen was asked by the famous artist George Segal to model for "Gay Liberation;' the life-size sculpture of two same-sex couples that commemorates the Stonewall
Rebellion in New York City. She agreed with one recommendation: that she be represented
next to her then partner and now wife Beth Suskin. "If you want to capture something special;' she said, "you should capture me and Bethie. I'm mad for this woman!' Leslie shares
her story in what is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.
8 CURVE
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WELCOME
Editorial
Strike
Oil,
withits
colorful
designs,
helps
builda platform
for
LGBTQ
individuals
0
ne of the most direct ways to be authentic is to demand visibility,and one of the most immediateways
to achievethat is through personalstyle. Fashionis
an increasinglyimportant form of expressionfor queer wom-
en. Recently,Nats Getty,a high-profileartist and LGBTQrights
activist-and the out-and-proudheir to the Getty fortune-
Editorin Chief
Merryn Johns
launched her own label,Strike Oil. When I met Nats in New
York she told me the motto of the label was Rise Early,Work
Hard,Strike Oil. It's a sayingfrom the man who built the Getty
empire,but Nats has repurposedit as a mantra for what she
refersto as "the differents"-those of us who nevertruly fit in.
Resourcefulnessis, no doubt, a road to reward,but for Nats,
and for so many of us, our sense of personaladvancementis
tied to the broader LGBTQcommunity. Strike Oil,with its colorful, street-inspireddesigns,channels Nat's rebelliousnessto
help build a platform for LGBTQindividualsand to send a messageto us to wear our identities proudly.So this spring,I hope
you go out there and "strikeoil" in whateveraspect of your life
needsit the most..
merryn@curvemag.com
SPRING
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CURVE 9
WOMEN WE LOVE
The Grammy Award-winning pop sensation is headlining The Dinah.
It's been a meteoric rise for Daya since her 2016 double-plat-
created and turn it into unity through our music and art, while
inum single "Hide Away',' a Grammy Award, a gold-certified
also speaking for the voices of the minorities who do not have
album, a national tour, and a second album on its way. Lucky
a platform of their own to be heard on. I hope to continue to
for us that the 21-year-old out musical prodigy is headlining
grow and educate and be educated in that way and use my
the world's biggest party for queer women-The
voice to heal and continue fighting for what's right.
Dinah.
Onwriting
songswithanempowering
message
for
women
Oncoming
outasbisexual
lastyear
I've always been fairly ambiguous and explorative with my
Female empowerment is something I've always felt import-
sexuality, but it wasn't until this past year that I got to cement
ant to touch on with my art, especially after entering this in-
those feelings into a relationship. I had a hard time dating and
dustry and experiencing its injustice in the flesh. I think "Hide
seeing people while I was on tour for the first few years of my
Away" and "Sit Still Look Pretty" were great songs, definitive
career, with the distance and everything, so it wasn't until I
of me in the period of time they were written in, but I'd like to
settled in L.A. that I really got the chance to explore my sexu-
think I'm still growing and expanding on those ideas. I'd still
ality. I met my girlfriend at my label and we kept in touch for
like to see more women as CEOsof companies, more women
a few months, then randomly met up one night and basically
in STEM, and better pay for women across the board. I'd also
have spent all l 0 months since then side by side. When I told
just the ones work-
my family about it, I think they were more surprised that I was
ing for themselves, but also the ones staying home, raising a
dating anyone rather than that she's a girl. I did face obstacles
family, embracing their bodies, wearing makeup, not wearing
with a few people in my life, but the culture in L.A. and my
makeup, etc. I just want girls to feel empowered to do things
friends out here really helped me stay confident in my sexu-
for themselves-whatever that means-and not because they
ality. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing, open
feel the need to impress a guy or fit into a certain mold.
minds and a community so accepting and universally loving.
Onbeinginvited
totheWhiteHouse
byBarack
Obama
Onwhatshe'sexpecting
fromTheDinah
like to empower all types of women-not
I'm honored to have had the chance to meet a president whose
I actually first heard of Dinah Shore from my band last year-I
political and social ideologies line up so closely with mine. Mi-
think my guitarist's girlfriend was there at the time when we
chelle Obama is also one of my idols, and I've been lucky to
were on tour. Once I realized it's just a massive gay-girl party
meet her and work with her several times. As for the current
I freaked out. It feels so common for gay guys to have these
administration, I don't think it solely takes a difference in pol-
types of outlets, but is much rarer for girls, so for this to hap-
itics to disagree. I think being a human being with empathy
pen, and in Palm Springs in the middle of festival season,
is enough. He has chosen to speak and think solely from the
is a dream. I'm excited to be there and celebrate with my
straight, white, wealthy male perspective, because it's clear
LGBTQsisters and get fucking wild. I wanna make this show
that's all he is privileged enough to know. I don't think there
a unique experience, especially to give back to the communi-
would ever be a world where he would respect my existence
ty that's helped so much in guiding me through my sexuality
as a queer girl, so I'm not entirely sure how to respect his. But,
over the past year. Gonna be a really exciting moment-get
I do think it's a very important time for awareness and activ-
your tix now, ladies!
ism, and I think we've made a lot of exciting strides in the past
few years. I believe it's on us as artists to take the division he's
thedinah.com
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TRENDS I TOYS
Reclaiming
OurPleasure
Women are disrupting the adult market, one toy at a time.
A
s a designer of award-winning sex toys
for Crave, a female-led, San Francisco-based brand, I'm excited to be part
of the enormous cultural shift in the way we talk
about our sexual health and pleasure. We've
seen tremendous mainstream demand for and
acceptance of the products we and other modern brands create to enhance our sexual experiences and open up the conversation about what
we desire. But there are also some real "WTF"
moments where we need to see real change.
TheGood:
• Seedy "adult" bookstores and porn shops are
either closing down or upgrading. Shelves of
poorly made novelties in ugly "sexy" packaging
are losing ground to chic modern products that
embrace contemporary design and technology.
TiChang
Increasingly, high-end and mainstream retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Urban Outfitters proudly display Crave products right next
to their other beautiful accessories.
• This previously stigmatized space is now
filled with new entrepreneurs, designers, and
engineers who didn't start out in the adult industry, but have backgrounds in Fortune 500
companies. And guess what? The market is
very interested.
• We love seeing our products come out of the
closet-or bedside drawer. From celebrities like
Janet Jackson accepting a Global Icon award
at the MTV Awards, to everyday folks going
around town, we see women wearing our Vesper vibrator necklace proudly, as a statement
both of fashion and of feminism.
12 CURVE
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LoraDicarloproduct
TRENDS I TOYS
• When we toured the U.S. last year in our Crave
Even without a double standard, why is
Pleasure Factory, a converted Airstream trailer
sexual health and pleasure still considered
where we hosted Build-A-Vibeworkshops, we
offensive in the 21st century marketplace
saw firsthand how losing the stigma around
of ideas? We don't see this in the larg-
sex toys can help people own their desire and
er community, where our products have
pleasure, spark conversations with their part-
been met with acceptance and delight.
ners and friends, and make sexual well-being
People are eager to have healthier and
an accepted part of their health and happiness.
more open-minded conversations about
sexuality, and they're frustrated that they
TheHuh:
• With this influx of new companies and prod-
can't find products that support these
conversations
in the places-like
ucts, you'll hear a fair share of sensational
and Facebook-where
claims to be "the first product that..:' and "the
find them.
CES
they'd expect to
only vibrator with ..:' Many products will be
For 2019, my hope is that we can help
quick to implement newer Internet of Things
move the conversation forward both in
technologies and then under-deliver on the ex-
the tech world and in everyday interac-
perience. Imagine having your partner point-
tions, paving the way to create and market
ing a remote control directly at your crotch to
new technologies that enhance people's
make sure the signal is received! Makes you
lives with sexual pleasure, well-being, and
feel real sexy, right?
happiness.
TheReally
Frustrating
WTF
Moments:
• You'd think that the tech community-normally a proud early adopter on all thingswould be eager to embrace innovative products like ours, right? You'd be surprised. The
noted Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
recently revoked an Innovation Award from
the woman-run sex toy startup Lora Dicarlo,
one of a number of companies that is driving
innovation in this space, on the grounds that
the product was "immoral, obscene, indecent,
profane"-which was, unfortunately, not a surprise to us, because Crave had been denied
entry to CES a few years earlier on the same
grounds.
• Companies like ours can't advertise or promote posts on Facebook, regardless of the
content. And we see a clear double standard
here: Products that support male sexual
well-being are generally allowed, while products that support women's pleasure are not.
Viagra and other erectile dysfunction products? No problem. Vibrators? No way.
SPRING
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TRENDS I CANDLES
LightUpYourLife
gothic-inspired black holders. "Naming the candles took some debating, but ultimately came
very naturally. Nineties witches in pop culture
A married couple designs affordable
luxury candles for every season.
(e.g. Willow!) really influenced us as teens, and
continue to now, so every time we light a Coven
Candle, we feel really connected to our roots;'
says Jocelyn.
But if your tastes run a little lighter, try the
Flower Power Candle Set-the ultimate springtime bundle of three floral scents. From bright
peonies to luscious jasmine with hints of vanilla and berries, these candles, when burned
together, transport you to the garden party of
your dreams.
And it's a clean burn: Every part of a handpoured, soy wax Bijou candle is meticulously
sourced to give you the best that $29 can buy.
AlainaandJocelyn
J
ocelyn Drew, 33, and Alaina Young Drew,
32, discovered they had a candle-hoarding problem after they married in New
Hampshire and moved in together in New York
City. Their luxury candles were too expensive to
burn so they invented Bijou, scented candles affordable enough to use every day. Jocelyn is the
nose behind complex, seductive scents; Alaina
designs the product, packaging, and branding.
"We spent a year and a half developing the
fragrances for the Starlet Collection;' says Jocelyn. "We had begun referring to them as 'her'
and 'she; like, 'OMG, she smells like a cozy day
in bed!' and they really started to have these
personalities for us. We've always been very inspired by women in pop culture, and aesthetically our candles have a very Old Hollywood glamour to them, so it was a no-brainer to name them
after classic actresses."
"As queer women we often found ourselves
looking to these iconic characters for comfort
and strength;' says Alaina.
The latest line is based on very different inspiration. The Candle Coven Trio borrows its aesthetic from the l 990s-earthy, herbal scents in
14 CURVE
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bijoucandles.com
1000
ent'~n e d
426
co
AUID.
e
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
16 CURVE
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FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Restaurants
andRedwoods
Crista Luedtke is the visionary behind a food empire in an idyllic Sonoma town.
MerrynJohns
rista Luedtke gets things done. The energetic chef-owner at
C
Guerneville's boon eat + drink is also the proprietor of El Barrio, a Mexican cocktail lounge next door on Main Street, and
the proprietor of boon hotel + spa, a much-loved, low-key LGBTQresort
nestled on the edge of an ancient redwood grove. She also owns the
"lumberjack chic" Big Bottom Market, a rustic general store and cafe
selling locally sourced provisions and wine. And you might have seen
her as Triple Grand Champion and judge on the Food Network's Guy's
GroceryGames.
Luedtke is not a trained chef, but she comes from a family of cooks
and restaurant owners. Born in Wisconsin and raised in Arizona, Luedtke settled in San Francisco after identifying as gay-that
is, until
SPRING
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CURVE 17
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
a melting pot of people. There are many
she left the Bay Area's corporate world to
that decimated the region were par-
pursue her dream of running her own con-
ticularly shocking and impacted the
longtime locals and multigenerational
sortium of hospitable establishments in
whole community. But Luedtke has
families here, mixed with the newcom-
Guerneville, a lumber town on Sonoma's
learned a lot during those disasters-
ers who have given up the fast-paced
Russian River. Drawing on the experience
about herself, the people around her,
city life, and then there are the hospitality
she gained helping friends who cater large
and the environment. 'Through the re-
and vineyard workers;' reveals Luedtke.
events in San Francisco, she developed
cent fires and past floods, I definitely
"It makes for a fun and funky mix. The
her own cooking style, featuring simple,
learned how resilient our community
summers are so amazing and that is the
elevated food with clean, fresh, bold fla-
is and how tight-knit we are. Everyone
time when San Francisco is cold, so this
has come together to build an even
becomes an easy escape from the city
"I want to surprise you with simple
stronger community and the support,
and a haven of warmth, fun, and frolicking
tricks that take something from good to
not only for one another but for their
on the river'.'
great;' says Luedtke, who is passionate
businesses, is inspiring. Another thing
In the last few years, in some ways
about growing her own vegetables and
I learned is to do more planning ahead,
thanks to Luedtke's investment in the
herbs, and travels widely to explore other
because it's not if these things will
town, Guerneville has become a year-
vors-and plenty of vegetables.
cultures so she can seed their influences
happen again, it's when.So it's been a
round versus just a seasonal destination.
into her own ventures. Some of what ends
good lesson in how to prepare'.'
She has been instrumental in helping to
up on your plate at boon eat + drink was
And Guerneville has the sort of
brand the town's appeal as a complete
grown in the garden of her hotel, and the
working-class and gay resilience that
experience, encompassing great wine,
bold and colorful El Barrio was inspired by
means it will always bounce back.
food, the redwoods, and the river, so that
a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. She describes
"Guerneville has been a gay destina-
there's something for everyone. But the
her cuisine as "seasonally-driven sexy
tion for decades. It was actually in the
transformation of this sleepy hamlet has
comfort food. I definitely have a Mediter-
1980s and '90s that many gay men
not come without its accusations of gen-
ranean bent, as our climate is so similar,'
came to die up here during the AIDS
trification from lowkey locals, and Luedt-
she says.
crisis. There is such a rich history of
ke has struggled to handle that criticism.
But Northern California is not without
this area if you dig into it, but I think
"It's hard at times because I'm working
its challenges. The Russian River has a
it's such a great destination because
so hard to create great businesses, both
history of flooding, and the recent wildfires
it's so open and accepting and, frankly,
for the locals and for tourists. Restau-
0
~
::,
0...
~
w
~
18 CURVE
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SPRING
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
rants and hospitality is a really tough in-
lifestyle where home and work were in
dustry. We do it because we love it. I've
the same place, she could spend more
highly recommend you make the de-
created a lot of jobs for people and I have
time with Boon. But this gift came at a
tour if you're in the Bay Area-I was lucky
helped turn this town around. But there
price: Luedtke lost her marriage due to
enough to snag a table at the 36-seat
are some people who don't like change.
the challenges of getting a resort and a
boon eat + drink, and to sample Luedtke's
Good news is, there are many more who
restaurant up and running while being
seasonal California comfort food, which
love it, and it's clearly been a good thing
open to even more ventures. And as if
pairs perfectly with local wines. The menu
for the community. I really just try to do my
running all these establishments isn't
has something for everyone, especially
thing, do it well, work hard, and be kind to
enough, Luedtke pitched the networks
healthy eaters. The freshly-caught salm-
people:'
a food and travel show called Lost in
on was seared to perfection, and the
Taste,which is based on the concept
vegan bowl was brimming with as much
dering, is named after her beloved rescue
of exploring places through plates.
energy as Luedtke herself. But if you can't
dog, Boon, which means "gift:' He was a
You can watch it now on ReachTV.
make it to Guerneville to experience the
Luedtke's brand, in case you were won-
On my recent visit to Guerneville-and
prime motivator in her decision to leave
com, and it will also be launching on
pleasures of "boon-town;' make one of Lu-
her corporate job-if
the Spirits Network early this year.
edtke's delicious dishes, recipe overpage.
she could create a
SPRING
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CURVE 19
FOOD
I R~VOu
10 C RV
ON
I
SP I
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
FOR THE YOGURT:
MAIN INGREDIENTS:
If possible let the yogurt drain out overnight by hanging
it in strainer lined with cheese cloth over a bowl. This will
0
Heirloom baby carrots
make for an even thicker and luxurious texture to your
O
Cilantro leaves
yogurt. It's worth it. Salt the yogurt with 1 1/2 tsp salt
0
Moroccan sauce (see recipe below)
0
Toasted seeds (see below)
0
Greek yogurt
0
Smoking gun/chips
so it has a nice flavor. Place yogurt in a stainless steel
mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Tuck hose of
smoking gun under the plastic wrap and light the smoking gun. Once smoke has filled the bowl, turn off gun and
let sit for about 10min, repeat the smoking process one
more time leaving the bowl covered again for additional
10 min. This should infuse a nice smokey flavor.
TomaketheMoroccan
saucecombine
thefallowing
ina blender:
FOR THE TOASTED SEEDS:
I like to use a mix of black and white sesame, pumpkin
and sunflower seeds. Toast seeds in dry saute pan over
•
medium heat until golden. In a food processor or spice
0
2 dry guajillo chilies toasted
(deseeded)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
grinder, gently pulse seeds a time or two to get them a bit
broken up. If you do not have a processor simply put into
1 tbsp yellow curry powder
a re-sealable bag and smash with a meat tenderizer. In a
1 tbsp smoked paprika
bowl season with a bit of kosher salt and a touch of olive
1 tbsp toasted cumin seeds
oil so the salt sticks.
1 tbsp toasted coriander seeds
1 tsp cayenne
FOR THE CARROTS:
Clean heirloom baby carrots (peel if needed) leaving 3/4
1/4c packed brown sugar
inch of the green stem on the ends. Blanch carrots start-
1 tbsp honey
ing in cold water with a generous amount of salt, bring to
0
2 tbsp whole grain mustard
a boil. Drain off some of the hot water, mix in cold water
0
5 ½ tbsp of cider vinegar
to begin to stop the carryover cooking. Add ice to fully
0
¾ tbsp salt ( more to taste)
0
scant cup of olive oil
(stream into blender)
cool. Remove from water.
TO FINISH:
In a large skillet or cast iron pan, take blanched carrots
and sear over medium heat with a bit of olive oil to get
some color. Add a few tablespoons of the Moroccan
sauce to coat all carrots. Using a large spoon, spread a
generous amount of your smoked yogurt on the serving
platter. Arrange carrots on the platter on top of yogurt
sauce, garnish with toasted seeds and cilantro leaves.
Serve immediately.
SPRING
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CURVE 21
PRODUCTS I BEAUTY
Spring
Skin
Say goodbye to the aging effects of winter
with these cruelty free, fair trade products.
A
ge defying beauty products don't have to feel
like a judgment of where we are in life. They can
actually embrace and make the most of the natu-
ral process of aging. Alaffia, the 15-year-old natural beauty
social enterprise, has developed the Age Defying Collection
and it's on our Spring cleaning list. Proudly fair trade, cruelty free and alcohol-free, the collection is formulated to
promote healthy skin and protect it from harmful environmental aggressors. Think of it as a natural-ingredient skin
polisher and protectant. Alaffia's mission goes beyond
skincare to community care. The Washington State and
West-African organization has been on a mission to reduce
poverty and increase gender equality, leading empowerment initiatives that have improved 80,000 lives. Through
social enterprise, ingredients are ethically sourced from
Alaffia's women's cooperatives in West Africa via Fair for
Life standards. Some of these incredible ingredients feature in the Age Defying products including okra, mangosteen fruit and jasmine stem cells. (alaffia.com)
10i=1t1
.i\L-A
AGEDEFYING
~J~,~
4L-t1V'~
AGEDEFYING
~~!~
• Age DefyingSerum(l oz,
• Age DefyingMask (3.4 oz, $18):
$32.50): Can be used in the
morning or as a nighttime serum
to revive, firm and deeply hydrate
skin, while providing continued
protection against environmental effects.
Easy on/easy off face mask
helps purify and detoxify skin
to reveal a smooth, born-again
complexion while supporting
elasticity, firmness and overall
radiance.
22 CURVE
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• AgeDefyingFaceScrub(3.4 oz,
$18): Exfoliates, resurfaces and
refines the face by sloughing off
dead skin cells and removing
impurities, along with minimizing the appearance of uneven
skin tone.
• Age DefyingBodyScrub(7.5
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_
SPRING
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CURVE 23
DRINK
I WINE
TheGrape
Escape
24 CURVE
I
SPRING
DRINK
Discover one of California's best-kept wine secrets.
MelanieBarker
W
hich small winemaking region
is so diverse in viticulture that it
produces a seemingly vast selec-
tion of wines, from Albarino to Zinfandel? It's
located halfway between San Francisco and Los
Angeles along California's famed Central Coast.
Still guessing? It's Paso Robles, a wine-lover's
paradise boasting more than 200 wineries and
40,000 acres of vineyards.
The reason for this bounty is a trio of factors:
unique microclimates, 30 distinct soil types,
and 46 grape varieties. Combined, these factors contribute to a cornucopia of wine made by
family-owned vineyards. Many of these estates
produce small batches (less than 5,000 cases)
which means that if you're drinking wine from
Paso Robles, you're drinking something special.
The region's remarkably varied terrain-from
riv-
ers to rolling hills-means that there are 11 separate viticultural areas within Paso Robles, with
distinct differences in each sub-region's rainfall,
temperatures, topography and soil. The dramatic
swing in temperatures during the day and overnight, and the close proximity to the ocean just
six miles away means that vines yield vibrant fruit
with bold and dynamic flavor profiles.
If you're wondering where to start when sampling Paso Robles wines, consider the area's heritage grape, Zinfandel, first planted in the 1880s,
then work your way back to an Albarino. But there
is also Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet
Franc as Bordeaux varietals are the most planted
in Paso Robles. And there are more Rhone grapes
such as Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne here than
anywhere else in California. Not bad for the New
World!
pasowine.com
SPRING
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I
WINE
□
26
C RV
I
SP I
DRINK
TASTING
NOTES
LoneMadrone
Bailey
RanchZinf
andel2015
A very special wine with only 246 cases produced from vines in the rugged limestone hills.
Aged in oak, this is smooth, medium-bodied
choice to pair with roasted meats.
CLESl
Clesi
WinesSangiovese
2015
This is a delicious medium-bodied wine that
perfectly accompanies pasta and pizza. Lots of
juicy red fruits and a touch of spice make this
LoneMadrone
ClesiSangiovese
easy-drinking and food-friendly.
McPrice
Myers
WinesGrenache
Seldela
2015
Terre
This Rhone style wine has bursts of cherry
and tart cranberry but finishes with a mineral,
savory note and a hint of smoke. "Salt of the
earth" indeed!
NinerWineEstates
Reserve
Cabernet
Franc2014
This velvety wine is bursting with blackberry
and dark cherry notes with a finish of mature
tannins. You'll want to grill a juicy steak with
this.
McPriceMyersGrenache
NinerCabernetFranc
BarrEstateWineryAlbarino
2016
Made with grapes that parallel those from the
Condado do Tea sub-region of Rfas Baixas,
Spain, this bright, zesty wine pairs with seafood
and cheeses.
SummerWood
WineryAltaColina
2016
Vineyard
Marsanne
Made by a Japanese winemaker, this lovely medium-bodied white has aromas of lemon curd
and orange blossoms, opening up into a harmo-
1111/
~ ...
B.~
BarrAlbarino
ny of peaches, pears, and pineapples.
Summerwood
Marsanne
SPRING
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CURVE 27
I WINE
STYLE
I I I'm 100 percent out, so please shout it from
the rooftops! I identify as a lesbian;' says
Emily Meyer, a Bay Area native and the owner of EM, a bespoke suiting line by women, for
women. As queer style goes mainstream, and
thus gets co-opted by designers who do not
identify as LGBTQ but see queer aesthetics as
a source of profit, it is refreshing to see lesbian
labels that are thriving and that fundamentally
understand some of the specific shopping experiences of our communities.
In fact, Meyer's own experience is what inspired the launch of EM. Meyer states, "I worked
at a firm that was fairly formal, and I saw almost
all of the male partners getting their clothes
custom-made for them. I was so jealous, and
in need, that I engaged a few of their tailors to
EmilyMeyer
make some clothing for me. It was a total failure. The fit, the quality, the service, the experi-
_S~ring
Suits
You
ence-it was all way off.
"Several years later, when I was getting married, I knew what I wanted to wear but couldn't
find anyone to make it for me. I had a distinct
vision of wearing a beautiful ivory dinner jacket,
and I just couldn't find one anywhere! I ended
up getting a jacket made for me, and it was gorgeous, but it was insanely expensive, and the
brand was shutting down its women's line.
"After law school, I failed the California Bar
Bespoke suits by women, for women.
Exam, and that was the unfortunate-or
not-
push that I needed to found EM, rather than pursue a career in law. It was really born, as many
AnitaDolceVita
businesses are, in pursuit of solving a problem
for myself!"
Though EM is rooted in Meyer's personal
experience, the label transcends sexual orientation. Increasingly, women in general are in
demand of quality tailored suiting that does
not take a backseat to traditional
menswear.
EM designs and creates fully bespoke suiting
SPRING
I
CURVE 29
STYLE
SPRING
I
CURVE 31
2 C RV
I
SP I
ha brand. th -r sLJr
body
El
idea of AN
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that i • mel oontree.tg and contradiati
- her,
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SP I G
I
CIU
33
IN THE CROSSFIRE
n
Next election will be all
about the women-and
misogyny.
VictoriaA. Brownworth
I
January
2017,
when
the
who vot-
is the Senate's most progressive voter
ed for Hillary Clinton were still in a
and Harris is the Senate's most char-
state of shock and disbelief as Donald
ismatic figure. Both women have been
Trump's Inauguration Day loomed, I
legislative mavericks, writing crucially
65,853,514 Americans
wrote a column asserting that 2020
important laws for women and mi-
would be the Year of the Woman. I
norities. Both are powerful actors in
wrote that after 244 years of male
the Senate. In my political version of
presidents, and a century after the
fantasy football, these two women get
ratification of the 19th Amendment
to be co-president, with Sen. Elizabeth
granting women the right to vote, we
Warren (D-MA), who announced her
would finally elect a woman president.
candidacy in December 2018, as attor-
My choices for president and vice
ney general and Sen. Amy Klobuchar
president were Sen. Kamala Harris
(D-MI) as secretary of state.
(D-CA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-
The only thing standing in the way
NY), in either configuration: Harris/Gil-
of my prediction is a resurgence of the
librand or Gillibrand/Harris. I predicted
misogyny we faced in 2016, which bat-
that one of those women would be our
tered Hillary Clinton, the first woman
Democratic nominee in 2020.
nominee of a major party, at every turn.
In January 2019, both women an-
34 CURVE
I
SPRING
nounced their candidacies. Gillibrand
If social media and the emails I receive
IN THE CROSSFIRE
CJ)
•••
in response to my ongoing coverage of
the left. The right has been so flum-
Hillary Clinton won the popular vote
the 2020 race are any indicator, 2020
moxed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and
by 3 million, but lost the presiden-
will be just as brutal as 2016-if
freshman congresswoman Rep. Al-
cy because of the Electoral College.
exandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NYl 4) that
Also fueling that change has been the
not
more so.
they haven't turned to attack the Dem-
damaging and dangerous policies of
nothing from their errors in 2016,
ocratic women who are running-yet.
Trump himself.
which contributed to putting Trump
Republicans still hope they can push
The midterm elections were declar-
in the White House. When Warren an-
Democrats to vote for a white man
ative. Old Guard, establishment Dem-
The media appear to have learned
nounced, news sites declared that her
even older than Trump, perhaps for-
ocrats from the Biden and Bernie era
time had passed-she should have run
mer vice president Joe Biden, who has
were voted out in the 2018 primaries.
in 2016. When Gillibrand announced,
come in last in two prior Democratic
Elected in their stead were young
her very first questioner asked if she
presidential primaries, in 1988 and
women like Ocasio-Cortez, at 28, the
was "likable:' Both Harris and Gillibrand
2008; or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT),
youngest woman ever elected to Con-
have been deemed "ambitious"-a
who was crushed by Clinton in a land-
gress. AOC,as she is known, beat out
word with a positive connotation when
slide in the 2016 primary.
used about men, but a pejorative when
used about women.
The GOP has been floating these
two men for nominee because they
Rep. Joe Crowley, who had held the
seat for 20 years and was a top Democrat in the House hierarchy.
would be the easiest for Trump to
In Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley
emails calling Harris and Gillibrand
beat. The tenor of the electorate has
(D-MA07) beat out Mike Capuano,who
"corporate whores"-and this is from
changed radically since 2016, when
had repped that district for 20 years. In
I have already received tweets and
SPRING
I
CURVE 35
IN THE CROSSFIRE
>
•
O"l
•
0
~
:::::,
~
~
..
.
.
..
8 •
-~
~
0
•
their editorial endorsing Pressley for
only out bisexual, Kyrsten Sinema, who
or, and LGBTQ people made those de-
the primary, the Boston Globe noted
had served three terms in the House,
mands in 2018 and voted in more wom-
that Capuano had served his constitu-
became the first woman senator from
en, minorities, and queers than ever
ents well over those two decades. The
Arizona, elected to the seat previously
before. It was-it is-a game-changer.
editorial explained that it was a diffi-
held by Republican Jeff Flake in a hotly
cult decision to make, but that Press-
contested Senate race.
ley, now the first black woman elected
From Maine to California, there were
The facts of the American electorate are irrefutable. And while investigations into what we now know to have
to the House from Massachusetts, rep-
113 women elected to Congress in the
been a hijacked election in 2016 are
resented the change that had come to
massive Blue Wave of the midterms.
ongoing, the census data on America
the district and to America.
That stunning number-and the wom-
is its own statement: White men are a
The freshman class of the 116th
en voters who drove it-set the tone for
minority. The nation is over a third non-
Congress, many of them, like AOC and
2020. While some men genuinely wel-
white and more than half female. Five
Pressley, women of color, signal that
come women in positions of political
states-California, Texas, New Mexico,
change. Deb Haaland (D-NM01) and
power, once Kamala Harris became the
Arizona, and Nevada-are majority mi-
Sharice Davids (D-KA03) became the
fourth woman running for president,
nority, as is the District of Columbia.
first Native American women elected
pushback began in earnest.
to the House. Davids is also a lesbian.
It is, quite clearly, our time.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote,
Having several women in the Dem-
Rashida Tlaib (D-Mll 3) and llhan Omar
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by
ocratic primary has changed the nar-
(D-MI05) are the first Muslim women
the oppressor, it must be demanded by
rative. No debate moderator will dare
elected to Congress. And Congress's
the oppressed'.' Women, people of col-
to start up without a female candidate
36 CURVE
I
SPRING
IN THE CROSSFIRE
after a bathroom break, as happened
sexism-has embraced AOC and other
to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 pri-
young women joining the House, seat-
She's laid out proposals on issues
mary. Having all these women in the
ing them on prominent committees.
from voter suppression to healthcare
race has made femaleness normative.
Pelosi was the boogey(wo)man the
to climate change. She's pushed back
It has also revved up the misogyny.
GOP ran against in the midterms, fea-
against every Trump initiative to under-
The threat posed to male authority and
turing photoshopped pictures of her in
mine the rights of women and LGBTQ
power by women seeking political of-
the arms of a multi-tatted MS-13 gang
people. She's put women and people
fice absolutely terrifies some men. In
member.
of color in critical committee positions.
plans for the Democrats are ambitious.
January, there were a few dozen arti-
She bested them and exceeded
The media tone on Pelosi shifted af-
cles about AOC, nit-picking her occa-
even many Democrats' predictions as
ter Trump shut down the government
sional misstatements while focusing
she ushered in the biggest wave of
for over a month, taking on an aura of
on her clothes and lipstick. One con-
new Democrats in 40 years.
respect previously missing. But will
servative even posted a video from her
Pelosi's return as speaker-the third
college days of her dancing, as if that
most powerful position in U.S. govern-
speaker transfer to the women running
somehow invalidated her as a con-
ment-benefits
for president? Unlikely.
women running for
that newfound media respect for the
president. Every day, voters get to see
And then there are those men grous-
a woman in a position of power stand-
ing about the changes being wrought
from the streets of Baltimore and
ing her ground and moving the country
by Pelosi and what some have called
knows a fighter when she sees one-
forward. Pelosi has been formidable
her "gang" of congresswomen.
and who has experienced decades of
against Trump and the GOP,and her
gresswoman.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who comes
In January, a miffed Sen. Bernie
SPRING
I
CURVE 37
IN THE CROSSFIRE
"*
ro
.r=
Sanders declared in an interview in
who look and sound like them. Our
My early assessment that women
GQ that voters were choosing "wom-
desire to be heard is hard to overstate.
would rule the 2020 field stands, and
en, black, Latino, and gay candidates"
The tweets of Harris, Gillibrand, War-
no male candidate has the charisma of
based solely on their identities. Sand-
ren, and Klobuchar reflect the many
Harris or the quiet, measured patience
ers had made a similar assertion in
differences between women centering
of Klobuchar. The two tag-teamed at
2016. In a video resurfacing as the
women and men eliding them-the
the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, cata-
2020 primary begins in earnest, Sand-
tone, the nuance, the audience being
pulting themselves into the national
ers is on a stage speaking to a large au-
spoken to: Women are their main au-
spotlight with their grilling of the Su-
dience and asserting that it was wrong
dience. Recentering the majority is the
preme Court candidate. Kavanaugh
to say, ''I'm a woman! Vote for me!"
first shift in the narrative we have all
was so rattled by Klobuchar's ques-
been raised with.
tioning that he attacked her. She sat
Except no one ever said that, just as
no one is voting for women, black, Lati-
In 2018, the polls favored Biden,
stoic and unruffled while he shouted at
her and later was forced to apologize.
no, or gay candidates solely on their
Bernie, and Warren. But now that the
identities.
women have announced, the polls
There may be as many as 20 Dem-
But what if they did? In the days
have shifted radically. The last week
ocrats running for 2020, which will
leading up to the midterms, the Twitter
of January showed that Kamala Har-
make for tiered and limited debates
hashtag #RepresentationMatters was
ris had moved from sixth place to first,
much like those the Republicans had
filled with women, people of color, and
with Warren in second place, and Gilli-
in 2016. Harris and Warren will be in
LGBTQ people writing out their yearn-
brand in sixth. Biden, Bernie, and Beto
the top tier, but Gillibrand and Klobu-
ing for candidates like themselves,
had all dropped in the polls.
char may not be. Every aspect of these
38 CURVE
I
SPRING
IN THE CROSSFIRE
women's lives will be examined-
Women in politics get portrayed
votes by hand. In 2016, why were there
Harris's childlessness and her late
by the media as either young, hot,
no recounts in those questionable
marriage at 50 may become fodder
and clueless, as AOC has been, or old
states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and
in the run-up to the primary voting. Gil-
nagging hags. How many times did
Wisconsin, where voter suppression
librand's work on sexual assault won
we hear about Hillary's laugh being a
was rampant and Clinton lost by less
her enemies when she said former
cackle? The point is always the same:
than half a percent?
Sen. Al Franken (D-MI) should resign
to dismiss and diminish the very real
after seven women accused him of
accomplishments
of women
On Twitter, Clinton's pinned tweet is
and
a quote from her November 9, 2016,
sexual misconduct. Warren's gaffe in
highlight minor flaws in a wholly gen-
concession speech: "To all the little
trying to prove her Native American
dered way.
girls who are watching this, never
ancestry may come back to haunt her.
Hillary Clinton took the body blows
doubt that you are valuable, powerful,
It's difficult to see how other Dem-
in 2008 and 2016 to get us here. She
and deserving of every chance and op-
ocrats would use such personal at-
should be president now, and it's a
portunity in the world:'
tacks against Harris after the debacle
blight on our nation's history that she
Women are deserving of the repre-
that was 2016. And 32 Democratic
isn't. If Trump had won the popular
sentation we have never had in 244
senators called for Franken's resigna-
vote by 3 million and lost the Elector-
years: a woman president. The only
tion, not just Gillibrand. In a general
al College, Republicans would have
thing standing in our way is the un-
election, Trump would avoid such is-
made sure he was in the White House.
willingness to give women the same
sues, because they open the door to
Democrats fought hard for Al Gore in
chance to run this country that men
his own history.
2000. There were weeks of counting
have had since it was founded.
SPRING
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CULTURETRIP
40 CURVE
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SPRING
CULTURETRIP
out two hours' drive north
Farmhouse
Inn
f San Francisco is Sonoma
When staying in wine country I have
ounty. This parcel of paradise
zero interest in big box or chain hotels.
South of Mendocino, North of Marin
I'm looking for something more lowkey
~
and East of Napa has the distinct priv-
and local. And so it was a delight to
ilege of spanning picturesque coun-
discover Farmhouse Inn, a 4-Diamond
tryside that encompasses redwoods,
luxury boutique on six rural acres in
rivers and rocky coast. When you visit
the heart of Sonoma. Twenty-five
you will be entranced by the county's
picture-perfect,
cottage-like
suites
physical beauty and also by its bounti-
and a Michelin-starred restaurant
ful produce, friendly residents, and mul-
built around an elegant 1870 farm-
tifarious attractions that encompass
house and a very modern swimming
dining, wining and exploring. This is in
pool make this a charming choice of
many ways the best of California: sun,
accommodation. No detail in your
sea, mountains, forests, and people-
room is overlooked, from the wel-
many of them artists and alternative
come cupcakes to the luxurious bath
souls who care about the provenance
crystals to enjoy in your soaking tub!
of things and their place in the world.
The Farmhouse Restaurant presided
My visit coincided with the community
over by Executive Chef Steve Litke
bouncing back from the wildfires and I
and Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth is
learned that people had come togeth-
worth staying in for! And after a fresh
er and made renewal possible through
farm-to-table meal you can gather by
their love of and loyalty to the environ-
the outdoor fire pits for a nightcap and
ment and each other. After my visit I
some smores, and maybe a session in
could see why!
the hot tub. (farmhouseinn.com)
Kendall-Jackson
WineEstate
&Garden
Excursion
toHealdsburg
Kendall-Jackson Wines are well-
Sonoma County has many delight-
known in America, especially their
ful small towns and villages, each
sophisticated varietals which encom-
with unique charm. In the lovely, up-
pass everything from chardonnay to
scale Healdsburg you'll fine numerous
zinfandel. But something you might
boutiques and eateries worth a visit.
not know about the estate: food is also
Journeyman Meat Co. is styled along
a main attraction. Featuring produce
the lines of a modern butcher shop,
from the culinary gardens onsite, the
salumeria and tasting bar that serves
famous "K-J" holds an annual heirloom
up handcrafted cured meats and sea-
tomato festival, and offers seasonal
sonal fare paired with local wines. It's
farm-to-table dinner series with wine
a combination of family tradition, old
pairings. I was delighted to sample a
world knowhow and California's best
superb meal, think beef short rib pas-
produce. This is the perfect place for
ta with spigarello and midnight noon
antipasti or drop in to stock up your
cheese paired with a glass of 2014
larder Gourneymanmeat.com). For a
Jackson Estate Trace Ridge Cabernet
big meal featuring the region's bounty
Sauvignon. See, it's not all about the
head to Valette, a large, stunning open
Chardonnay and Pinot. But it can be if
plan restaurant born from two broth-
you want. (kj.com)
ers' dream of creating a unique dining
SPRING
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I
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CULTURETRIP
experience that could showcase the
stores and boutiques selling antiques,
best produce from the many local
provisions, handmade goods, art, and
farmers. This is the place to take your
gifts reminiscent of a time gone by.
time and eat well with someone you
This former Russian River mill town
love. (valettehealdsburg.com).
is worth a stop for coffee, lunch or to
StopbySebastopol
with a local. (duncanmills.net)
pick up a souvenir and a friendly chat
There are many cool townships in
Sonoma County all with something to
ALesbian
Empire
offer. Sebastapol, which has a lovely
We stayed for a night at the legend-
rural feel, is a place of rustic tranquility
ary lesbian-owned boon hotel+spa
as well as cultural delights. Horse &
(boonhotels.com) in Guerneville, a
Plow produces authentic, handcrafted
modern, 14-room boutique hotel nes-
wines and ciders made from grapes
tled among the old-growth redwoods
from organic vineyards in Northern
of the Russian River Valley. Owned by
California. Everything I tried had such
Crista Luedtke (read more about her
crispness and acidity-simply
deli-
in our Food section) boon is a zen-like
cious on its own or paired with local
woodland retreat that makes a great,
cheeses. Take home a bottle or two as
unpretentious LGBT getaway. Take
a special gift! (horseandplow.com)
advantage of the solar-heated saline
The Barlow is a unique precinct
pool and the collection of vinyl on your
with a serious artisanal vibe. Stroll this
in-room turntable-or the 24-hour hon-
marketplace and peruse handicrafts
or bar. This is the place to relax and
and homewares then have lunch and
kick back with your partner or friends.
a libation. All products are local and
But it doesn't end there. When it
the 'campus' is a great place to relax
comes to dinnertime, head half a mile
and stroll the 12 acres of local cre-
down the road to boon eat + drink, an
ativity, including Zazu Kitchen + Farm,
intimate modern California bistro also
from chef/owner/Next Iron Chef-con-
owned by Luedtke (eatatboon.com).
tender Duskie Estes; Tamarind bou-
Before you tuck in to her sumptuous
tique women's clothing; Taylor Maid
seasonal offerings, grab a cocktail at
Farms coffee roaster; or the delight-
her colorful, queer-ish tequila bar El
ful MacPhail Family Tasting Room
Barrio (elbarriobar.com).
(macphailwine.com) which produces
small-batch Pinot Nair, Chardonnay
OfRivers
andRedwoods
and Rose from the Sonoma Coast,
Sonoma is smack-bang in the mid-
Russian River and Anderson Valley.
dle of nature and this is most obvi-
(thebarlow.net)
ous when you take a free, self-guided
walk in Armstrong Redwoods State
StepBack
innme
Natural Reserve. I felt humbled and
Just four miles from the Sonoma
rejuvenated by the majestic and an-
Coast is a tiny town that looks like it
cient Sequoia sempervirens (one of
came out of another century in the
the gigantic trees is 1400 years old!),
storied history of the West...and that's
commonly known as the coast red-
because it did! Duncan Mills looks like
wood. here is an 800-acre tribute to
an old-timey movie set with its cute
the powers of the natural world, locat-
SPRING
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CULTURETRIP
ed just miles from Guerneville's Main
common areas: the lobby is a great
fee with innovative twists_think local
Street. (sonomacounty.com/articles/
room, there is an outdoor living room,
lavender and honey!
armstrong-redwoods)
and the grounds provide coastal walks
Make sure
ing, family-style, drop in to Belden
not recommend highly enough a re-
you take a complimentary yoga class
Barns, owned by Nate and Lauren
spite at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.
with the wise and down-to-earth Mar-
Belden, a couple who traded corpo-
Osmosis is the only day spa in the U.S.
garet Lindgren from Unbeaten Path
rate city life for my favorite kind of
that offers the Cedar Enzyme Bath-a
Tours. When it comes to mealtimes,
agriculture (beldenbarns.com). Nate
rejuvenating heat treatment from Ja-
all your options are healthy. The new
discovered this potential vineyard on a
pan which uses enzyme-activated
Coast Kitchen serves endless ocean
vacation to Sonoma and transformed
micro-wood chips as a form of heal-
views and organic meals (coastkitch-
it with his wife Lauren and her creative
ing. I swear that my feet, which often
ensonoma.com).
skills. The wines are fantastic, and be
While on the topic of nature, I can-
(timbercoveresort.com).
hold tension, not only relaxed during
But you're bound to want to explore
sure to place a ticket on the Wishing
this treatment; they came out looking
the stunning, winding, rocky Sonoma
Tree. I won't tell you what I wished for,
ten years younger! Osmosis is set in
Coast and when you do, make sure
but my wish came true in this charmed
a lovely, rambling, Japanese-inspired
to stop at River's End Restaurant for
and magical place of good hearts.
property, and is the perfect place to re-
a super-fresh lunch featuring local
oysters and crab. Friendly service, the
of treatments. (osmosis.com)
freshest flavors, and unbeatable pan-
You'll be drinking so it pays to spoil
oramic ocean views from every table.
your group and hire a limousine with
(ilovesunsets.com/restaurant.html)
Pure Luxury Transportation, from San
On our way to the coast road we
If you'd like to explore a quintessen-
Francisco to Sonoma County. True to
stopped at Fort Ross Vineyard & Win-
tial Sonoma Coast town, tarry awhile
their name the service is unparalleled.
ery (fortrossvineyard.com) which is
in Bodega, where Alfred Hitchcock's
Trust me. Just do it. (pureluxury.com)
positioned high on a stunning coastal
movie The Birds was filmed. The Pot-
ridge. Some of the most sophisticated
ter School House and the historic St.
wines I tasted on this trip were here,
Teresa of Avila Church (photographed
the product of owners Lester and
by Ansel Adams) are well worth the
Linda Schwartz's 53-acre vineyard. I
detour for a 'gram. (bodegabirds.com)
don't ordinarily enjoy Chardonnay but
I couldn't say no to any of Fort Ross's
C
::::,
0
E
~
Getting
around
flect and rejuvenate with any number
1reCoast
WithtreMost
u
For a charming last-stop wine tast-
Petaluma
Postscript
varietals! Could it be that the unique
It was on our way back in the gen-
terroir contributed to the wines' mag-
eral direction of the Bay Area that we
ic? I think so.
discovered a jewel of our trip, the love-
The Sonoma Coast is wild and be-
ly township of Petaluma. We stayed
witching and the place to stay to truly
at Hotel Petaluma, a lovely and atmo-
appreciate its beauty is Timber Cove
spheric property with the excellent
Resort, an epic full-service destination
The Shuckery seafood
experience located on a dramatic bluff
right off the lobby, which serves some
restaurant
overlooking the rocky coastline and ex-
of the freshest seafood I sampled on
pansive ocean. Think 'rustic modern'
this trip. Let's just say I was in oyster
but with all the sophistication you'll
heaven for the third time on this trip.
require to embrace California-style lux-
This is a charming "old Sonoma" town
ury. And as if the premium suites with
with cafes, boutiques and lovely spot
unobstructed forest and ocean views
fro breakfast and brunch including the
weren't enough you also have grand
lovely Della Fattoria, which serves cot-
0
(f)
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sonomacounty.com
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CULTURETRIP
W
hen it comes to a getaway
that
is
I love to get on the water as soon as
unique, exotic,
I get to the Keys, and a great way to
hedonistic, relaxing, and
do it is with a Fury Water Adventures
oh-so-gay, you can't beat the Florida
snorkeling tour. This low-key experi-
Keys and in particular, Key West. Drive
ence on calm seas is a lovely way to
there or fly there-either way you'll be a
get out and explore some marine life.
world away from the world's troubles.
The staff is friendly and charismat-
That diverse mix of Victorian, Conch,
ic and the open bar helps you make
and Bahamian culture can't be found
friends, have fun, and not freak out
anywhere else in the world. Charming
should you come face-to-face with a
bed-and-breakfasts, blue ocean, booze
barracuda. (furycat.com)
aplenty (and boats with booze!), this is
After working up an appetite head
one of my favorite places for fun-and
to Salute! On The Beach for a relaxed
romance, too. Because, those sunsets
meal. This beachside cafe serves Ital-
mean that every day is a chance to cel-
ian-Caribbean fusion food using fresh
ebrate the passage of time in the ulti-
vegetables and local seafood. Gaze
mate spectacle of ephemeral natural
at the ocean and fuel up for your next
beauty-with somebody special.
lark. (saluteonthebeach.com)
You've probably heard about the
Explore some of Key West's most
gay guesthouses for men but my pick
historic and charming sights, such
for women is the Gardens Hotel, a
as the Ernest Hemingway Home and
lovely oasis on Angela Street, within
Museum, a grand property in which
easy walking distance of Key West's
this famous author lived for almost 10
infamous golden mile, Duval Street.
years and produced some of his best
Rich in history and architecture, the
work. (hemingwayhome.com)
Gardens Hotel houses 23 guest suites
The other big literary entity who
set amidst a lush tropical garden and
made Key West his home was the
inground pool. A former private estate,
gay playwright Tennessee Williams
the property has meandering grounds
(one of my heroes!) and a tour of the
and lush, tropical landscaping that is
Tennessee Williams Museum takes
always a pleasure to come home to.
you into the life of one of the greatest
(gardenshotel.com)
American playwrights of the last cen-
On my first night in Key West I en-
tury.
joyed a grand gay dinner with my
A visit to Key West would not be
friends at Azur, which is a unique din-
complete without a stroll through the
ing experience enjoyed by visitors and
Butterfly & Nature Conservatory where
locals alike. The restaurant feels like
you are surrounded by hundreds of
an intimate neighborhood secret and
delicate and colorful butterflies, espe-
serves sophisticated
Mediterranean
cially majestic, migratory Monarchs,
plates in a super-friendly, gay-owned
flowering tropical plants and flamin-
environment. (azurkeywest.com)
goes! (keywestbutterfly.com)
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CULTURETRIP
TheStoned
Crab
at La Te Da cabaret. I was thrilled to
Key West's freshest seafood, includ-
see Christopher Peterson, master of
ing the renowned stone crab claws, is
impersonations, perform live (no lip-
found at the Stoned Crab, an open-air
sync!) and perfectly characterize icon-
joint on Ibis Bay that has two private
ic women such as Judy Garland, Liza
fishing boats that deliver daily catches
Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Cher and
of stone crab, lobster, Key West shrimp
others. The standard of performance
and a variety of local fish that end up
here is as good as any big city cabaret
on your plate! I'm a seafood snob and
I have seen. It's sophisticated but re-
I highly recommend getting "stoned"
tains the true old-world Key West style
here, which will happen if you order a
which evokes what it was like to be
couple of rounds of organic cocktails.
gay back in the day. It's a dying art so
(stonedcrab.com)
millennials, grab a table and marvel.
WHERE
THE
GAYS
ARE
Te Da's restaurant next door. Tradition-
Before the show, be sure to dine at La
The Key West Business Guild recently
al food, served poolside if you can get
celebrated 40 years of promoting the
that special table. (lateda.com)
island as an LGBT travel destination.
What's on for lesbians? Well,just as
For more information on that, drop in
summer is ending but before holiday
to the Gay Key West Visitors Center on
season begins is a sweet spot-Labor
Duval Street. (gaykeywestfl.com)
Day Weekend and Womenfest Key
But in all honesty, you're more like-
West! Then the island, which is often
ly to see the gayness after dark in the
considered to be a gay male mecca,
"Pink Triangle"-a
welcomes women from across the
cluster of LGBT
bars, clubs, and rainbow crosswalks
globe to an annual celebration that
located around the 700 block of Du-
has become one of the largest gath-
val Street. Duval is the town's main
erings of lesbians and friends in North
14-block entertainment and shopping
America. Choose from a wide range of
zone. There is so much to choose
activities and events during four days
from, with every establishment being
of fun including standup comedy, live
gay-friendly-and
bands, pool parties, cocktail mixers ...
some places are
more gay than others!
or simply laze by the pool with your
801 Cabaret: Sushi and the 801
favorite person. But be prepared to
Girls Drag Show offers nightly drag,
socialize. There's something about
karaoke three nights a week, and live
sharing an island with likeminded
music on Sunday afternoons in the
women-and
an endless supply of
main bar. The popular emporium is lo-
alcohol-that
means you'll be making
cated in the heart of Old Town on the
new friends, as well as making memo-
corner of Petronia and Duval streets.
ries. (womenfest.com)
At least say hello to the lovely drag
E
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cu
c;::::
queens when you pass by this LGBTQ
landmark. (801bourbon.com)
Also uniquely gay is a night out
50 CURVE
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To planyourtripgoto the FloridaKeys
visitorwebsite:fla-keys.com
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JessSalomon( aboveleft) andEmanElhusseini(right)
shouldbeenemies,butthis marriedJewish-Palestinian
couplemakeeachother-andeveryoneelse-laugh.
Howdidyoumeetandwasit loveat
firstsight?
Jess: We met in Montreal, our hometown, at a comedy club. Eman was already on the comedy scene and I was just
starting. It was not love at first sight. Does
that happen? For us, it took two years,
many drinks, and a male comic suggesting we kiss. Honestly, it even took a while
for Eman to be friends with me.
Eman:She speaks with a low voice and
we're always in loud bars. For two years,
I just nodded at whatever she was whispering.
Jess:The point is, we needed to get to
know each other's personalities, and that
is maybe the most lesbian thing that I've
ever said.
Whendidyoubecome
a couple,
and
whomadethefirstmove?
Eman:We are forever indebted to our
52 CURVE
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friend who bought us shots and encouraged us to kiss for his generosity and
foresight. The kiss was so good, but I
SPEECH
Wf:t>D\NG
THANkiov
ALL
Fol<.. conING ,o
ov~ W£D'DING ...
didn't think it'd be marriage good. I was
AAAND SPECIAL
up for a fling because I thought I was
sHovr ouT To
S'ADDAM HUSSEIN.
straight. Boy,was I wrong-and so happy
1
IF HE HAt>r-JT INVADED
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h
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AMILY
M\GHl
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SAOt>AM ~
I was.
Jess: It took a little while after that first
move for us to become a couple. Eman
thought she was straight, I was in love
with someone else. I remember telling
Eman not to get too attached. Meanwhile,
in her head she was just checking Lesbian Fling off her to-do list. We only actually
came out about our relationship publicly,
in comedy, once we got engaged, which
was four years after that first move. In retrospect, even though I was the one wanting to yell ''THIS WOMAN IS MY GIRLFRIEND"from the rooftops, it allowed us
to develop our own careers for a while
and was 100 percent the right move.
The'El-Salomons'
combines
bothyour
surnames.
Howdidthathappen?
Co/V\£.DIANS
I
Eman: Jess got into Just for Laughs
HA Ve A C,o,...sf
t$510\f"l_
WHAT I~
1
t WAS LAH,
.r
r
HA1) SuMf
cooLC>N 1 r 1-\E:Lf>,r, ,1
last year and they knew I would be a good
IT~
D~II\IKS 1
comedy wife and join her,so they gave us
j~st ... r\Af~{rJtt>,..0
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two shows in Off JFL to do something to-
\1 C. Mi A.Tf.O?
11)\)R
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A Ge.
gether. I thought, But I'm only here to party, why are you making me work?
Jess: We had been putting out our
weekly cartoon but hadn't really shared
the stage together when JFL put the idea
to us ...they bought us a few shots and encouraged us to kiss. That's all it takes!
Eman:It's not easy working with someone you're in a relationship with. Jess
collaborates with a few people, and I can
assure you the way she laughs and jokes
with them ...it's not the same when we
work together.
Jess: I was working on a script with
my friend DeAnne and we were laughing
SPRING
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OUR PROJECT
at the jokes we were coming up with.
brought up Justin Trudeau and this
Eman: I'm opening for my comedy
Eman walked into the room and was
woman yelled, "He takes it up the ass;'
hero and savior Patton Oswalt at the
like, "Oh, okay, I guess it can be like
and I said, "Interesting. So why do you
Beacon Theatre in New York and in
this:' But it is getting easier and more
think taking it up the ass is a sign of
Rhode Island in March. I'll be at the
fun the more we do it. We're finding
weakness?" They are very triggered by
Halifax Comedy Festival in April and
our groove, and I guess I'm trying to
the words "Justin Trudeau" in Alberta.
am planning on recording my second
improve my tone when I give feedback, pretend we're just friends?
album in May.
Whomakesthecartoons?
Eman: It's a challenge, but you
Eman:Jess came up with the idea a
know, we gotta give the people what
year ago after our dear friend and gift-
they want.
theelsalomons.com
ed illustrator, Jesse Brown, made our
wedding invitations and my mother-
Comedy
as a formis beingquestionedbysocial
justicemovements
rightnow.Thoughts
onthat?
Eman:The comedy world has been
in-law thought he made us look thin.
We knew we weren't losing weight
IRL, so we thought a skinny cartoon
version of us would be perfect.
a safe haven for male comics. This
Jess: Eman and I write the car-
is slowly changing now, thank good-
toons and then we send them over
ness! The only comics resisting PC
to Jesse, who lives in London and is
culture are the ones whose comedy
married to my childhood best friend.
relies on being offensive. They should
He adds this other layer of comedy,
You KrJOW Wl-\AT,
spend more time writing than com-
which is so great. The facial expres-
)'OU'~t
plaining. With amazing movements
sions! We're living in such politically
like #blacklivesmatter, #timesup, and
charged times, where so much hatred
#metoo some men have been held
comes from people's fear of what they
accountable for the first time in exis-
don't know. We felt that a cartoon life
tence, which doesn't make them very
could provide a nice counterpoint.
happy. I get it-they got away with lit-
Cartoons are a great way to broach
erally everything for so long it's hard
big topics and dark topics with humor
to adjust.
and sweetness, and that's what this
Jess: So many new spaces have
cartoon aims to do. Because at the
opened up and different voices are
end of the day love is love, and, as ev-
being heard. It's exciting to hear new
eryone knows, gay people will be the
jokes and to hear from people who
ones to save us all.
have historically been the butt of the
joke! The most difficulty I have with
Anybiggigsthisspring?
jokes of mine not being appropri-
Jess: I co-host a monthly show at
ate is with conservative audiences
Union Hall in Brooklyn called The Les-
shutting down before they even hear
bian Agenda every second Tuesday of
the punchline, because the premise
the month. And look out for my debut
doesn't line up with their worldview.
album, All the Best Choices, with 800
In a conservative part of Canada, I
Pound Gorilla Records.
54 CURVE
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0
n the cover of her new album, There Will Be
No Intermission, Amanda Palmer stands
stark naked, wielding a sword. The image
(and for that matter, the title) parallels the the album
itself. Palmer has never really been one to separate
life from art, but Intermissiontakes things to a whole
new level. It's billed as her most personal album to
date-and it's easy to see why. A lot has happened
to Palmer since her last solo effort, 2012's Theater
Is Evil, and much of it-losing a close friend to cancer, having an abortion, being misunderstood by the
media, not to mention bearing witness to the atrocities that all of us have seen under Donald Trumpwasn't pretty. In the press release I was sent with
the album advance, she is quoted as saying, ''This
isn't really the record that I was planning to make.
But loss and death kept happening in real time, and
these songs became my therapeutic arsenal of tools
for making sense of it all:' So Palmer isn't just naked
literally on Intermission but also figuratively. She
bares her soul.
Fans expecting something similar to TheaterIs Evil
will be disappointed. Then again, longtime fans know
that Palmer never makes the same album twice. This
is still an Amanda Palmer disc, of course, and it's a
great one; it's not like she's pulled a Liz Phair and is
now looking for mainstream acceptance and hits on
the charts. But where Theaterwas a band album and
sported a New Wavey rock n' roll sound, Intermission
goes in a completely different direction. With few
exceptions, this album is just Palmer and her piano.
There are only 10 songs on Intermission,yet the album
runs over an hour in length. That is due not only to
the songs themselves-most of which are between
five and 10 minutes long-but to the fact that there
are shorter instrumental interludes between each of
the longer pieces. Intermission was funded entirely
by Patreon and recorded in L.A. with producer John
Congleton.
The 10 proper tracks on Intermission add up to a
song cycle in which nothing feels out of place. The
centerpiece, to these ears, is "A Mother's Confession;' which clocks in at more than 1O minutes,
arrives three-quarters of the way through, and is
basically a diary of Palmer's experiences as a new
mom (her son, Ash, is now 3). It's a stream-of-consciousness piece, alternately frightening, funny, and
poignant. We follow Palmer from place to place as
she grapples with being a new mom and also deals
with the day-to-day challenges all of us face. At the
song's climax, Palmer sings, "I wonderif I shouldhave
hada child."WhenI tell her that wasa pretty ballsything
to write,shereplies,"I reallywannatell the truth. I'm never gonnabe the kind of person who[will] paint a picture
of motherhoodthat's all about balanceand roses and
home-cookedsoup. I'm gonna continue to be rock n'
roll..."
''That song was written when my baby was 4
months old, and I was traveling solo, with a baby on
my back, to visit [some] friends in the States;' she
says. ''There is this really insidious narrative that's
foisted on us as women, that we can be useful as
artists or we can be useful as mothers, but we can't
do both;' she adds. "And even if we intellectually
know that that's not true, the fear is very hard to escape...I [also] think women all over the world are waking up to the power of storytelling. And particularly
the power of shameless storytelling. We have been
Palmer pays more direct homage to another in-
disconnected from one another by the patriarchy for
fluence elsewhere on the album. "Judy Blume" is a
so many years. [So] to see a whole new generation of
song about the woman who wrote groundbreaking
women waking up to the fact that when we unabash-
YA novels like Are You There,God?It's Me Margaret.
edly tell one another the truth, and share our experi-
"I didn't recognize how massive an influence on me
ences, this is the antidote to what has [kept] us down
she was until one day it hit me like a ton of bricks ...lt's
for so long-it's a real revelation. Even for someone
not that she didn't make the cut-she never occurred
[like me] who has been a feminist from Day One;' she
to me! When I went backward and did the math and
says.
thought about her books-and the topics-my
brain
"Even I am waking up to how much fear I have had
just exploded. [But] it was not until I wrote that song
around other women and how competitive I've been.
that I did a little homework and realized how lucky I
Watching #MeToo happen, and watching an open
was as a kid in Massachusetts to take for granted
celebration of women who support one another, has
that her books would be freely available. I had no idea
totally changed the playing field. It's no longer cool
that her work was so heavily censored and burned in
to be fiercely independent and competitive. And that
other states in America .... So that was a 'check your
is, in my opinion, the ticket out of this hell-women
privilege' moment. I was privileged to grow up with
realizing that we have much more power when we
Judy Blume's books:'
help one another and share our stories with one an-
Even though she is married to writer Neil Gaiman,
other than when we try to defeat and compete with
and is now a mom, Palmer is still refreshingly candid
one another:'
about her sexual orientation. "I have slept and hope-
The second proper song and the first single from
fully will continue to sleep with everybody,' she tells
Intermissionis also the only one that could really be
me with a laugh. "In the immortal words of Margaret
considered rock n' roll. "Drowning in the Sound" is an
Cho, I'm not gay or straight or bi; I'm just slutty. I've
excellent tune, but it's a little more abstract and a lot
always identified as bi, but I [prefer to] identify myself
more produced than the other songs. Its theatrical
as wide open. No pun intended:'
arrangement sometimes recalls the genius of Kate
Palmer is planning an extensive tour in support of
Bush. The lyrics are also unusual in that they were in-
Intermission.She will kick things off in mid-March,
spired not only by Palmer's personal experiences but
right after the album is released, and hopes to stay
by pop culture, global issues like climate change-
on the road most of the year. It will be an unusual
and even her fans! 'That song was written as an ex-
tour for her in that it will not feature other musicians.
ercise in fast art;' she explains. "It was a speed test. I
This will just be Palmer and her piano-intimate
and
booked two days in the studio [and told my patrons],
minimal-performing
'I don't have a plan. I'm writing a song tomorrow, re-
you're wondering, there will be an intermission at ev-
cording it the next day. I wanna know what's going
ery show. "I'm really excited to take this album on the
on with you. So hit me with comments: And I cut and
road to parts of this country that are nowhere near
pasted a lot of their comments into the song! I specif-
the coasts;' she says. "I'm really excited to take this
ically put together an 'exquisite corpse' of what was
record to Kansas and Utah and states [like that]. In
going on in my life and in my head, and their com-
the shadow center of Trump, I'm excited to go out on
ments-and tied it all together with metaphor. I also
the road and be more flagrantly political than I've ever
had been listening to Dilateby Ani DiFranco non-stop
been:'
that week:' Not the first time she has cited Ani as an
influence.
amandapalmer.net
mainly in theaters. And in case
COVERSTORY
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COVERSTORY
Rainbow
Rebel
Inside the world ofNats Getty's lifestyle brand, Strike Oil.
Story:MerrynJohnsand RachelPaulson
Photos:StephanieSaias
Hair+ makeup:HilaryMontez
T
•
his past winter, in the Strike
painting process she applies to large-
Oil studio in Culver City, we
scale works. The message is in the
caught up with Nats Getty for
method: Express yourself.
an exclusive preview of her new artis-
When we hung out in New York
tic lifestyle brand, modeled by Nats,
last year, Nats drew our attention to
25, and her fiancee, Gigi Gorgeous.
the baseball jersey she was wearing,
While sipping on LGBT-brandEquality
which bore the mottos "Zero Judg-
Vodka Moscow Mules (Gigi), and a
ment" and "I am. We are. Let's be:'
few beers (Nats), to a soundtrack of
Nats told us she was working on a
Ariana Grande,Justin Bieber,and Blink
number of projects but all of them had
182, Nats explained the motivation be-
in common the idea of giving back.
hind her Strike Oil brand and treated
"For every collection I do there will al-
us to a display of her unique bespoke
ways be at least one piece that is 100
clothing. Taking designer pieces, Nats
percent charity-based;' she says. Re-
repurposes them with print, paint and
cipients have included GLAAD and the
applique, creating one-off signature
Los Angeles LGBT Center. She also
pieces that embody her rebel-with-a-
held a live-painting event and vigil on-
cause spirit.
site after the Orlando Pulse shooting.
To fully emerge us in her rock
The T-shirts and hoodies she's de-
star-meets-street-artist aesthetic, we
signed feature checkered neon rain-
moved outside the studio to the al-
bow prints or have the rainbow flag
ley where Nats showed us the action
embroidered on them as symbols of
SPRING
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CURVE 61
COVERSTORY
LGBTQ solidarity. "What's different
a tattoo of her first girlfriend's name (it
about Strike Oil is, I don't just want to
was removed not long after).
Downtown. I make sure I can make
something that some posh lady on
make something that's cool or swag-
Although Nats failed art in high
the Upper East Side can buY:' For ex-
gy-I want it to do something good;'
school her artistic spirit could not be
ample, Ming Dynasty influenced ce-
she says. "I also want people who are
suppressed, and she went back to
ramic vases with cheeky motifs of pot
wearing Strike Oil to feel like they're
art six years later. Inspiration came
leaves. Her mom will give her a Fendi
part of a gang of people who are
in the form of disappointment: she'd
bag and say "Strike Oil if' And there's
like-minded:'
purchased a designer jacket and felt
more affordable tees, tanks, bandan-
Nats has received the full support
pretty special about her splurge until
as, and hats.
of her mom, Ariadne, and her brother,
she saw someone else wearing the ex-
This lifestyle brand is also a philos-
August, a fashion designer (he is the
act same jacket. She went home and
ophy that fits anyone from skater kids
youngest designer ever to show at
took some White Out and "went crazy
to celebrities. Halsey owns two Strike
New York Fashion Week). "We love
on if' She then expanded on the idea,
Oil jackets and Nats envisages other
each other so much, the three of us.
finding vintage items on eBay and
people like Hayley Kiyoko, Young MA,
We're like a little tripod;' she says. Nats
augmenting them just because she
or Cara Delevingne owning her swag.
came out to her mom when she was
enjoyed it. Now she designs garments
"People who are authentic" she says.
16. After boarding school in England,
in her studio such as satin bomber
"I love people who are shamelessly
themselves. It's not the name or what
they do. It's what they are:'
I
"Ilovepeople
whoare
shamelessly
themselves.
Creativity
isallabout
self-expression."
Fashion is more queer-friendly now,
she says. "I personally think my generation and younger have watched
the fashion industry, and I feel that so
many people got bored of having to
stick to these rigid rules:' Influenced
by artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith
Haring and Basquiat, Nats firmly
believes that "Creativity is all about
self-expression:'
Nats moved back to L.A., cut her hair,
jackets that are reversible and feature
It's heartening to see that a patriar-
dressed as a true tomboy, and started
a Strike Oil logo or custom print. "Any-
chy founded on oil has now evolved
dating a girl. "I was scared to tell my
thing that I would want to wear, I make
into a female and gay expression of art
mom and one day it slipped out and
it;' she says.
and philanthropy. But Nats says the
my mom was like, 'Nats, duh: " After
She makes capsule collections and
impulse to pay it forward was always
all, as a kid of 4 or 5 Nats was out
drops them each month on social me-
there in her family. "My great-grandfa-
climbing trees and riding skateboards.
dia. "When I first started designing it
ther is John Paul Getty, and when he
"My mom completely adored it, and
was always art and activism mixed
was asked the key to success he said,
she encouraged if' She was upset,
together. The aesthetic of Strike Oil is
'Rise early. Work hard. Strike oil: That's
however, that Nats had gone and got
street-wear with a twist, Uptown and
what he lived by and that's what he
62 CURVE
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• • • •
COVERSTORY
did. He was savage in business, but
what he did later in his life with the
Getty Villa and the Getty Museum
and gifting them both to Los Angeles
resonates with me so much, because
he wanted to bring beauty and art and
history into the world and let anyone
and everyone experience if'
Nats'
grandfather was also philanthropic
and her mother is, too. For several
years now Ariadne has worked with
Sarah Kate Ellis to further the cause
of GLAAD."Strike Oil is a tribute to my
family DNA;' says Nats. "That's where
a lot of my feelings of wanting to do
good in the world come from:'
The family has also expanded to
include many of Nats' and August's
queer friends, including Gigi,who Nats
met while they were modeling at one
of August's fashion shows. They later
bonded on a trip to Paris. At the time,
both Gigi and Nats were getting over
bad breakups. Nats was at a low point
and Gigi was dealing with adversity
with her characteristic positivity. "Gigi
makes me laugh;' says Nats. "I didn't
even know that I could laugh that
hard. No matter what's going on she's
able to say 'Let's get into it; and we
have fun. She has had to fight every
• • •
single day of her life to be who she is. I
fell in love with Gigi's magic. We fell in
love with each other's souls. I've never
had someone support me and encourage me as much as she does:'
Gigi wears the Strike Oil label with
pride. "When Nats and I first started
dating, she had beanies, hoodies and
........
~
• • • • • • • • • • •
trucker hats in all different colors
that were not for sale yet, so I started
off wearing those when I was at her
place. Now it's like second nature to
me to be in her brand!
"What I love most about Strike Oil
is that you can dress it up or dress it
down. For instance, we were recently
in Davos for the World Economic Forum and I wore the Coachella Long
Sleeve Button-Up Camp Shirt with
a black Balmain high-waisted skirt.
Nats wears the same top untucked
with either a pair of dress pants to be
more formal, or jeans for a more casual look. No matter how you wear these
pieces, they look gorgeous and they're
so high quality!"
She's fond of the Gigi Gorgeous
Satin Bomber Jacket. "It's reversible,
so I can wear it no matter what mood
I am in. If I'm feeling super girly, I can
rock the hot pink side. If I want to be
more street style, I can rock the print
lining side:'
Somewhat of a muse to Nats, Gigi
is adamant about her partner's creativity. "I love talking her though ideas
whenever she asks for my input or
advice, but ultimately, everything are
Nats' ideas and concepts. She's the
most creative person I know!"
And for those who may criticize
this trans woman-lesbian union, Nats
adopts a Strike Oil stance: "I just take
that hate and turn it into love:'
strikeoil.com
• • • •
COVERSTORY
• • • •
I
"Strike
Oilisatribute
tomyfamily
DNA."
SPRING
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CURVE 65
•
eer1n
il
·ckin n
of ne feature
t Eln ·1y.
POPCORN
woman, and how the mistress of Emily
Dickinson's brother-who
put together
Emily's first books of poetry-created
the myth of the disturbed recluse who
would not see anyone at all and did not
wish to publish:'
Olnek weaves those details into her
film, constantly juxtaposing the story
we've been told with the story that has
quite literally been erased.
The star of Wild Nights with Emily is
the comedian Molly Shannon. If that
casting makes you wary that this is
some extended SaturdayNight Liveslapstick, it is anything but. Olnek attended
NYU with Shannon and was always
eager to work with her. "The brilliant director Robert Altman once said of Molly
Shannon that she was 'some kind of genius' -and the description could not be
more apt. She is truly sui generis. When
you are telling the story of a great mind,
of an American original, I think it is important that the actor playing the part
themselves contains the 'multitudes;
as Whitman might have put it, of the
character. This is the story of one of the
great misunderstood women in history.
committed to her own work as a writer,
Emily baking bread and writing lines of
Not only was she brilliant, but she was
editor, and mother of three. Shannon
a poem in pencil on the back of a recipe
also warm, funny, and full of life. I felt
and Zeigler have tremendous chemistry.
card; to her pretending not to have any
that if Molly Shannon played Emily Dick-
Dickinson wanted to be published,
poems to give to Sue and then pulling a
inson, people would finally understand
but publishers were leery of her singular
sheaf from behind her dress sash, while
style. Gilbert herself declares when she
another poem is twirled up in her hair,
first reads the poetry, "It doesn't rhyme:'
and still another is folded tightly and
who Dickinson was:'
Shannon's portrayal shatters all our
preconceptions about the poet-and
One would-be publisher, Thomas Hig-
placed inside her locket. That last, Sue's
about Shannon herself. Shannon's per-
ginson (Brett Gelman), takes a pencil to
face tells us, is personal.
formance is composed, thoughtful, sur-
one of Emily's poems and notes, about
Wild Nights with Emily explains how
prising, robust, witty, sensual, and above
a signature element of her work, 'These
the women, born just nine days apart
all believable.
dashes-are
In counterpoint to Shannon's Emily
is Susan Zeigler, who plays Sue Gilbert,
and has worked with Olnek in other proj-
they really necessary?"
in 1830, met as teenagers, as they read
Only 11 of Dickinson's poems were pub-
from Shakespeare together. On their
lished during her lifetime.
way home, Emily confesses her love.
There are moments of delightful,
Susan, at first confused, says, "I couldn't
ects. Zeigler's strong performance as
insouciant cleverness in Wild Nights
kiss you as I would a man:' She then
Emily's devoted and loving life partner
with Emily,from the opening sequence,
becomes the arbiter of the women's
portrays a woman who is as dedicated
which immediately debunks the myth
future, marrying Emily's brother so that
to publishing Emily's poetry as she is
of her as a chaste recluse; to scenes of
she and Emily will never be separated,
68
CURVE
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POPCORN
what was actually transpiring in the life
of the poet. Some of these are hilarious,
others unsettling. As Olnek explains, Mabel and Austin had their trysts at Emily's
house, so she stayed in her room when
they were there, creating the impression
that she was a recluse.
WildNightswith Emilyis a film about how
lesbian stories get corrupted and erased.
It's smart, engaging, and deeply moving.
Olnek says, "I hope viewers will take heart
in this story of a great romance and lifelong relationship between two brilliant
women. And stay strong! Life can offer
many unfortunate twists and turns and
hard knocks; but if you keep trying, people
will hear you in the end and history will remember your efforts. And, I hope it will win
some new converts over to enjoy Dickinson's poetry. She is not the creepy, morbid
recluse you thought she was-she had a
good time. And she also made it into the
literary canon!"
WildNightsWithEmilyopensApril2019.
living next door to each other until Emily's
untimely death at 56.
The story of lesbian erasure-of lesbian
lives retold and misrepresented by historians and others through the lens of heteronormativity-is as old as Sappho herself.
But as Olnek reveals in WildNightswith Em-
ily,the relationship between the two women was quite literally rubbed out by Mabel
Todd (Amy Seimetz), the editor of the first
book of Emily Dickinson's poems.
Todd had a long affair with Emily's
brother, Austin (Kevin Seal). She felt the
poems to Sue were too obviously romantic and wanted Sue's name taken off
them. It was she who, while touring with
the book, fed rumors of Emily's spinsterhood as a recluse. Olnek juxtaposes Todd
lecturing about Dickinson with scenes of
SPRING
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CURVE 69
HISTORY
TheArt of
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Beth Suskin (left) and Leslie Cohen (right)
are partners in life-and in LGBT history. Here,
Cohen shares their personal and public story of
"gay liberation:'
70 CURVE
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HISTORY
A lesbian reflects on
the 50th anniversary
of Stonewall.
LeslieCohen
Beth Suskin, my partner (and now wife) of 42
years, and I were the models for Gay Liberation,
the sculpture that now resides in Christopher Park
across from the Stonewall Inn. Since the sculpture's unveiling in 1992, we have stood before it
many times, staring at our doppelganger selves.
We have witnessed drunken men slouched on the
park bench, resting their heads in our laps; children
climbing on us like monkey bars and sitting on
our knees; grown men and women crying openly
before it, overcome with emotion, perhaps remembering the humiliations they'd experienced when
they were taunted, arrested, forced to hide their
true identities. Gay men and lesbians from around
the world have also come to see the sculpture as
a symbol of gay pride and as a confirmation of the
great progress that has been made toward their
visibility and acceptance.
It is astounding to us that our love for each other
is publicly signified and immortalized in this way.
However, neither our love story nor the story of the
sculpture can be told in full without mentioning Sahara, the first New York City-area nightclub owned
by women, for women. Opened by me and my three
female partners in Manhattan in 1976, it was an elegant oasis in a desert of oppression against women, both gay and straight; a place where beautiful
women found their voices and discovered a safe
space to express who they were. Luminaries came
to witness and bask in its welcoming scene, nurturing a generation of women who would become the
luminaries of the future. Beth and I discovered our
love for each other against the backdrop of Sahara;
for us, the two are inextricably woven together.
SPRING
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CURVE 71
HISTORY
Isn't it strange how the most horrific and wonderful events of your life can happen within days
of each other? In early November of 1979, three
weeks before Sahara was forced to close, I received a phone call from an old friend, the artist
David Boyce, who worked at the Sidney Janis Gallery which represented George Segal, the important and influential American artist (1924-2000).
I knew David from my previous career as an art
historian. I hadn't spoken to him in ages. He told
me that Segal was commissioned to create a
sculpture commemorating the 1969 Stonewall
Inn uprising in New York City. The commission
stipulated only that the work "had to be loving and
caring, and show the affection that is the hallmark
of gay people ...and it had to have equal represen-
GLORIA)lEINEN'\
•••• ••
..
tation of men and women:' It would be a gift to the
city of New York.
David called to ask me if I'd be willing to be a
model. He was having a tough time finding people, because anyone who agreed to sit for the
sculpture would be exposing themselves to the
possible consequences of being outed. I had already outed myself in a big way when I left the art
world and opened Sahara, and Beth was so proud
of our love for each other that she adamantly
wanted us to be visible. When I told Beth about
the opportunity to be a part of this historic sculpture, she was ecstatic. Participating in the sculpture is how we'd finally actualize our aspirations
to be visible and help to legitimize same-sex love
to the world. Modeling for the sculpture was not
an issue for us. It was an honor.
Within a few weeks, Beth and I were sitting in
George Segal's studio in South Brunswick, N.J.,
discussing what the sculpture would look like.
As exciting and revolutionary as the idea was, it
would take another 73 years for the sculpture to
finally be installed. The 1970s were a tumultuous
time; in some ways they were just a continuation
of what the 1960s had started. Women, African
Americans, gays and lesbians, all were marginalized people continuing their fight for equality. If
72 CURVE
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SPRING
The owners of Sahara
(fromright):Cohen,Barbara Russo,LindaGoldfarb,and MichelleFlorea
(secondfrom left}
HISTORY
Sahara,the first women-owned
lesbian bar in New York City,
opened in 1976 as a club for
lesbians and their friends, with
celebrities such as Jane Fonda,
Patti Smith, Pat Benatar,Betty
Friedan,GloriaSteinem and others dropping by or performing.
SPRING
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CURVE 73
HISTORY
it seems like just yesterday when those were the
issues of the day,that's because now, 50 years later, we still struggle to gain visibility and equality
Weare "thegrotesquesstereotypesoffensiveto all
for gay and transgender Americans. Back then,
in our community,"referredto in a recent New York
it was the infamous Anita Bryant who was most
Timesarticle. (Part of the audience,seeingthe irony,
stridently opposed to gay and lesbian rights.
eruptedinto loud applause.)Thisis not meant to be
Today, we have Donald Trump and Mike Pence.
an explicit representationof Stonewall.It is much
This fervent conservatism and return to "family
bigger than that-it representsliberation,by openly
values" was foreshadowed nearly 40 years ago
showingour lovefor oneanotherin a visualmedium.
in the controversy surrounding the GayLiberation
Thereis no strongerstatementthan that,in our quest
sculpture. In an article in the New YorkTimeson
for liberation.Thebottom line in our strugglehas al-
August 28, 1980, the various disputes were delin-
waysbeenvisibility I wonder,if this weretwo hetero-
eated; some Greenwich Village residents argued
sexualcouplesinstead of homosexualcoupleswho
that it was not the homosexual subject matter
modeledfor this sculpture,whichcelebratesloveand
that was the issue, it was the location. They just
respect,wouldtherebe sucha brouhaha,suchantag-
didn't want Gay Liberation in Christopher Park.
onism as we'veseenheretonight?Or,instead,would
Others were just brazenly homophobic. Homo-
we all be sitting heretonightcelebratingthe fact that
sexuals complained that the proposed sculpture
the Villagehas now becomethe recipientof a major
was not inclusive enough;that it did not include a
sculptureby GeorgeSegal,a pre-eminentcontempo-
black or a Latin person; that the sculptor was not
rary artist celebratedthroughoutthe world?
gay. The Timesarticle also cited an unnamed gay
activist who was distributing petitions "protesting
that the figures in the sculpture are 'grotesque stereotypes offensive to all in the community'."
The four of us who'd modeled for the sculpture
were exasperated. The senseless arguments for
and against it finally came to a head in September of 1980, at a volatile jam-packed public hearing held by the Parks Committee of Community
Board 2 (which represented Greenwich Village).
In David Boyce's reaction to the brewing battle,
he suggested that we make T-shirts with words
"grotesque stereotypes" emblazoned across the
front, referring of course to the "offensive" quote
in the Times.
Some of the comments made at the hearing,
punctuated by shouted obscenities, were so vitriolic and homophobic that by the time it was my
turn to speak at the lectern I was quite upset. The
four of us stood in front of the crowd of over 200,
wearing our "grotesque stereotypes" T-shirts. I
approached the microphone and addressed the
audience:
74 CURVE
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GayLiberationwas finally unveiled in Christopher
Park, across from the Stonewall Inn, in June 1992.
On June 24, 2016, then-president Barack Obama
officially designated the Stonewall Inn and the area
surrounding it, including the GayLiberationstatue,
as the Stonewall National Monument, making it
the first National Monument in the United States to
be designated as an LGBT historic site. Since then,
GayLiberation,the sculpture, has gained more and
more visibility around the world and has become
an icon and a pilgrimage site that is visited by thousands of people every year.
1ST
PRING
CIU
75
V
EVENTS
New York City hosts WorldPride 2019 for the entire
month of June as part of the 50th anniversary of the
Stonewall uprising.
MerrynJohns
take some comfort in the
fact that in a time of global
fragmentation, WorldPride,
which highlights LGBT causes on an international scale,
is still going strong since its
inaugural 2000 event in Rome.
This year, New York City gets
to host the party, which is fltting since the Big Apple is still
the most popular destination
for LGBT travelers, according to the latest travel survey
from Community & Marketing Insights (CMI). This year
marks the 50th anniversary of
the Stonewall uprising, wide-
I
76 CURVE
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ly regarded as the beginning
the modern gay rights movement. The year 2019 marks
the first time that WorldPride
will be celebrated in the United
States, and the timing couldn't
be better. The world's media
capital will provide a fitting
backdrop for this year's Pride
events: Not only are we celebrating our LGBT identity but
we're joining together to defy
all the attempts to roll back
our rights, even as right-wing
administrations gain prominence around the globe, including here in the U.S.
NT
SP I G
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CIU
77
EVENTS
I I Over 4 million
people will de-
ronment. Join community activists,
our lives-including
those
lost-
in its most
scend upon New York City for
organizers, politicians, and more
and our community
the largest LGBTQIA+ gather-
and take a stand against oppres-
visible form.
ing in our history;' said Chris Fred-
sion. We're here, we're queer, for an-
erick, NYC Pride's managing direc-
other 50 years!
CLOSING
CEREMONY,
JUNE
30
PRIDE
ISLAND,
JUNE
28-30
at one of the most iconic tourist
An incredible month will climax
tor. So here's a little taste of what
WorldPride has in store for you, in
destinations
in the world-Times
addition to millions of people cel-
Imagine your very own queer cul-
ebrating millions of moments of
tural oasis in New York City. Pride ls-
Square-featuring
a performance
land is a multiday LGBTQIA+experi-
by everyone's favorite out lesbian
ence on Hudson River Park's Pier 97,
rocker, Grammy
Award-winning
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CONFERENCE,
JUNE
in the heart of the "gayborhood" of
singer-songwriter
Melissa
24-25
Hell's Kitchen. Dance with your girl,
idge. The star-studded evening will
hang out with pals, and immerse
provide a full slate of high profile
yourself in queer music talent.
speakers and global musical tal-
pride-together:
NYC Pride's Human Rights Conference is a two-day gathering of
ents who represent the best of the
activists, artists, educators, media,
policymakers, students, and others
Ether-
PRIDEFEST,
JUNE
30
LGBTQIA+community.
engaged in global LGBTQIA+rights.
This vibrant street fair combines
Loved by the mainstream for
Be part of this diverse discourse on
diverse exhibitors, entertainers, and
her passionate lyrics and distinc-
human rights, with performances,
activities for a day of fun and cele-
tive rocker vocals, Etheridge broke
presentations, and discussion of
bration in the name of equality. Feel
through to megastardom in 1993 af-
the policies that will shape our lives
like a real New Yorker as you hang
ter coming out ahead of the release
for years to come.
out with thousands of local resi-
of her album Yes I Am. Ever since,
OPENING
CEREMONY,
JUNE
26
dents and families. Stroll the streets,
she has remained one of America's
sample food, people watch, and pur-
favorite female singer-songwriters
NYC Pride's WorldPride 2019
chase artisanal souvenirs from the
combining her musical talent with
opening ceremony will kick off
folks who support our community
outspoken activism. Last October
a slate of unforgettable events.
on every level from grassroots to
she released Memphis Rock & Soul
Expect emotion, excitement, and
corporate.
to critical acclaim.
NYC
PRIDE
MARCH,
JUNE
30
feature a "passing of the torch"
some exceptional talent.
STONEWALL
50 COMMEMORATION,
JUNE
28
The closing ceremony will also
The first NYC Pride March was
to the city that will host the next
held in 1970, the year following
WorldPride. "We look forward to
NYC Pride will commemorate the
Stonewall, and it has since be-
closing out Pride in celebration and
historic Stonewall uprising by tak-
come an annual civil rights demon-
in commemoration of our ingenious
ing the Rally back into the streets!
stration as well as an expression
history and our invaluable collected
Even though 50 years have passed
of LGBTQ pride. Now the largest
experiences as a community;' said
since one night changed the course
and longest LGBTQIA+ march of
Chris Frederick.
of LGBThistory, our rights are being
its kind in the world, this year it
eroded by the current political envi-
will be the ultimate celebration of
78 CURVE
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worldpride.org
NT
SP I G
I
CIU
7
EVENTS
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80 CURVE
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EVENTS
WHERE
TOSTAY
The AC Hotel New York Times
views over DKNY or the New York
chia pudding-is served. On the same
Square is perfectly situated to get
Timesheadquarters! You really feel as
block as the AC Hotel are other quint-
you to all your WorldPride activities
though Gotham City is at your feet.
essential NYC options, everything
and to anywhere in the city itself. Lo-
After checking in, I went straight
from Dean & Deluca to pizza. And to
cated at 260 West 40th St., it's within
to the rooftop lounge and took in the
work off those slices, you can hit the
walking distance of Times Square to
iconic Manhattan skyline views at
state-of-the-art gym below the lobby.
the west and Bryant Park to the east.
Castell Rooftop Lounge, a lovely bar
Orjust hit the pavement. You are with-
Transportation to anywhere is just a
that serves light bites, small share
in easy walking distance of Broadway,
block away at the Port Authority Ter-
plates, and classic cocktails. Sit in-
Restaurant Row, and the WorldPride
minal. The hotel itself is a contem-
side or grab a table on the terrace. It's
parade route. And, love it or hate it,
porary glass-fronted tower with chic,
a great spot to unwind and plan your
Times Square is arguably the world's
spacious rooms in what is essentially
Big Apple adventure.
most visited tourist attraction. The
an urban oasis. Suites feature mini-
For a great meal without leaving
following must-see sites are all less
malist monochrome interiors with all
the property, book a table at Boqueria
than a mile from your door. the Empire
the conveniences and amenities you
for authentic modern Barcelona-style
State Building, Madison Square Gar-
would expect from a Marriott.
tapas.
den, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefel-
If you book a King guest room with
Lunch and dinner feature
tapas, paella, and seasonal specials,
ler Center,Central Park, Grand Central
City View you'll be treated to floor-to-
paired with
hand-selected wines,
Terminal, the High Line, Fifth Avenue
ceiling glass windows that are slightly
cocktails, and Sangrfa. This is also
shopping, and MOMA-just to name
raked, evoking that classic New York
where the signature AC breakfast-in-
a few!
City penthouse feel. Depending on
cluding croissants, charcuterie, fruit,
your location, your room might have
cheeses, egg tarts, and house-made
marriott.com
SPRING
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CURVE 81
EVENTS
PRIDE
HEADS
UPSTATE
role in these social justice movements.
Prideonthe Beach,June21-23
Long Island, birthplace of Harvey Milk,
will kick off New York's Pride celebrations
with Pride on the Beach, a three-day destination weekend of 30+ LGBTQ events,
including concerts, parties, and the second annual Pet Pride Parade in collaboration with Animal Planet. A great way to
unwind and cool down by the ocean.
Prideonthe Vines,June25
Visitors to Long Island can head straight
from the beach to the vineyard for Pride
on the Vines. This daylong event in the
North Fork's picturesque wine country
will include tours, tastings, receptions,
and parties. I mean, wine not?
BishopGeneRobinson,
July2
(/)
OJ
C
"'
Bishop Gene Robinson, the Episcopal
0...
C
C
Church's first openly gay bishop, will lead
u:::
:;::z
a discussion about the building of Amer-
OJ
>
.3
ica's LGBTQ community through major
events including Stonewall, the AIDS
Fifty years ago this summer, a group
your visit and explore New York State and
crisis, and marriage equality. The discus-
of individuals at New York City's Stone-
take advantage of the lush summer envi-
sion, paired with a reception hosted by
wall Inn-including
ronment in scenic regions including Long
Chautauqua's LGBTQcommunity organi-
lesbians and trans-
gender folks!-stood
up to decades of
Island, the Hudson Valley, the Catskills,
zation, will be part of a weeklong program
discrimination in one night. The Stone-
the Adirondaks, 1000 Islands, the Finger
examining "Uncommon Ground: Commu-
wall Inn and the park right across the
Lakes, Niagara and more.
nities Working Toward Solutions:'
"SingOut,NewYork!",
May28-June2 and
June6-g
Prideat the Falls,July5
to LGBTQ rights. But New York State
street from it have become the country's first national monument dedicated
Celebrate World Pride and Stonewall 50 at
has always been a leader in advancing
The five-day American Music Festival,
one of the world's most famous natural
equal rights, with a proud legacy that in-
May 28 to June 2 in the township of Troy,
wonders: Niagara Falls, America's oldest
cludes abolition, women's rights, LGBTQ
will feature renowned composers and ad-
state park. Pride at the Falls features a
equality, and, most recently, the NYC
vocates for LGBTQ rights. A regional tour
free concert by the Buffalo Philharmon-
gender-neutral birth certificates
law.
of free outdoor concerts, June 6 to 9, will
ic, fireworks, and the Falls lit in rainbow
While millions of people are expected to
highlight the Stonewall uprising, World-
colors.
visit New York City for this momentous
Pride 2019, and the women's suffrage
occasion, we recommend you extend
movement, showcasing New York State's
82 CURVE
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iloveny.com/WorldPride
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LIVING
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Spring201g » volume2g number 1
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, Jennifer McDowell, Rachel Paulson, Dave Steinfeld
Editorial Assistant Liv Steigrad
PROOFING
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ART/PRODUCTION
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Cover Image by
Stephanie Saias
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Liv Steigrad
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Melanie Barker, Victoria A. Brownworth, Christie Hardwicke, Anita Dolce Vita, Alex Eugene,
Dave Steinfeld, Lisa Tedesco
CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Grace Chu, Jill Greenberg, Sheryl Kay, Syd London, B. Proud,
Amanda Ramon, Stephanie Saias, Rachael Zimmerman
CONTACT
Curve Magazine
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4 CURVE
SPRING
Whether you come to KeyWest seelc:infcalm, clear aters
and stunnir,z sunsets;,the world' freshest seafood, or our
scene,we e been an island of opa,-mnded
"'1br;antcult.J.Jr:al
1hinkin;;:for more than a century.
tla-~s.oomJE,ayl...-.eywest]05.294. 4603
Content
Women We Love: Daya
The Grammy-nominated,
out musical
prodigy is bringing it for the girls and
headling The Dinah.
Food: Crista Luedtke
An out Sonoma chef has transformed a
sleepy town on the edge of the redwoods
into a culinary mecca.
Style: Emily Meyer
Smart and stylish suits for Spring by an
out lesbian designer from the San Francisco Bay Area.
6 CURVE
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Event: WorldPride 2019
The Big Apple hosts the world's biggest
LGBT party this June and we've booked
History: Gay Liberation
a suite at the AC Hotel Times Square to
celebrate.
Beth Suskin and Leslie Cohen modeled
for a monument that became part of the
Cover: Nats Getty
first LGBT landmark in America.
The out 'rainbow rebel' has launched her
lifestyle label Strike Oil, combining art
with activism.
SPRING
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CURVE 7
OUR TEAM
Contributors
AnitaDolce
Vita
Style
Dave
Steinfeld
Music
Leslie
Cohen
History
AnitaDolceVita
Anita Dolce Vita is a queer femme, queer fashion and travel writer whose work has been
featured in HBO, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, at the Brooklyn Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, the International Center of Photography, South by Southwest, and
more. Anita is also the owner of dapperQ, a digital queer style magazine and fashion show
production company. This issue, Anita previews Spring suits.
DaveSteinfeld
Dave Steinfeld grew up in Connecticut and is now based in New York City. He has been a
professional journalist since 1999 and has arguably written about queer women in music
more than any male journalist in America. Dave's first piece for Curve was on The Cliks, and
since then he has written about Patti Smith, Neneh Cherry, Ani DiFranco, Ann Wilson and
the Indigo Girls. For this issue, he spoke with Amanda Palmer who called him "an honorary
lesbian."
LeslieCohen
In 1979 Leslie Cohen was asked by the famous artist George Segal to model for "Gay Liberation;' the life-size sculpture of two same-sex couples that commemorates the Stonewall
Rebellion in New York City. She agreed with one recommendation: that she be represented
next to her then partner and now wife Beth Suskin. "If you want to capture something special;' she said, "you should capture me and Bethie. I'm mad for this woman!' Leslie shares
her story in what is the 50th anniversary of Stonewall.
8 CURVE
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WELCOME
Editorial
Strike
Oil,
withits
colorful
designs,
helps
builda platform
for
LGBTQ
individuals
0
ne of the most direct ways to be authentic is to demand visibility,and one of the most immediateways
to achievethat is through personalstyle. Fashionis
an increasinglyimportant form of expressionfor queer wom-
en. Recently,Nats Getty,a high-profileartist and LGBTQrights
activist-and the out-and-proudheir to the Getty fortune-
Editorin Chief
Merryn Johns
launched her own label,Strike Oil. When I met Nats in New
York she told me the motto of the label was Rise Early,Work
Hard,Strike Oil. It's a sayingfrom the man who built the Getty
empire,but Nats has repurposedit as a mantra for what she
refersto as "the differents"-those of us who nevertruly fit in.
Resourcefulnessis, no doubt, a road to reward,but for Nats,
and for so many of us, our sense of personaladvancementis
tied to the broader LGBTQcommunity. Strike Oil,with its colorful, street-inspireddesigns,channels Nat's rebelliousnessto
help build a platform for LGBTQindividualsand to send a messageto us to wear our identities proudly.So this spring,I hope
you go out there and "strikeoil" in whateveraspect of your life
needsit the most..
merryn@curvemag.com
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WOMEN WE LOVE
The Grammy Award-winning pop sensation is headlining The Dinah.
It's been a meteoric rise for Daya since her 2016 double-plat-
created and turn it into unity through our music and art, while
inum single "Hide Away',' a Grammy Award, a gold-certified
also speaking for the voices of the minorities who do not have
album, a national tour, and a second album on its way. Lucky
a platform of their own to be heard on. I hope to continue to
for us that the 21-year-old out musical prodigy is headlining
grow and educate and be educated in that way and use my
the world's biggest party for queer women-The
voice to heal and continue fighting for what's right.
Dinah.
Onwriting
songswithanempowering
message
for
women
Oncoming
outasbisexual
lastyear
I've always been fairly ambiguous and explorative with my
Female empowerment is something I've always felt import-
sexuality, but it wasn't until this past year that I got to cement
ant to touch on with my art, especially after entering this in-
those feelings into a relationship. I had a hard time dating and
dustry and experiencing its injustice in the flesh. I think "Hide
seeing people while I was on tour for the first few years of my
Away" and "Sit Still Look Pretty" were great songs, definitive
career, with the distance and everything, so it wasn't until I
of me in the period of time they were written in, but I'd like to
settled in L.A. that I really got the chance to explore my sexu-
think I'm still growing and expanding on those ideas. I'd still
ality. I met my girlfriend at my label and we kept in touch for
like to see more women as CEOsof companies, more women
a few months, then randomly met up one night and basically
in STEM, and better pay for women across the board. I'd also
have spent all l 0 months since then side by side. When I told
just the ones work-
my family about it, I think they were more surprised that I was
ing for themselves, but also the ones staying home, raising a
dating anyone rather than that she's a girl. I did face obstacles
family, embracing their bodies, wearing makeup, not wearing
with a few people in my life, but the culture in L.A. and my
makeup, etc. I just want girls to feel empowered to do things
friends out here really helped me stay confident in my sexu-
for themselves-whatever that means-and not because they
ality. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing, open
feel the need to impress a guy or fit into a certain mold.
minds and a community so accepting and universally loving.
Onbeinginvited
totheWhiteHouse
byBarack
Obama
Onwhatshe'sexpecting
fromTheDinah
like to empower all types of women-not
I'm honored to have had the chance to meet a president whose
I actually first heard of Dinah Shore from my band last year-I
political and social ideologies line up so closely with mine. Mi-
think my guitarist's girlfriend was there at the time when we
chelle Obama is also one of my idols, and I've been lucky to
were on tour. Once I realized it's just a massive gay-girl party
meet her and work with her several times. As for the current
I freaked out. It feels so common for gay guys to have these
administration, I don't think it solely takes a difference in pol-
types of outlets, but is much rarer for girls, so for this to hap-
itics to disagree. I think being a human being with empathy
pen, and in Palm Springs in the middle of festival season,
is enough. He has chosen to speak and think solely from the
is a dream. I'm excited to be there and celebrate with my
straight, white, wealthy male perspective, because it's clear
LGBTQsisters and get fucking wild. I wanna make this show
that's all he is privileged enough to know. I don't think there
a unique experience, especially to give back to the communi-
would ever be a world where he would respect my existence
ty that's helped so much in guiding me through my sexuality
as a queer girl, so I'm not entirely sure how to respect his. But,
over the past year. Gonna be a really exciting moment-get
I do think it's a very important time for awareness and activ-
your tix now, ladies!
ism, and I think we've made a lot of exciting strides in the past
few years. I believe it's on us as artists to take the division he's
thedinah.com
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TRENDS I TOYS
Reclaiming
OurPleasure
Women are disrupting the adult market, one toy at a time.
A
s a designer of award-winning sex toys
for Crave, a female-led, San Francisco-based brand, I'm excited to be part
of the enormous cultural shift in the way we talk
about our sexual health and pleasure. We've
seen tremendous mainstream demand for and
acceptance of the products we and other modern brands create to enhance our sexual experiences and open up the conversation about what
we desire. But there are also some real "WTF"
moments where we need to see real change.
TheGood:
• Seedy "adult" bookstores and porn shops are
either closing down or upgrading. Shelves of
poorly made novelties in ugly "sexy" packaging
are losing ground to chic modern products that
embrace contemporary design and technology.
TiChang
Increasingly, high-end and mainstream retailers like Bergdorf Goodman and Urban Outfitters proudly display Crave products right next
to their other beautiful accessories.
• This previously stigmatized space is now
filled with new entrepreneurs, designers, and
engineers who didn't start out in the adult industry, but have backgrounds in Fortune 500
companies. And guess what? The market is
very interested.
• We love seeing our products come out of the
closet-or bedside drawer. From celebrities like
Janet Jackson accepting a Global Icon award
at the MTV Awards, to everyday folks going
around town, we see women wearing our Vesper vibrator necklace proudly, as a statement
both of fashion and of feminism.
12 CURVE
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LoraDicarloproduct
TRENDS I TOYS
• When we toured the U.S. last year in our Crave
Even without a double standard, why is
Pleasure Factory, a converted Airstream trailer
sexual health and pleasure still considered
where we hosted Build-A-Vibeworkshops, we
offensive in the 21st century marketplace
saw firsthand how losing the stigma around
of ideas? We don't see this in the larg-
sex toys can help people own their desire and
er community, where our products have
pleasure, spark conversations with their part-
been met with acceptance and delight.
ners and friends, and make sexual well-being
People are eager to have healthier and
an accepted part of their health and happiness.
more open-minded conversations about
sexuality, and they're frustrated that they
TheHuh:
• With this influx of new companies and prod-
can't find products that support these
conversations
in the places-like
ucts, you'll hear a fair share of sensational
and Facebook-where
claims to be "the first product that..:' and "the
find them.
CES
they'd expect to
only vibrator with ..:' Many products will be
For 2019, my hope is that we can help
quick to implement newer Internet of Things
move the conversation forward both in
technologies and then under-deliver on the ex-
the tech world and in everyday interac-
perience. Imagine having your partner point-
tions, paving the way to create and market
ing a remote control directly at your crotch to
new technologies that enhance people's
make sure the signal is received! Makes you
lives with sexual pleasure, well-being, and
feel real sexy, right?
happiness.
TheReally
Frustrating
WTF
Moments:
• You'd think that the tech community-normally a proud early adopter on all thingswould be eager to embrace innovative products like ours, right? You'd be surprised. The
noted Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
recently revoked an Innovation Award from
the woman-run sex toy startup Lora Dicarlo,
one of a number of companies that is driving
innovation in this space, on the grounds that
the product was "immoral, obscene, indecent,
profane"-which was, unfortunately, not a surprise to us, because Crave had been denied
entry to CES a few years earlier on the same
grounds.
• Companies like ours can't advertise or promote posts on Facebook, regardless of the
content. And we see a clear double standard
here: Products that support male sexual
well-being are generally allowed, while products that support women's pleasure are not.
Viagra and other erectile dysfunction products? No problem. Vibrators? No way.
SPRING
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TRENDS I CANDLES
LightUpYourLife
gothic-inspired black holders. "Naming the candles took some debating, but ultimately came
very naturally. Nineties witches in pop culture
A married couple designs affordable
luxury candles for every season.
(e.g. Willow!) really influenced us as teens, and
continue to now, so every time we light a Coven
Candle, we feel really connected to our roots;'
says Jocelyn.
But if your tastes run a little lighter, try the
Flower Power Candle Set-the ultimate springtime bundle of three floral scents. From bright
peonies to luscious jasmine with hints of vanilla and berries, these candles, when burned
together, transport you to the garden party of
your dreams.
And it's a clean burn: Every part of a handpoured, soy wax Bijou candle is meticulously
sourced to give you the best that $29 can buy.
AlainaandJocelyn
J
ocelyn Drew, 33, and Alaina Young Drew,
32, discovered they had a candle-hoarding problem after they married in New
Hampshire and moved in together in New York
City. Their luxury candles were too expensive to
burn so they invented Bijou, scented candles affordable enough to use every day. Jocelyn is the
nose behind complex, seductive scents; Alaina
designs the product, packaging, and branding.
"We spent a year and a half developing the
fragrances for the Starlet Collection;' says Jocelyn. "We had begun referring to them as 'her'
and 'she; like, 'OMG, she smells like a cozy day
in bed!' and they really started to have these
personalities for us. We've always been very inspired by women in pop culture, and aesthetically our candles have a very Old Hollywood glamour to them, so it was a no-brainer to name them
after classic actresses."
"As queer women we often found ourselves
looking to these iconic characters for comfort
and strength;' says Alaina.
The latest line is based on very different inspiration. The Candle Coven Trio borrows its aesthetic from the l 990s-earthy, herbal scents in
14 CURVE
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bijoucandles.com
1000
ent'~n e d
426
co
AUID.
e
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
16 CURVE
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FOOD
I REVOLUTION
Restaurants
andRedwoods
Crista Luedtke is the visionary behind a food empire in an idyllic Sonoma town.
MerrynJohns
rista Luedtke gets things done. The energetic chef-owner at
C
Guerneville's boon eat + drink is also the proprietor of El Barrio, a Mexican cocktail lounge next door on Main Street, and
the proprietor of boon hotel + spa, a much-loved, low-key LGBTQresort
nestled on the edge of an ancient redwood grove. She also owns the
"lumberjack chic" Big Bottom Market, a rustic general store and cafe
selling locally sourced provisions and wine. And you might have seen
her as Triple Grand Champion and judge on the Food Network's Guy's
GroceryGames.
Luedtke is not a trained chef, but she comes from a family of cooks
and restaurant owners. Born in Wisconsin and raised in Arizona, Luedtke settled in San Francisco after identifying as gay-that
is, until
SPRING
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CURVE 17
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
a melting pot of people. There are many
she left the Bay Area's corporate world to
that decimated the region were par-
pursue her dream of running her own con-
ticularly shocking and impacted the
longtime locals and multigenerational
sortium of hospitable establishments in
whole community. But Luedtke has
families here, mixed with the newcom-
Guerneville, a lumber town on Sonoma's
learned a lot during those disasters-
ers who have given up the fast-paced
Russian River. Drawing on the experience
about herself, the people around her,
city life, and then there are the hospitality
she gained helping friends who cater large
and the environment. 'Through the re-
and vineyard workers;' reveals Luedtke.
events in San Francisco, she developed
cent fires and past floods, I definitely
"It makes for a fun and funky mix. The
her own cooking style, featuring simple,
learned how resilient our community
summers are so amazing and that is the
elevated food with clean, fresh, bold fla-
is and how tight-knit we are. Everyone
time when San Francisco is cold, so this
has come together to build an even
becomes an easy escape from the city
"I want to surprise you with simple
stronger community and the support,
and a haven of warmth, fun, and frolicking
tricks that take something from good to
not only for one another but for their
on the river'.'
great;' says Luedtke, who is passionate
businesses, is inspiring. Another thing
In the last few years, in some ways
about growing her own vegetables and
I learned is to do more planning ahead,
thanks to Luedtke's investment in the
herbs, and travels widely to explore other
because it's not if these things will
town, Guerneville has become a year-
vors-and plenty of vegetables.
cultures so she can seed their influences
happen again, it's when.So it's been a
round versus just a seasonal destination.
into her own ventures. Some of what ends
good lesson in how to prepare'.'
She has been instrumental in helping to
up on your plate at boon eat + drink was
And Guerneville has the sort of
brand the town's appeal as a complete
grown in the garden of her hotel, and the
working-class and gay resilience that
experience, encompassing great wine,
bold and colorful El Barrio was inspired by
means it will always bounce back.
food, the redwoods, and the river, so that
a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. She describes
"Guerneville has been a gay destina-
there's something for everyone. But the
her cuisine as "seasonally-driven sexy
tion for decades. It was actually in the
transformation of this sleepy hamlet has
comfort food. I definitely have a Mediter-
1980s and '90s that many gay men
not come without its accusations of gen-
ranean bent, as our climate is so similar,'
came to die up here during the AIDS
trification from lowkey locals, and Luedt-
she says.
crisis. There is such a rich history of
ke has struggled to handle that criticism.
But Northern California is not without
this area if you dig into it, but I think
"It's hard at times because I'm working
its challenges. The Russian River has a
it's such a great destination because
so hard to create great businesses, both
history of flooding, and the recent wildfires
it's so open and accepting and, frankly,
for the locals and for tourists. Restau-
0
~
::,
0...
~
w
~
18 CURVE
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FOOD
I REVOLUTION
rants and hospitality is a really tough in-
lifestyle where home and work were in
dustry. We do it because we love it. I've
the same place, she could spend more
highly recommend you make the de-
created a lot of jobs for people and I have
time with Boon. But this gift came at a
tour if you're in the Bay Area-I was lucky
helped turn this town around. But there
price: Luedtke lost her marriage due to
enough to snag a table at the 36-seat
are some people who don't like change.
the challenges of getting a resort and a
boon eat + drink, and to sample Luedtke's
Good news is, there are many more who
restaurant up and running while being
seasonal California comfort food, which
love it, and it's clearly been a good thing
open to even more ventures. And as if
pairs perfectly with local wines. The menu
for the community. I really just try to do my
running all these establishments isn't
has something for everyone, especially
thing, do it well, work hard, and be kind to
enough, Luedtke pitched the networks
healthy eaters. The freshly-caught salm-
people:'
a food and travel show called Lost in
on was seared to perfection, and the
Taste,which is based on the concept
vegan bowl was brimming with as much
dering, is named after her beloved rescue
of exploring places through plates.
energy as Luedtke herself. But if you can't
dog, Boon, which means "gift:' He was a
You can watch it now on ReachTV.
make it to Guerneville to experience the
Luedtke's brand, in case you were won-
On my recent visit to Guerneville-and
prime motivator in her decision to leave
com, and it will also be launching on
pleasures of "boon-town;' make one of Lu-
her corporate job-if
the Spirits Network early this year.
edtke's delicious dishes, recipe overpage.
she could create a
SPRING
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FOOD
I R~VOu
10 C RV
ON
I
SP I
FOOD
I REVOLUTION
FOR THE YOGURT:
MAIN INGREDIENTS:
If possible let the yogurt drain out overnight by hanging
it in strainer lined with cheese cloth over a bowl. This will
0
Heirloom baby carrots
make for an even thicker and luxurious texture to your
O
Cilantro leaves
yogurt. It's worth it. Salt the yogurt with 1 1/2 tsp salt
0
Moroccan sauce (see recipe below)
0
Toasted seeds (see below)
0
Greek yogurt
0
Smoking gun/chips
so it has a nice flavor. Place yogurt in a stainless steel
mixing bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Tuck hose of
smoking gun under the plastic wrap and light the smoking gun. Once smoke has filled the bowl, turn off gun and
let sit for about 10min, repeat the smoking process one
more time leaving the bowl covered again for additional
10 min. This should infuse a nice smokey flavor.
TomaketheMoroccan
saucecombine
thefallowing
ina blender:
FOR THE TOASTED SEEDS:
I like to use a mix of black and white sesame, pumpkin
and sunflower seeds. Toast seeds in dry saute pan over
•
medium heat until golden. In a food processor or spice
0
2 dry guajillo chilies toasted
(deseeded)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
grinder, gently pulse seeds a time or two to get them a bit
broken up. If you do not have a processor simply put into
1 tbsp yellow curry powder
a re-sealable bag and smash with a meat tenderizer. In a
1 tbsp smoked paprika
bowl season with a bit of kosher salt and a touch of olive
1 tbsp toasted cumin seeds
oil so the salt sticks.
1 tbsp toasted coriander seeds
1 tsp cayenne
FOR THE CARROTS:
Clean heirloom baby carrots (peel if needed) leaving 3/4
1/4c packed brown sugar
inch of the green stem on the ends. Blanch carrots start-
1 tbsp honey
ing in cold water with a generous amount of salt, bring to
0
2 tbsp whole grain mustard
a boil. Drain off some of the hot water, mix in cold water
0
5 ½ tbsp of cider vinegar
to begin to stop the carryover cooking. Add ice to fully
0
¾ tbsp salt ( more to taste)
0
scant cup of olive oil
(stream into blender)
cool. Remove from water.
TO FINISH:
In a large skillet or cast iron pan, take blanched carrots
and sear over medium heat with a bit of olive oil to get
some color. Add a few tablespoons of the Moroccan
sauce to coat all carrots. Using a large spoon, spread a
generous amount of your smoked yogurt on the serving
platter. Arrange carrots on the platter on top of yogurt
sauce, garnish with toasted seeds and cilantro leaves.
Serve immediately.
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PRODUCTS I BEAUTY
Spring
Skin
Say goodbye to the aging effects of winter
with these cruelty free, fair trade products.
A
ge defying beauty products don't have to feel
like a judgment of where we are in life. They can
actually embrace and make the most of the natu-
ral process of aging. Alaffia, the 15-year-old natural beauty
social enterprise, has developed the Age Defying Collection
and it's on our Spring cleaning list. Proudly fair trade, cruelty free and alcohol-free, the collection is formulated to
promote healthy skin and protect it from harmful environmental aggressors. Think of it as a natural-ingredient skin
polisher and protectant. Alaffia's mission goes beyond
skincare to community care. The Washington State and
West-African organization has been on a mission to reduce
poverty and increase gender equality, leading empowerment initiatives that have improved 80,000 lives. Through
social enterprise, ingredients are ethically sourced from
Alaffia's women's cooperatives in West Africa via Fair for
Life standards. Some of these incredible ingredients feature in the Age Defying products including okra, mangosteen fruit and jasmine stem cells. (alaffia.com)
10i=1t1
.i\L-A
AGEDEFYING
~J~,~
4L-t1V'~
AGEDEFYING
~~!~
• Age DefyingSerum(l oz,
• Age DefyingMask (3.4 oz, $18):
$32.50): Can be used in the
morning or as a nighttime serum
to revive, firm and deeply hydrate
skin, while providing continued
protection against environmental effects.
Easy on/easy off face mask
helps purify and detoxify skin
to reveal a smooth, born-again
complexion while supporting
elasticity, firmness and overall
radiance.
22 CURVE
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SPRING
• AgeDefyingFaceScrub(3.4 oz,
$18): Exfoliates, resurfaces and
refines the face by sloughing off
dead skin cells and removing
impurities, along with minimizing the appearance of uneven
skin tone.
• Age DefyingBodyScrub(7.5
oz, $19.50): Supports positive
aging from head to toe with a
formula that regenerates the
skin while deeply cleansing all
over to reveal a healthy and
balanced skin.
SHOPPING
Marketplace
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_
SPRING
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CURVE 23
DRINK
I WINE
TheGrape
Escape
24 CURVE
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SPRING
DRINK
Discover one of California's best-kept wine secrets.
MelanieBarker
W
hich small winemaking region
is so diverse in viticulture that it
produces a seemingly vast selec-
tion of wines, from Albarino to Zinfandel? It's
located halfway between San Francisco and Los
Angeles along California's famed Central Coast.
Still guessing? It's Paso Robles, a wine-lover's
paradise boasting more than 200 wineries and
40,000 acres of vineyards.
The reason for this bounty is a trio of factors:
unique microclimates, 30 distinct soil types,
and 46 grape varieties. Combined, these factors contribute to a cornucopia of wine made by
family-owned vineyards. Many of these estates
produce small batches (less than 5,000 cases)
which means that if you're drinking wine from
Paso Robles, you're drinking something special.
The region's remarkably varied terrain-from
riv-
ers to rolling hills-means that there are 11 separate viticultural areas within Paso Robles, with
distinct differences in each sub-region's rainfall,
temperatures, topography and soil. The dramatic
swing in temperatures during the day and overnight, and the close proximity to the ocean just
six miles away means that vines yield vibrant fruit
with bold and dynamic flavor profiles.
If you're wondering where to start when sampling Paso Robles wines, consider the area's heritage grape, Zinfandel, first planted in the 1880s,
then work your way back to an Albarino. But there
is also Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet
Franc as Bordeaux varietals are the most planted
in Paso Robles. And there are more Rhone grapes
such as Syrah, Viognier and Roussanne here than
anywhere else in California. Not bad for the New
World!
pasowine.com
SPRING
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26
C RV
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DRINK
TASTING
NOTES
LoneMadrone
Bailey
RanchZinf
andel2015
A very special wine with only 246 cases produced from vines in the rugged limestone hills.
Aged in oak, this is smooth, medium-bodied
choice to pair with roasted meats.
CLESl
Clesi
WinesSangiovese
2015
This is a delicious medium-bodied wine that
perfectly accompanies pasta and pizza. Lots of
juicy red fruits and a touch of spice make this
LoneMadrone
ClesiSangiovese
easy-drinking and food-friendly.
McPrice
Myers
WinesGrenache
Seldela
2015
Terre
This Rhone style wine has bursts of cherry
and tart cranberry but finishes with a mineral,
savory note and a hint of smoke. "Salt of the
earth" indeed!
NinerWineEstates
Reserve
Cabernet
Franc2014
This velvety wine is bursting with blackberry
and dark cherry notes with a finish of mature
tannins. You'll want to grill a juicy steak with
this.
McPriceMyersGrenache
NinerCabernetFranc
BarrEstateWineryAlbarino
2016
Made with grapes that parallel those from the
Condado do Tea sub-region of Rfas Baixas,
Spain, this bright, zesty wine pairs with seafood
and cheeses.
SummerWood
WineryAltaColina
2016
Vineyard
Marsanne
Made by a Japanese winemaker, this lovely medium-bodied white has aromas of lemon curd
and orange blossoms, opening up into a harmo-
1111/
~ ...
B.~
BarrAlbarino
ny of peaches, pears, and pineapples.
Summerwood
Marsanne
SPRING
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CURVE 27
I WINE
STYLE
I I I'm 100 percent out, so please shout it from
the rooftops! I identify as a lesbian;' says
Emily Meyer, a Bay Area native and the owner of EM, a bespoke suiting line by women, for
women. As queer style goes mainstream, and
thus gets co-opted by designers who do not
identify as LGBTQ but see queer aesthetics as
a source of profit, it is refreshing to see lesbian
labels that are thriving and that fundamentally
understand some of the specific shopping experiences of our communities.
In fact, Meyer's own experience is what inspired the launch of EM. Meyer states, "I worked
at a firm that was fairly formal, and I saw almost
all of the male partners getting their clothes
custom-made for them. I was so jealous, and
in need, that I engaged a few of their tailors to
EmilyMeyer
make some clothing for me. It was a total failure. The fit, the quality, the service, the experi-
_S~ring
Suits
You
ence-it was all way off.
"Several years later, when I was getting married, I knew what I wanted to wear but couldn't
find anyone to make it for me. I had a distinct
vision of wearing a beautiful ivory dinner jacket,
and I just couldn't find one anywhere! I ended
up getting a jacket made for me, and it was gorgeous, but it was insanely expensive, and the
brand was shutting down its women's line.
"After law school, I failed the California Bar
Bespoke suits by women, for women.
Exam, and that was the unfortunate-or
not-
push that I needed to found EM, rather than pursue a career in law. It was really born, as many
AnitaDolceVita
businesses are, in pursuit of solving a problem
for myself!"
Though EM is rooted in Meyer's personal
experience, the label transcends sexual orientation. Increasingly, women in general are in
demand of quality tailored suiting that does
not take a backseat to traditional
menswear.
EM designs and creates fully bespoke suiting
SPRING
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CURVE 29
STYLE
SPRING
I
CURVE 31
2 C RV
I
SP I
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body
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SP I G
I
CIU
33
IN THE CROSSFIRE
n
Next election will be all
about the women-and
misogyny.
VictoriaA. Brownworth
I
January
2017,
when
the
who vot-
is the Senate's most progressive voter
ed for Hillary Clinton were still in a
and Harris is the Senate's most char-
state of shock and disbelief as Donald
ismatic figure. Both women have been
Trump's Inauguration Day loomed, I
legislative mavericks, writing crucially
65,853,514 Americans
wrote a column asserting that 2020
important laws for women and mi-
would be the Year of the Woman. I
norities. Both are powerful actors in
wrote that after 244 years of male
the Senate. In my political version of
presidents, and a century after the
fantasy football, these two women get
ratification of the 19th Amendment
to be co-president, with Sen. Elizabeth
granting women the right to vote, we
Warren (D-MA), who announced her
would finally elect a woman president.
candidacy in December 2018, as attor-
My choices for president and vice
ney general and Sen. Amy Klobuchar
president were Sen. Kamala Harris
(D-MI) as secretary of state.
(D-CA) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-
The only thing standing in the way
NY), in either configuration: Harris/Gil-
of my prediction is a resurgence of the
librand or Gillibrand/Harris. I predicted
misogyny we faced in 2016, which bat-
that one of those women would be our
tered Hillary Clinton, the first woman
Democratic nominee in 2020.
nominee of a major party, at every turn.
In January 2019, both women an-
34 CURVE
I
SPRING
nounced their candidacies. Gillibrand
If social media and the emails I receive
IN THE CROSSFIRE
CJ)
•••
in response to my ongoing coverage of
the left. The right has been so flum-
Hillary Clinton won the popular vote
the 2020 race are any indicator, 2020
moxed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and
by 3 million, but lost the presiden-
will be just as brutal as 2016-if
freshman congresswoman Rep. Al-
cy because of the Electoral College.
exandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NYl 4) that
Also fueling that change has been the
not
more so.
they haven't turned to attack the Dem-
damaging and dangerous policies of
nothing from their errors in 2016,
ocratic women who are running-yet.
Trump himself.
which contributed to putting Trump
Republicans still hope they can push
The midterm elections were declar-
in the White House. When Warren an-
Democrats to vote for a white man
ative. Old Guard, establishment Dem-
The media appear to have learned
nounced, news sites declared that her
even older than Trump, perhaps for-
ocrats from the Biden and Bernie era
time had passed-she should have run
mer vice president Joe Biden, who has
were voted out in the 2018 primaries.
in 2016. When Gillibrand announced,
come in last in two prior Democratic
Elected in their stead were young
her very first questioner asked if she
presidential primaries, in 1988 and
women like Ocasio-Cortez, at 28, the
was "likable:' Both Harris and Gillibrand
2008; or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT),
youngest woman ever elected to Con-
have been deemed "ambitious"-a
who was crushed by Clinton in a land-
gress. AOC,as she is known, beat out
word with a positive connotation when
slide in the 2016 primary.
used about men, but a pejorative when
used about women.
The GOP has been floating these
two men for nominee because they
Rep. Joe Crowley, who had held the
seat for 20 years and was a top Democrat in the House hierarchy.
would be the easiest for Trump to
In Massachusetts, Ayanna Pressley
emails calling Harris and Gillibrand
beat. The tenor of the electorate has
(D-MA07) beat out Mike Capuano,who
"corporate whores"-and this is from
changed radically since 2016, when
had repped that district for 20 years. In
I have already received tweets and
SPRING
I
CURVE 35
IN THE CROSSFIRE
>
•
O"l
•
0
~
:::::,
~
~
..
.
.
..
8 •
-~
~
0
•
their editorial endorsing Pressley for
only out bisexual, Kyrsten Sinema, who
or, and LGBTQ people made those de-
the primary, the Boston Globe noted
had served three terms in the House,
mands in 2018 and voted in more wom-
that Capuano had served his constitu-
became the first woman senator from
en, minorities, and queers than ever
ents well over those two decades. The
Arizona, elected to the seat previously
before. It was-it is-a game-changer.
editorial explained that it was a diffi-
held by Republican Jeff Flake in a hotly
cult decision to make, but that Press-
contested Senate race.
ley, now the first black woman elected
From Maine to California, there were
The facts of the American electorate are irrefutable. And while investigations into what we now know to have
to the House from Massachusetts, rep-
113 women elected to Congress in the
been a hijacked election in 2016 are
resented the change that had come to
massive Blue Wave of the midterms.
ongoing, the census data on America
the district and to America.
That stunning number-and the wom-
is its own statement: White men are a
The freshman class of the 116th
en voters who drove it-set the tone for
minority. The nation is over a third non-
Congress, many of them, like AOC and
2020. While some men genuinely wel-
white and more than half female. Five
Pressley, women of color, signal that
come women in positions of political
states-California, Texas, New Mexico,
change. Deb Haaland (D-NM01) and
power, once Kamala Harris became the
Arizona, and Nevada-are majority mi-
Sharice Davids (D-KA03) became the
fourth woman running for president,
nority, as is the District of Columbia.
first Native American women elected
pushback began in earnest.
to the House. Davids is also a lesbian.
It is, quite clearly, our time.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote,
Having several women in the Dem-
Rashida Tlaib (D-Mll 3) and llhan Omar
"Freedom is never voluntarily given by
ocratic primary has changed the nar-
(D-MI05) are the first Muslim women
the oppressor, it must be demanded by
rative. No debate moderator will dare
elected to Congress. And Congress's
the oppressed'.' Women, people of col-
to start up without a female candidate
36 CURVE
I
SPRING
IN THE CROSSFIRE
after a bathroom break, as happened
sexism-has embraced AOC and other
to Hillary Clinton during the 2016 pri-
young women joining the House, seat-
She's laid out proposals on issues
mary. Having all these women in the
ing them on prominent committees.
from voter suppression to healthcare
race has made femaleness normative.
Pelosi was the boogey(wo)man the
to climate change. She's pushed back
It has also revved up the misogyny.
GOP ran against in the midterms, fea-
against every Trump initiative to under-
The threat posed to male authority and
turing photoshopped pictures of her in
mine the rights of women and LGBTQ
power by women seeking political of-
the arms of a multi-tatted MS-13 gang
people. She's put women and people
fice absolutely terrifies some men. In
member.
of color in critical committee positions.
plans for the Democrats are ambitious.
January, there were a few dozen arti-
She bested them and exceeded
The media tone on Pelosi shifted af-
cles about AOC, nit-picking her occa-
even many Democrats' predictions as
ter Trump shut down the government
sional misstatements while focusing
she ushered in the biggest wave of
for over a month, taking on an aura of
on her clothes and lipstick. One con-
new Democrats in 40 years.
respect previously missing. But will
servative even posted a video from her
Pelosi's return as speaker-the third
college days of her dancing, as if that
most powerful position in U.S. govern-
speaker transfer to the women running
somehow invalidated her as a con-
ment-benefits
for president? Unlikely.
women running for
that newfound media respect for the
president. Every day, voters get to see
And then there are those men grous-
a woman in a position of power stand-
ing about the changes being wrought
from the streets of Baltimore and
ing her ground and moving the country
by Pelosi and what some have called
knows a fighter when she sees one-
forward. Pelosi has been formidable
her "gang" of congresswomen.
and who has experienced decades of
against Trump and the GOP,and her
gresswoman.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who comes
In January, a miffed Sen. Bernie
SPRING
I
CURVE 37
IN THE CROSSFIRE
"*
ro
.r=
Sanders declared in an interview in
who look and sound like them. Our
My early assessment that women
GQ that voters were choosing "wom-
desire to be heard is hard to overstate.
would rule the 2020 field stands, and
en, black, Latino, and gay candidates"
The tweets of Harris, Gillibrand, War-
no male candidate has the charisma of
based solely on their identities. Sand-
ren, and Klobuchar reflect the many
Harris or the quiet, measured patience
ers had made a similar assertion in
differences between women centering
of Klobuchar. The two tag-teamed at
2016. In a video resurfacing as the
women and men eliding them-the
the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, cata-
2020 primary begins in earnest, Sand-
tone, the nuance, the audience being
pulting themselves into the national
ers is on a stage speaking to a large au-
spoken to: Women are their main au-
spotlight with their grilling of the Su-
dience and asserting that it was wrong
dience. Recentering the majority is the
preme Court candidate. Kavanaugh
to say, ''I'm a woman! Vote for me!"
first shift in the narrative we have all
was so rattled by Klobuchar's ques-
been raised with.
tioning that he attacked her. She sat
Except no one ever said that, just as
no one is voting for women, black, Lati-
In 2018, the polls favored Biden,
stoic and unruffled while he shouted at
her and later was forced to apologize.
no, or gay candidates solely on their
Bernie, and Warren. But now that the
identities.
women have announced, the polls
There may be as many as 20 Dem-
But what if they did? In the days
have shifted radically. The last week
ocrats running for 2020, which will
leading up to the midterms, the Twitter
of January showed that Kamala Har-
make for tiered and limited debates
hashtag #RepresentationMatters was
ris had moved from sixth place to first,
much like those the Republicans had
filled with women, people of color, and
with Warren in second place, and Gilli-
in 2016. Harris and Warren will be in
LGBTQ people writing out their yearn-
brand in sixth. Biden, Bernie, and Beto
the top tier, but Gillibrand and Klobu-
ing for candidates like themselves,
had all dropped in the polls.
char may not be. Every aspect of these
38 CURVE
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IN THE CROSSFIRE
women's lives will be examined-
Women in politics get portrayed
votes by hand. In 2016, why were there
Harris's childlessness and her late
by the media as either young, hot,
no recounts in those questionable
marriage at 50 may become fodder
and clueless, as AOC has been, or old
states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, and
in the run-up to the primary voting. Gil-
nagging hags. How many times did
Wisconsin, where voter suppression
librand's work on sexual assault won
we hear about Hillary's laugh being a
was rampant and Clinton lost by less
her enemies when she said former
cackle? The point is always the same:
than half a percent?
Sen. Al Franken (D-MI) should resign
to dismiss and diminish the very real
after seven women accused him of
accomplishments
of women
On Twitter, Clinton's pinned tweet is
and
a quote from her November 9, 2016,
sexual misconduct. Warren's gaffe in
highlight minor flaws in a wholly gen-
concession speech: "To all the little
trying to prove her Native American
dered way.
girls who are watching this, never
ancestry may come back to haunt her.
Hillary Clinton took the body blows
doubt that you are valuable, powerful,
It's difficult to see how other Dem-
in 2008 and 2016 to get us here. She
and deserving of every chance and op-
ocrats would use such personal at-
should be president now, and it's a
portunity in the world:'
tacks against Harris after the debacle
blight on our nation's history that she
Women are deserving of the repre-
that was 2016. And 32 Democratic
isn't. If Trump had won the popular
sentation we have never had in 244
senators called for Franken's resigna-
vote by 3 million and lost the Elector-
years: a woman president. The only
tion, not just Gillibrand. In a general
al College, Republicans would have
thing standing in our way is the un-
election, Trump would avoid such is-
made sure he was in the White House.
willingness to give women the same
sues, because they open the door to
Democrats fought hard for Al Gore in
chance to run this country that men
his own history.
2000. There were weeks of counting
have had since it was founded.
SPRING
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CULTURETRIP
40 CURVE
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CULTURETRIP
out two hours' drive north
Farmhouse
Inn
f San Francisco is Sonoma
When staying in wine country I have
ounty. This parcel of paradise
zero interest in big box or chain hotels.
South of Mendocino, North of Marin
I'm looking for something more lowkey
~
and East of Napa has the distinct priv-
and local. And so it was a delight to
ilege of spanning picturesque coun-
discover Farmhouse Inn, a 4-Diamond
tryside that encompasses redwoods,
luxury boutique on six rural acres in
rivers and rocky coast. When you visit
the heart of Sonoma. Twenty-five
you will be entranced by the county's
picture-perfect,
cottage-like
suites
physical beauty and also by its bounti-
and a Michelin-starred restaurant
ful produce, friendly residents, and mul-
built around an elegant 1870 farm-
tifarious attractions that encompass
house and a very modern swimming
dining, wining and exploring. This is in
pool make this a charming choice of
many ways the best of California: sun,
accommodation. No detail in your
sea, mountains, forests, and people-
room is overlooked, from the wel-
many of them artists and alternative
come cupcakes to the luxurious bath
souls who care about the provenance
crystals to enjoy in your soaking tub!
of things and their place in the world.
The Farmhouse Restaurant presided
My visit coincided with the community
over by Executive Chef Steve Litke
bouncing back from the wildfires and I
and Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth is
learned that people had come togeth-
worth staying in for! And after a fresh
er and made renewal possible through
farm-to-table meal you can gather by
their love of and loyalty to the environ-
the outdoor fire pits for a nightcap and
ment and each other. After my visit I
some smores, and maybe a session in
could see why!
the hot tub. (farmhouseinn.com)
Kendall-Jackson
WineEstate
&Garden
Excursion
toHealdsburg
Kendall-Jackson Wines are well-
Sonoma County has many delight-
known in America, especially their
ful small towns and villages, each
sophisticated varietals which encom-
with unique charm. In the lovely, up-
pass everything from chardonnay to
scale Healdsburg you'll fine numerous
zinfandel. But something you might
boutiques and eateries worth a visit.
not know about the estate: food is also
Journeyman Meat Co. is styled along
a main attraction. Featuring produce
the lines of a modern butcher shop,
from the culinary gardens onsite, the
salumeria and tasting bar that serves
famous "K-J" holds an annual heirloom
up handcrafted cured meats and sea-
tomato festival, and offers seasonal
sonal fare paired with local wines. It's
farm-to-table dinner series with wine
a combination of family tradition, old
pairings. I was delighted to sample a
world knowhow and California's best
superb meal, think beef short rib pas-
produce. This is the perfect place for
ta with spigarello and midnight noon
antipasti or drop in to stock up your
cheese paired with a glass of 2014
larder Gourneymanmeat.com). For a
Jackson Estate Trace Ridge Cabernet
big meal featuring the region's bounty
Sauvignon. See, it's not all about the
head to Valette, a large, stunning open
Chardonnay and Pinot. But it can be if
plan restaurant born from two broth-
you want. (kj.com)
ers' dream of creating a unique dining
SPRING
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CULTURETRIP
experience that could showcase the
stores and boutiques selling antiques,
best produce from the many local
provisions, handmade goods, art, and
farmers. This is the place to take your
gifts reminiscent of a time gone by.
time and eat well with someone you
This former Russian River mill town
love. (valettehealdsburg.com).
is worth a stop for coffee, lunch or to
StopbySebastopol
with a local. (duncanmills.net)
pick up a souvenir and a friendly chat
There are many cool townships in
Sonoma County all with something to
ALesbian
Empire
offer. Sebastapol, which has a lovely
We stayed for a night at the legend-
rural feel, is a place of rustic tranquility
ary lesbian-owned boon hotel+spa
as well as cultural delights. Horse &
(boonhotels.com) in Guerneville, a
Plow produces authentic, handcrafted
modern, 14-room boutique hotel nes-
wines and ciders made from grapes
tled among the old-growth redwoods
from organic vineyards in Northern
of the Russian River Valley. Owned by
California. Everything I tried had such
Crista Luedtke (read more about her
crispness and acidity-simply
deli-
in our Food section) boon is a zen-like
cious on its own or paired with local
woodland retreat that makes a great,
cheeses. Take home a bottle or two as
unpretentious LGBT getaway. Take
a special gift! (horseandplow.com)
advantage of the solar-heated saline
The Barlow is a unique precinct
pool and the collection of vinyl on your
with a serious artisanal vibe. Stroll this
in-room turntable-or the 24-hour hon-
marketplace and peruse handicrafts
or bar. This is the place to relax and
and homewares then have lunch and
kick back with your partner or friends.
a libation. All products are local and
But it doesn't end there. When it
the 'campus' is a great place to relax
comes to dinnertime, head half a mile
and stroll the 12 acres of local cre-
down the road to boon eat + drink, an
ativity, including Zazu Kitchen + Farm,
intimate modern California bistro also
from chef/owner/Next Iron Chef-con-
owned by Luedtke (eatatboon.com).
tender Duskie Estes; Tamarind bou-
Before you tuck in to her sumptuous
tique women's clothing; Taylor Maid
seasonal offerings, grab a cocktail at
Farms coffee roaster; or the delight-
her colorful, queer-ish tequila bar El
ful MacPhail Family Tasting Room
Barrio (elbarriobar.com).
(macphailwine.com) which produces
small-batch Pinot Nair, Chardonnay
OfRivers
andRedwoods
and Rose from the Sonoma Coast,
Sonoma is smack-bang in the mid-
Russian River and Anderson Valley.
dle of nature and this is most obvi-
(thebarlow.net)
ous when you take a free, self-guided
walk in Armstrong Redwoods State
StepBack
innme
Natural Reserve. I felt humbled and
Just four miles from the Sonoma
rejuvenated by the majestic and an-
Coast is a tiny town that looks like it
cient Sequoia sempervirens (one of
came out of another century in the
the gigantic trees is 1400 years old!),
storied history of the West...and that's
commonly known as the coast red-
because it did! Duncan Mills looks like
wood. here is an 800-acre tribute to
an old-timey movie set with its cute
the powers of the natural world, locat-
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ed just miles from Guerneville's Main
common areas: the lobby is a great
fee with innovative twists_think local
Street. (sonomacounty.com/articles/
room, there is an outdoor living room,
lavender and honey!
armstrong-redwoods)
and the grounds provide coastal walks
Make sure
ing, family-style, drop in to Belden
not recommend highly enough a re-
you take a complimentary yoga class
Barns, owned by Nate and Lauren
spite at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary.
with the wise and down-to-earth Mar-
Belden, a couple who traded corpo-
Osmosis is the only day spa in the U.S.
garet Lindgren from Unbeaten Path
rate city life for my favorite kind of
that offers the Cedar Enzyme Bath-a
Tours. When it comes to mealtimes,
agriculture (beldenbarns.com). Nate
rejuvenating heat treatment from Ja-
all your options are healthy. The new
discovered this potential vineyard on a
pan which uses enzyme-activated
Coast Kitchen serves endless ocean
vacation to Sonoma and transformed
micro-wood chips as a form of heal-
views and organic meals (coastkitch-
it with his wife Lauren and her creative
ing. I swear that my feet, which often
ensonoma.com).
skills. The wines are fantastic, and be
While on the topic of nature, I can-
(timbercoveresort.com).
hold tension, not only relaxed during
But you're bound to want to explore
sure to place a ticket on the Wishing
this treatment; they came out looking
the stunning, winding, rocky Sonoma
Tree. I won't tell you what I wished for,
ten years younger! Osmosis is set in
Coast and when you do, make sure
but my wish came true in this charmed
a lovely, rambling, Japanese-inspired
to stop at River's End Restaurant for
and magical place of good hearts.
property, and is the perfect place to re-
a super-fresh lunch featuring local
oysters and crab. Friendly service, the
of treatments. (osmosis.com)
freshest flavors, and unbeatable pan-
You'll be drinking so it pays to spoil
oramic ocean views from every table.
your group and hire a limousine with
(ilovesunsets.com/restaurant.html)
Pure Luxury Transportation, from San
On our way to the coast road we
If you'd like to explore a quintessen-
Francisco to Sonoma County. True to
stopped at Fort Ross Vineyard & Win-
tial Sonoma Coast town, tarry awhile
their name the service is unparalleled.
ery (fortrossvineyard.com) which is
in Bodega, where Alfred Hitchcock's
Trust me. Just do it. (pureluxury.com)
positioned high on a stunning coastal
movie The Birds was filmed. The Pot-
ridge. Some of the most sophisticated
ter School House and the historic St.
wines I tasted on this trip were here,
Teresa of Avila Church (photographed
the product of owners Lester and
by Ansel Adams) are well worth the
Linda Schwartz's 53-acre vineyard. I
detour for a 'gram. (bodegabirds.com)
don't ordinarily enjoy Chardonnay but
I couldn't say no to any of Fort Ross's
C
::::,
0
E
~
Getting
around
flect and rejuvenate with any number
1reCoast
WithtreMost
u
For a charming last-stop wine tast-
Petaluma
Postscript
varietals! Could it be that the unique
It was on our way back in the gen-
terroir contributed to the wines' mag-
eral direction of the Bay Area that we
ic? I think so.
discovered a jewel of our trip, the love-
The Sonoma Coast is wild and be-
ly township of Petaluma. We stayed
witching and the place to stay to truly
at Hotel Petaluma, a lovely and atmo-
appreciate its beauty is Timber Cove
spheric property with the excellent
Resort, an epic full-service destination
The Shuckery seafood
experience located on a dramatic bluff
right off the lobby, which serves some
restaurant
overlooking the rocky coastline and ex-
of the freshest seafood I sampled on
pansive ocean. Think 'rustic modern'
this trip. Let's just say I was in oyster
but with all the sophistication you'll
heaven for the third time on this trip.
require to embrace California-style lux-
This is a charming "old Sonoma" town
ury. And as if the premium suites with
with cafes, boutiques and lovely spot
unobstructed forest and ocean views
fro breakfast and brunch including the
weren't enough you also have grand
lovely Della Fattoria, which serves cot-
0
(f)
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sonomacounty.com
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W
hen it comes to a getaway
that
is
I love to get on the water as soon as
unique, exotic,
I get to the Keys, and a great way to
hedonistic, relaxing, and
do it is with a Fury Water Adventures
oh-so-gay, you can't beat the Florida
snorkeling tour. This low-key experi-
Keys and in particular, Key West. Drive
ence on calm seas is a lovely way to
there or fly there-either way you'll be a
get out and explore some marine life.
world away from the world's troubles.
The staff is friendly and charismat-
That diverse mix of Victorian, Conch,
ic and the open bar helps you make
and Bahamian culture can't be found
friends, have fun, and not freak out
anywhere else in the world. Charming
should you come face-to-face with a
bed-and-breakfasts, blue ocean, booze
barracuda. (furycat.com)
aplenty (and boats with booze!), this is
After working up an appetite head
one of my favorite places for fun-and
to Salute! On The Beach for a relaxed
romance, too. Because, those sunsets
meal. This beachside cafe serves Ital-
mean that every day is a chance to cel-
ian-Caribbean fusion food using fresh
ebrate the passage of time in the ulti-
vegetables and local seafood. Gaze
mate spectacle of ephemeral natural
at the ocean and fuel up for your next
beauty-with somebody special.
lark. (saluteonthebeach.com)
You've probably heard about the
Explore some of Key West's most
gay guesthouses for men but my pick
historic and charming sights, such
for women is the Gardens Hotel, a
as the Ernest Hemingway Home and
lovely oasis on Angela Street, within
Museum, a grand property in which
easy walking distance of Key West's
this famous author lived for almost 10
infamous golden mile, Duval Street.
years and produced some of his best
Rich in history and architecture, the
work. (hemingwayhome.com)
Gardens Hotel houses 23 guest suites
The other big literary entity who
set amidst a lush tropical garden and
made Key West his home was the
inground pool. A former private estate,
gay playwright Tennessee Williams
the property has meandering grounds
(one of my heroes!) and a tour of the
and lush, tropical landscaping that is
Tennessee Williams Museum takes
always a pleasure to come home to.
you into the life of one of the greatest
(gardenshotel.com)
American playwrights of the last cen-
On my first night in Key West I en-
tury.
joyed a grand gay dinner with my
A visit to Key West would not be
friends at Azur, which is a unique din-
complete without a stroll through the
ing experience enjoyed by visitors and
Butterfly & Nature Conservatory where
locals alike. The restaurant feels like
you are surrounded by hundreds of
an intimate neighborhood secret and
delicate and colorful butterflies, espe-
serves sophisticated
Mediterranean
cially majestic, migratory Monarchs,
plates in a super-friendly, gay-owned
flowering tropical plants and flamin-
environment. (azurkeywest.com)
goes! (keywestbutterfly.com)
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TheStoned
Crab
at La Te Da cabaret. I was thrilled to
Key West's freshest seafood, includ-
see Christopher Peterson, master of
ing the renowned stone crab claws, is
impersonations, perform live (no lip-
found at the Stoned Crab, an open-air
sync!) and perfectly characterize icon-
joint on Ibis Bay that has two private
ic women such as Judy Garland, Liza
fishing boats that deliver daily catches
Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Cher and
of stone crab, lobster, Key West shrimp
others. The standard of performance
and a variety of local fish that end up
here is as good as any big city cabaret
on your plate! I'm a seafood snob and
I have seen. It's sophisticated but re-
I highly recommend getting "stoned"
tains the true old-world Key West style
here, which will happen if you order a
which evokes what it was like to be
couple of rounds of organic cocktails.
gay back in the day. It's a dying art so
(stonedcrab.com)
millennials, grab a table and marvel.
WHERE
THE
GAYS
ARE
Te Da's restaurant next door. Tradition-
Before the show, be sure to dine at La
The Key West Business Guild recently
al food, served poolside if you can get
celebrated 40 years of promoting the
that special table. (lateda.com)
island as an LGBT travel destination.
What's on for lesbians? Well,just as
For more information on that, drop in
summer is ending but before holiday
to the Gay Key West Visitors Center on
season begins is a sweet spot-Labor
Duval Street. (gaykeywestfl.com)
Day Weekend and Womenfest Key
But in all honesty, you're more like-
West! Then the island, which is often
ly to see the gayness after dark in the
considered to be a gay male mecca,
"Pink Triangle"-a
welcomes women from across the
cluster of LGBT
bars, clubs, and rainbow crosswalks
globe to an annual celebration that
located around the 700 block of Du-
has become one of the largest gath-
val Street. Duval is the town's main
erings of lesbians and friends in North
14-block entertainment and shopping
America. Choose from a wide range of
zone. There is so much to choose
activities and events during four days
from, with every establishment being
of fun including standup comedy, live
gay-friendly-and
bands, pool parties, cocktail mixers ...
some places are
more gay than others!
or simply laze by the pool with your
801 Cabaret: Sushi and the 801
favorite person. But be prepared to
Girls Drag Show offers nightly drag,
socialize. There's something about
karaoke three nights a week, and live
sharing an island with likeminded
music on Sunday afternoons in the
women-and
an endless supply of
main bar. The popular emporium is lo-
alcohol-that
means you'll be making
cated in the heart of Old Town on the
new friends, as well as making memo-
corner of Petronia and Duval streets.
ries. (womenfest.com)
At least say hello to the lovely drag
E
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c;::::
queens when you pass by this LGBTQ
landmark. (801bourbon.com)
Also uniquely gay is a night out
50 CURVE
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To planyourtripgoto the FloridaKeys
visitorwebsite:fla-keys.com
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JessSalomon( aboveleft) andEmanElhusseini(right)
shouldbeenemies,butthis marriedJewish-Palestinian
couplemakeeachother-andeveryoneelse-laugh.
Howdidyoumeetandwasit loveat
firstsight?
Jess: We met in Montreal, our hometown, at a comedy club. Eman was already on the comedy scene and I was just
starting. It was not love at first sight. Does
that happen? For us, it took two years,
many drinks, and a male comic suggesting we kiss. Honestly, it even took a while
for Eman to be friends with me.
Eman:She speaks with a low voice and
we're always in loud bars. For two years,
I just nodded at whatever she was whispering.
Jess:The point is, we needed to get to
know each other's personalities, and that
is maybe the most lesbian thing that I've
ever said.
Whendidyoubecome
a couple,
and
whomadethefirstmove?
Eman:We are forever indebted to our
52 CURVE
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friend who bought us shots and encouraged us to kiss for his generosity and
foresight. The kiss was so good, but I
SPEECH
Wf:t>D\NG
THANkiov
ALL
Fol<.. conING ,o
ov~ W£D'DING ...
didn't think it'd be marriage good. I was
AAAND SPECIAL
up for a fling because I thought I was
sHovr ouT To
S'ADDAM HUSSEIN.
straight. Boy,was I wrong-and so happy
1
IF HE HAt>r-JT INVADED
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AMILY
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I was.
Jess: It took a little while after that first
move for us to become a couple. Eman
thought she was straight, I was in love
with someone else. I remember telling
Eman not to get too attached. Meanwhile,
in her head she was just checking Lesbian Fling off her to-do list. We only actually
came out about our relationship publicly,
in comedy, once we got engaged, which
was four years after that first move. In retrospect, even though I was the one wanting to yell ''THIS WOMAN IS MY GIRLFRIEND"from the rooftops, it allowed us
to develop our own careers for a while
and was 100 percent the right move.
The'El-Salomons'
combines
bothyour
surnames.
Howdidthathappen?
Co/V\£.DIANS
I
Eman: Jess got into Just for Laughs
HA Ve A C,o,...sf
t$510\f"l_
WHAT I~
1
t WAS LAH,
.r
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cooLC>N 1 r 1-\E:Lf>,r, ,1
last year and they knew I would be a good
IT~
D~II\IKS 1
comedy wife and join her,so they gave us
j~st ... r\Af~{rJtt>,..0
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two shows in Off JFL to do something to-
\1 C. Mi A.Tf.O?
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gether. I thought, But I'm only here to party, why are you making me work?
Jess: We had been putting out our
weekly cartoon but hadn't really shared
the stage together when JFL put the idea
to us ...they bought us a few shots and encouraged us to kiss. That's all it takes!
Eman:It's not easy working with someone you're in a relationship with. Jess
collaborates with a few people, and I can
assure you the way she laughs and jokes
with them ...it's not the same when we
work together.
Jess: I was working on a script with
my friend DeAnne and we were laughing
SPRING
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at the jokes we were coming up with.
brought up Justin Trudeau and this
Eman: I'm opening for my comedy
Eman walked into the room and was
woman yelled, "He takes it up the ass;'
hero and savior Patton Oswalt at the
like, "Oh, okay, I guess it can be like
and I said, "Interesting. So why do you
Beacon Theatre in New York and in
this:' But it is getting easier and more
think taking it up the ass is a sign of
Rhode Island in March. I'll be at the
fun the more we do it. We're finding
weakness?" They are very triggered by
Halifax Comedy Festival in April and
our groove, and I guess I'm trying to
the words "Justin Trudeau" in Alberta.
am planning on recording my second
improve my tone when I give feedback, pretend we're just friends?
album in May.
Whomakesthecartoons?
Eman: It's a challenge, but you
Eman:Jess came up with the idea a
know, we gotta give the people what
year ago after our dear friend and gift-
they want.
theelsalomons.com
ed illustrator, Jesse Brown, made our
wedding invitations and my mother-
Comedy
as a formis beingquestionedbysocial
justicemovements
rightnow.Thoughts
onthat?
Eman:The comedy world has been
in-law thought he made us look thin.
We knew we weren't losing weight
IRL, so we thought a skinny cartoon
version of us would be perfect.
a safe haven for male comics. This
Jess: Eman and I write the car-
is slowly changing now, thank good-
toons and then we send them over
ness! The only comics resisting PC
to Jesse, who lives in London and is
culture are the ones whose comedy
married to my childhood best friend.
relies on being offensive. They should
He adds this other layer of comedy,
You KrJOW Wl-\AT,
spend more time writing than com-
which is so great. The facial expres-
)'OU'~t
plaining. With amazing movements
sions! We're living in such politically
like #blacklivesmatter, #timesup, and
charged times, where so much hatred
#metoo some men have been held
comes from people's fear of what they
accountable for the first time in exis-
don't know. We felt that a cartoon life
tence, which doesn't make them very
could provide a nice counterpoint.
happy. I get it-they got away with lit-
Cartoons are a great way to broach
erally everything for so long it's hard
big topics and dark topics with humor
to adjust.
and sweetness, and that's what this
Jess: So many new spaces have
cartoon aims to do. Because at the
opened up and different voices are
end of the day love is love, and, as ev-
being heard. It's exciting to hear new
eryone knows, gay people will be the
jokes and to hear from people who
ones to save us all.
have historically been the butt of the
joke! The most difficulty I have with
Anybiggigsthisspring?
jokes of mine not being appropri-
Jess: I co-host a monthly show at
ate is with conservative audiences
Union Hall in Brooklyn called The Les-
shutting down before they even hear
bian Agenda every second Tuesday of
the punchline, because the premise
the month. And look out for my debut
doesn't line up with their worldview.
album, All the Best Choices, with 800
In a conservative part of Canada, I
Pound Gorilla Records.
54 CURVE
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0
n the cover of her new album, There Will Be
No Intermission, Amanda Palmer stands
stark naked, wielding a sword. The image
(and for that matter, the title) parallels the the album
itself. Palmer has never really been one to separate
life from art, but Intermissiontakes things to a whole
new level. It's billed as her most personal album to
date-and it's easy to see why. A lot has happened
to Palmer since her last solo effort, 2012's Theater
Is Evil, and much of it-losing a close friend to cancer, having an abortion, being misunderstood by the
media, not to mention bearing witness to the atrocities that all of us have seen under Donald Trumpwasn't pretty. In the press release I was sent with
the album advance, she is quoted as saying, ''This
isn't really the record that I was planning to make.
But loss and death kept happening in real time, and
these songs became my therapeutic arsenal of tools
for making sense of it all:' So Palmer isn't just naked
literally on Intermission but also figuratively. She
bares her soul.
Fans expecting something similar to TheaterIs Evil
will be disappointed. Then again, longtime fans know
that Palmer never makes the same album twice. This
is still an Amanda Palmer disc, of course, and it's a
great one; it's not like she's pulled a Liz Phair and is
now looking for mainstream acceptance and hits on
the charts. But where Theaterwas a band album and
sported a New Wavey rock n' roll sound, Intermission
goes in a completely different direction. With few
exceptions, this album is just Palmer and her piano.
There are only 10 songs on Intermission,yet the album
runs over an hour in length. That is due not only to
the songs themselves-most of which are between
five and 10 minutes long-but to the fact that there
are shorter instrumental interludes between each of
the longer pieces. Intermission was funded entirely
by Patreon and recorded in L.A. with producer John
Congleton.
The 10 proper tracks on Intermission add up to a
song cycle in which nothing feels out of place. The
centerpiece, to these ears, is "A Mother's Confession;' which clocks in at more than 1O minutes,
arrives three-quarters of the way through, and is
basically a diary of Palmer's experiences as a new
mom (her son, Ash, is now 3). It's a stream-of-consciousness piece, alternately frightening, funny, and
poignant. We follow Palmer from place to place as
she grapples with being a new mom and also deals
with the day-to-day challenges all of us face. At the
song's climax, Palmer sings, "I wonderif I shouldhave
hada child."WhenI tell her that wasa pretty ballsything
to write,shereplies,"I reallywannatell the truth. I'm never gonnabe the kind of person who[will] paint a picture
of motherhoodthat's all about balanceand roses and
home-cookedsoup. I'm gonna continue to be rock n'
roll..."
''That song was written when my baby was 4
months old, and I was traveling solo, with a baby on
my back, to visit [some] friends in the States;' she
says. ''There is this really insidious narrative that's
foisted on us as women, that we can be useful as
artists or we can be useful as mothers, but we can't
do both;' she adds. "And even if we intellectually
know that that's not true, the fear is very hard to escape...I [also] think women all over the world are waking up to the power of storytelling. And particularly
the power of shameless storytelling. We have been
Palmer pays more direct homage to another in-
disconnected from one another by the patriarchy for
fluence elsewhere on the album. "Judy Blume" is a
so many years. [So] to see a whole new generation of
song about the woman who wrote groundbreaking
women waking up to the fact that when we unabash-
YA novels like Are You There,God?It's Me Margaret.
edly tell one another the truth, and share our experi-
"I didn't recognize how massive an influence on me
ences, this is the antidote to what has [kept] us down
she was until one day it hit me like a ton of bricks ...lt's
for so long-it's a real revelation. Even for someone
not that she didn't make the cut-she never occurred
[like me] who has been a feminist from Day One;' she
to me! When I went backward and did the math and
says.
thought about her books-and the topics-my
brain
"Even I am waking up to how much fear I have had
just exploded. [But] it was not until I wrote that song
around other women and how competitive I've been.
that I did a little homework and realized how lucky I
Watching #MeToo happen, and watching an open
was as a kid in Massachusetts to take for granted
celebration of women who support one another, has
that her books would be freely available. I had no idea
totally changed the playing field. It's no longer cool
that her work was so heavily censored and burned in
to be fiercely independent and competitive. And that
other states in America .... So that was a 'check your
is, in my opinion, the ticket out of this hell-women
privilege' moment. I was privileged to grow up with
realizing that we have much more power when we
Judy Blume's books:'
help one another and share our stories with one an-
Even though she is married to writer Neil Gaiman,
other than when we try to defeat and compete with
and is now a mom, Palmer is still refreshingly candid
one another:'
about her sexual orientation. "I have slept and hope-
The second proper song and the first single from
fully will continue to sleep with everybody,' she tells
Intermissionis also the only one that could really be
me with a laugh. "In the immortal words of Margaret
considered rock n' roll. "Drowning in the Sound" is an
Cho, I'm not gay or straight or bi; I'm just slutty. I've
excellent tune, but it's a little more abstract and a lot
always identified as bi, but I [prefer to] identify myself
more produced than the other songs. Its theatrical
as wide open. No pun intended:'
arrangement sometimes recalls the genius of Kate
Palmer is planning an extensive tour in support of
Bush. The lyrics are also unusual in that they were in-
Intermission.She will kick things off in mid-March,
spired not only by Palmer's personal experiences but
right after the album is released, and hopes to stay
by pop culture, global issues like climate change-
on the road most of the year. It will be an unusual
and even her fans! 'That song was written as an ex-
tour for her in that it will not feature other musicians.
ercise in fast art;' she explains. "It was a speed test. I
This will just be Palmer and her piano-intimate
and
booked two days in the studio [and told my patrons],
minimal-performing
'I don't have a plan. I'm writing a song tomorrow, re-
you're wondering, there will be an intermission at ev-
cording it the next day. I wanna know what's going
ery show. "I'm really excited to take this album on the
on with you. So hit me with comments: And I cut and
road to parts of this country that are nowhere near
pasted a lot of their comments into the song! I specif-
the coasts;' she says. "I'm really excited to take this
ically put together an 'exquisite corpse' of what was
record to Kansas and Utah and states [like that]. In
going on in my life and in my head, and their com-
the shadow center of Trump, I'm excited to go out on
ments-and tied it all together with metaphor. I also
the road and be more flagrantly political than I've ever
had been listening to Dilateby Ani DiFranco non-stop
been:'
that week:' Not the first time she has cited Ani as an
influence.
amandapalmer.net
mainly in theaters. And in case
COVERSTORY
60 CURVE
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COVERSTORY
Rainbow
Rebel
Inside the world ofNats Getty's lifestyle brand, Strike Oil.
Story:MerrynJohnsand RachelPaulson
Photos:StephanieSaias
Hair+ makeup:HilaryMontez
T
•
his past winter, in the Strike
painting process she applies to large-
Oil studio in Culver City, we
scale works. The message is in the
caught up with Nats Getty for
method: Express yourself.
an exclusive preview of her new artis-
When we hung out in New York
tic lifestyle brand, modeled by Nats,
last year, Nats drew our attention to
25, and her fiancee, Gigi Gorgeous.
the baseball jersey she was wearing,
While sipping on LGBT-brandEquality
which bore the mottos "Zero Judg-
Vodka Moscow Mules (Gigi), and a
ment" and "I am. We are. Let's be:'
few beers (Nats), to a soundtrack of
Nats told us she was working on a
Ariana Grande,Justin Bieber,and Blink
number of projects but all of them had
182, Nats explained the motivation be-
in common the idea of giving back.
hind her Strike Oil brand and treated
"For every collection I do there will al-
us to a display of her unique bespoke
ways be at least one piece that is 100
clothing. Taking designer pieces, Nats
percent charity-based;' she says. Re-
repurposes them with print, paint and
cipients have included GLAAD and the
applique, creating one-off signature
Los Angeles LGBT Center. She also
pieces that embody her rebel-with-a-
held a live-painting event and vigil on-
cause spirit.
site after the Orlando Pulse shooting.
To fully emerge us in her rock
The T-shirts and hoodies she's de-
star-meets-street-artist aesthetic, we
signed feature checkered neon rain-
moved outside the studio to the al-
bow prints or have the rainbow flag
ley where Nats showed us the action
embroidered on them as symbols of
SPRING
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CURVE 61
COVERSTORY
LGBTQ solidarity. "What's different
a tattoo of her first girlfriend's name (it
about Strike Oil is, I don't just want to
was removed not long after).
Downtown. I make sure I can make
something that some posh lady on
make something that's cool or swag-
Although Nats failed art in high
the Upper East Side can buY:' For ex-
gy-I want it to do something good;'
school her artistic spirit could not be
ample, Ming Dynasty influenced ce-
she says. "I also want people who are
suppressed, and she went back to
ramic vases with cheeky motifs of pot
wearing Strike Oil to feel like they're
art six years later. Inspiration came
leaves. Her mom will give her a Fendi
part of a gang of people who are
in the form of disappointment: she'd
bag and say "Strike Oil if' And there's
like-minded:'
purchased a designer jacket and felt
more affordable tees, tanks, bandan-
Nats has received the full support
pretty special about her splurge until
as, and hats.
of her mom, Ariadne, and her brother,
she saw someone else wearing the ex-
This lifestyle brand is also a philos-
August, a fashion designer (he is the
act same jacket. She went home and
ophy that fits anyone from skater kids
youngest designer ever to show at
took some White Out and "went crazy
to celebrities. Halsey owns two Strike
New York Fashion Week). "We love
on if' She then expanded on the idea,
Oil jackets and Nats envisages other
each other so much, the three of us.
finding vintage items on eBay and
people like Hayley Kiyoko, Young MA,
We're like a little tripod;' she says. Nats
augmenting them just because she
or Cara Delevingne owning her swag.
came out to her mom when she was
enjoyed it. Now she designs garments
"People who are authentic" she says.
16. After boarding school in England,
in her studio such as satin bomber
"I love people who are shamelessly
themselves. It's not the name or what
they do. It's what they are:'
I
"Ilovepeople
whoare
shamelessly
themselves.
Creativity
isallabout
self-expression."
Fashion is more queer-friendly now,
she says. "I personally think my generation and younger have watched
the fashion industry, and I feel that so
many people got bored of having to
stick to these rigid rules:' Influenced
by artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith
Haring and Basquiat, Nats firmly
believes that "Creativity is all about
self-expression:'
Nats moved back to L.A., cut her hair,
jackets that are reversible and feature
It's heartening to see that a patriar-
dressed as a true tomboy, and started
a Strike Oil logo or custom print. "Any-
chy founded on oil has now evolved
dating a girl. "I was scared to tell my
thing that I would want to wear, I make
into a female and gay expression of art
mom and one day it slipped out and
it;' she says.
and philanthropy. But Nats says the
my mom was like, 'Nats, duh: " After
She makes capsule collections and
impulse to pay it forward was always
all, as a kid of 4 or 5 Nats was out
drops them each month on social me-
there in her family. "My great-grandfa-
climbing trees and riding skateboards.
dia. "When I first started designing it
ther is John Paul Getty, and when he
"My mom completely adored it, and
was always art and activism mixed
was asked the key to success he said,
she encouraged if' She was upset,
together. The aesthetic of Strike Oil is
'Rise early. Work hard. Strike oil: That's
however, that Nats had gone and got
street-wear with a twist, Uptown and
what he lived by and that's what he
62 CURVE
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• • • •
COVERSTORY
did. He was savage in business, but
what he did later in his life with the
Getty Villa and the Getty Museum
and gifting them both to Los Angeles
resonates with me so much, because
he wanted to bring beauty and art and
history into the world and let anyone
and everyone experience if'
Nats'
grandfather was also philanthropic
and her mother is, too. For several
years now Ariadne has worked with
Sarah Kate Ellis to further the cause
of GLAAD."Strike Oil is a tribute to my
family DNA;' says Nats. "That's where
a lot of my feelings of wanting to do
good in the world come from:'
The family has also expanded to
include many of Nats' and August's
queer friends, including Gigi,who Nats
met while they were modeling at one
of August's fashion shows. They later
bonded on a trip to Paris. At the time,
both Gigi and Nats were getting over
bad breakups. Nats was at a low point
and Gigi was dealing with adversity
with her characteristic positivity. "Gigi
makes me laugh;' says Nats. "I didn't
even know that I could laugh that
hard. No matter what's going on she's
able to say 'Let's get into it; and we
have fun. She has had to fight every
• • •
single day of her life to be who she is. I
fell in love with Gigi's magic. We fell in
love with each other's souls. I've never
had someone support me and encourage me as much as she does:'
Gigi wears the Strike Oil label with
pride. "When Nats and I first started
dating, she had beanies, hoodies and
........
~
• • • • • • • • • • •
trucker hats in all different colors
that were not for sale yet, so I started
off wearing those when I was at her
place. Now it's like second nature to
me to be in her brand!
"What I love most about Strike Oil
is that you can dress it up or dress it
down. For instance, we were recently
in Davos for the World Economic Forum and I wore the Coachella Long
Sleeve Button-Up Camp Shirt with
a black Balmain high-waisted skirt.
Nats wears the same top untucked
with either a pair of dress pants to be
more formal, or jeans for a more casual look. No matter how you wear these
pieces, they look gorgeous and they're
so high quality!"
She's fond of the Gigi Gorgeous
Satin Bomber Jacket. "It's reversible,
so I can wear it no matter what mood
I am in. If I'm feeling super girly, I can
rock the hot pink side. If I want to be
more street style, I can rock the print
lining side:'
Somewhat of a muse to Nats, Gigi
is adamant about her partner's creativity. "I love talking her though ideas
whenever she asks for my input or
advice, but ultimately, everything are
Nats' ideas and concepts. She's the
most creative person I know!"
And for those who may criticize
this trans woman-lesbian union, Nats
adopts a Strike Oil stance: "I just take
that hate and turn it into love:'
strikeoil.com
• • • •
COVERSTORY
• • • •
I
"Strike
Oilisatribute
tomyfamily
DNA."
SPRING
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•
eer1n
il
·ckin n
of ne feature
t Eln ·1y.
POPCORN
woman, and how the mistress of Emily
Dickinson's brother-who
put together
Emily's first books of poetry-created
the myth of the disturbed recluse who
would not see anyone at all and did not
wish to publish:'
Olnek weaves those details into her
film, constantly juxtaposing the story
we've been told with the story that has
quite literally been erased.
The star of Wild Nights with Emily is
the comedian Molly Shannon. If that
casting makes you wary that this is
some extended SaturdayNight Liveslapstick, it is anything but. Olnek attended
NYU with Shannon and was always
eager to work with her. "The brilliant director Robert Altman once said of Molly
Shannon that she was 'some kind of genius' -and the description could not be
more apt. She is truly sui generis. When
you are telling the story of a great mind,
of an American original, I think it is important that the actor playing the part
themselves contains the 'multitudes;
as Whitman might have put it, of the
character. This is the story of one of the
great misunderstood women in history.
committed to her own work as a writer,
Emily baking bread and writing lines of
Not only was she brilliant, but she was
editor, and mother of three. Shannon
a poem in pencil on the back of a recipe
also warm, funny, and full of life. I felt
and Zeigler have tremendous chemistry.
card; to her pretending not to have any
that if Molly Shannon played Emily Dick-
Dickinson wanted to be published,
poems to give to Sue and then pulling a
inson, people would finally understand
but publishers were leery of her singular
sheaf from behind her dress sash, while
style. Gilbert herself declares when she
another poem is twirled up in her hair,
first reads the poetry, "It doesn't rhyme:'
and still another is folded tightly and
who Dickinson was:'
Shannon's portrayal shatters all our
preconceptions about the poet-and
One would-be publisher, Thomas Hig-
placed inside her locket. That last, Sue's
about Shannon herself. Shannon's per-
ginson (Brett Gelman), takes a pencil to
face tells us, is personal.
formance is composed, thoughtful, sur-
one of Emily's poems and notes, about
Wild Nights with Emily explains how
prising, robust, witty, sensual, and above
a signature element of her work, 'These
the women, born just nine days apart
all believable.
dashes-are
In counterpoint to Shannon's Emily
is Susan Zeigler, who plays Sue Gilbert,
and has worked with Olnek in other proj-
they really necessary?"
in 1830, met as teenagers, as they read
Only 11 of Dickinson's poems were pub-
from Shakespeare together. On their
lished during her lifetime.
way home, Emily confesses her love.
There are moments of delightful,
Susan, at first confused, says, "I couldn't
ects. Zeigler's strong performance as
insouciant cleverness in Wild Nights
kiss you as I would a man:' She then
Emily's devoted and loving life partner
with Emily,from the opening sequence,
becomes the arbiter of the women's
portrays a woman who is as dedicated
which immediately debunks the myth
future, marrying Emily's brother so that
to publishing Emily's poetry as she is
of her as a chaste recluse; to scenes of
she and Emily will never be separated,
68
CURVE
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POPCORN
what was actually transpiring in the life
of the poet. Some of these are hilarious,
others unsettling. As Olnek explains, Mabel and Austin had their trysts at Emily's
house, so she stayed in her room when
they were there, creating the impression
that she was a recluse.
WildNightswith Emilyis a film about how
lesbian stories get corrupted and erased.
It's smart, engaging, and deeply moving.
Olnek says, "I hope viewers will take heart
in this story of a great romance and lifelong relationship between two brilliant
women. And stay strong! Life can offer
many unfortunate twists and turns and
hard knocks; but if you keep trying, people
will hear you in the end and history will remember your efforts. And, I hope it will win
some new converts over to enjoy Dickinson's poetry. She is not the creepy, morbid
recluse you thought she was-she had a
good time. And she also made it into the
literary canon!"
WildNightsWithEmilyopensApril2019.
living next door to each other until Emily's
untimely death at 56.
The story of lesbian erasure-of lesbian
lives retold and misrepresented by historians and others through the lens of heteronormativity-is as old as Sappho herself.
But as Olnek reveals in WildNightswith Em-
ily,the relationship between the two women was quite literally rubbed out by Mabel
Todd (Amy Seimetz), the editor of the first
book of Emily Dickinson's poems.
Todd had a long affair with Emily's
brother, Austin (Kevin Seal). She felt the
poems to Sue were too obviously romantic and wanted Sue's name taken off
them. It was she who, while touring with
the book, fed rumors of Emily's spinsterhood as a recluse. Olnek juxtaposes Todd
lecturing about Dickinson with scenes of
SPRING
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CURVE 69
HISTORY
TheArt of
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Beth Suskin (left) and Leslie Cohen (right)
are partners in life-and in LGBT history. Here,
Cohen shares their personal and public story of
"gay liberation:'
70 CURVE
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HISTORY
A lesbian reflects on
the 50th anniversary
of Stonewall.
LeslieCohen
Beth Suskin, my partner (and now wife) of 42
years, and I were the models for Gay Liberation,
the sculpture that now resides in Christopher Park
across from the Stonewall Inn. Since the sculpture's unveiling in 1992, we have stood before it
many times, staring at our doppelganger selves.
We have witnessed drunken men slouched on the
park bench, resting their heads in our laps; children
climbing on us like monkey bars and sitting on
our knees; grown men and women crying openly
before it, overcome with emotion, perhaps remembering the humiliations they'd experienced when
they were taunted, arrested, forced to hide their
true identities. Gay men and lesbians from around
the world have also come to see the sculpture as
a symbol of gay pride and as a confirmation of the
great progress that has been made toward their
visibility and acceptance.
It is astounding to us that our love for each other
is publicly signified and immortalized in this way.
However, neither our love story nor the story of the
sculpture can be told in full without mentioning Sahara, the first New York City-area nightclub owned
by women, for women. Opened by me and my three
female partners in Manhattan in 1976, it was an elegant oasis in a desert of oppression against women, both gay and straight; a place where beautiful
women found their voices and discovered a safe
space to express who they were. Luminaries came
to witness and bask in its welcoming scene, nurturing a generation of women who would become the
luminaries of the future. Beth and I discovered our
love for each other against the backdrop of Sahara;
for us, the two are inextricably woven together.
SPRING
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CURVE 71
HISTORY
Isn't it strange how the most horrific and wonderful events of your life can happen within days
of each other? In early November of 1979, three
weeks before Sahara was forced to close, I received a phone call from an old friend, the artist
David Boyce, who worked at the Sidney Janis Gallery which represented George Segal, the important and influential American artist (1924-2000).
I knew David from my previous career as an art
historian. I hadn't spoken to him in ages. He told
me that Segal was commissioned to create a
sculpture commemorating the 1969 Stonewall
Inn uprising in New York City. The commission
stipulated only that the work "had to be loving and
caring, and show the affection that is the hallmark
of gay people ...and it had to have equal represen-
GLORIA)lEINEN'\
•••• ••
..
tation of men and women:' It would be a gift to the
city of New York.
David called to ask me if I'd be willing to be a
model. He was having a tough time finding people, because anyone who agreed to sit for the
sculpture would be exposing themselves to the
possible consequences of being outed. I had already outed myself in a big way when I left the art
world and opened Sahara, and Beth was so proud
of our love for each other that she adamantly
wanted us to be visible. When I told Beth about
the opportunity to be a part of this historic sculpture, she was ecstatic. Participating in the sculpture is how we'd finally actualize our aspirations
to be visible and help to legitimize same-sex love
to the world. Modeling for the sculpture was not
an issue for us. It was an honor.
Within a few weeks, Beth and I were sitting in
George Segal's studio in South Brunswick, N.J.,
discussing what the sculpture would look like.
As exciting and revolutionary as the idea was, it
would take another 73 years for the sculpture to
finally be installed. The 1970s were a tumultuous
time; in some ways they were just a continuation
of what the 1960s had started. Women, African
Americans, gays and lesbians, all were marginalized people continuing their fight for equality. If
72 CURVE
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The owners of Sahara
(fromright):Cohen,Barbara Russo,LindaGoldfarb,and MichelleFlorea
(secondfrom left}
HISTORY
Sahara,the first women-owned
lesbian bar in New York City,
opened in 1976 as a club for
lesbians and their friends, with
celebrities such as Jane Fonda,
Patti Smith, Pat Benatar,Betty
Friedan,GloriaSteinem and others dropping by or performing.
SPRING
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CURVE 73
HISTORY
it seems like just yesterday when those were the
issues of the day,that's because now, 50 years later, we still struggle to gain visibility and equality
Weare "thegrotesquesstereotypesoffensiveto all
for gay and transgender Americans. Back then,
in our community,"referredto in a recent New York
it was the infamous Anita Bryant who was most
Timesarticle. (Part of the audience,seeingthe irony,
stridently opposed to gay and lesbian rights.
eruptedinto loud applause.)Thisis not meant to be
Today, we have Donald Trump and Mike Pence.
an explicit representationof Stonewall.It is much
This fervent conservatism and return to "family
bigger than that-it representsliberation,by openly
values" was foreshadowed nearly 40 years ago
showingour lovefor oneanotherin a visualmedium.
in the controversy surrounding the GayLiberation
Thereis no strongerstatementthan that,in our quest
sculpture. In an article in the New YorkTimeson
for liberation.Thebottom line in our strugglehas al-
August 28, 1980, the various disputes were delin-
waysbeenvisibility I wonder,if this weretwo hetero-
eated; some Greenwich Village residents argued
sexualcouplesinstead of homosexualcoupleswho
that it was not the homosexual subject matter
modeledfor this sculpture,whichcelebratesloveand
that was the issue, it was the location. They just
respect,wouldtherebe sucha brouhaha,suchantag-
didn't want Gay Liberation in Christopher Park.
onism as we'veseenheretonight?Or,instead,would
Others were just brazenly homophobic. Homo-
we all be sitting heretonightcelebratingthe fact that
sexuals complained that the proposed sculpture
the Villagehas now becomethe recipientof a major
was not inclusive enough;that it did not include a
sculptureby GeorgeSegal,a pre-eminentcontempo-
black or a Latin person; that the sculptor was not
rary artist celebratedthroughoutthe world?
gay. The Timesarticle also cited an unnamed gay
activist who was distributing petitions "protesting
that the figures in the sculpture are 'grotesque stereotypes offensive to all in the community'."
The four of us who'd modeled for the sculpture
were exasperated. The senseless arguments for
and against it finally came to a head in September of 1980, at a volatile jam-packed public hearing held by the Parks Committee of Community
Board 2 (which represented Greenwich Village).
In David Boyce's reaction to the brewing battle,
he suggested that we make T-shirts with words
"grotesque stereotypes" emblazoned across the
front, referring of course to the "offensive" quote
in the Times.
Some of the comments made at the hearing,
punctuated by shouted obscenities, were so vitriolic and homophobic that by the time it was my
turn to speak at the lectern I was quite upset. The
four of us stood in front of the crowd of over 200,
wearing our "grotesque stereotypes" T-shirts. I
approached the microphone and addressed the
audience:
74 CURVE
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GayLiberationwas finally unveiled in Christopher
Park, across from the Stonewall Inn, in June 1992.
On June 24, 2016, then-president Barack Obama
officially designated the Stonewall Inn and the area
surrounding it, including the GayLiberationstatue,
as the Stonewall National Monument, making it
the first National Monument in the United States to
be designated as an LGBT historic site. Since then,
GayLiberation,the sculpture, has gained more and
more visibility around the world and has become
an icon and a pilgrimage site that is visited by thousands of people every year.
1ST
PRING
CIU
75
V
EVENTS
New York City hosts WorldPride 2019 for the entire
month of June as part of the 50th anniversary of the
Stonewall uprising.
MerrynJohns
take some comfort in the
fact that in a time of global
fragmentation, WorldPride,
which highlights LGBT causes on an international scale,
is still going strong since its
inaugural 2000 event in Rome.
This year, New York City gets
to host the party, which is fltting since the Big Apple is still
the most popular destination
for LGBT travelers, according to the latest travel survey
from Community & Marketing Insights (CMI). This year
marks the 50th anniversary of
the Stonewall uprising, wide-
I
76 CURVE
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ly regarded as the beginning
the modern gay rights movement. The year 2019 marks
the first time that WorldPride
will be celebrated in the United
States, and the timing couldn't
be better. The world's media
capital will provide a fitting
backdrop for this year's Pride
events: Not only are we celebrating our LGBT identity but
we're joining together to defy
all the attempts to roll back
our rights, even as right-wing
administrations gain prominence around the globe, including here in the U.S.
NT
SP I G
I
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77
EVENTS
I I Over 4 million
people will de-
ronment. Join community activists,
our lives-including
those
lost-
in its most
scend upon New York City for
organizers, politicians, and more
and our community
the largest LGBTQIA+ gather-
and take a stand against oppres-
visible form.
ing in our history;' said Chris Fred-
sion. We're here, we're queer, for an-
erick, NYC Pride's managing direc-
other 50 years!
CLOSING
CEREMONY,
JUNE
30
PRIDE
ISLAND,
JUNE
28-30
at one of the most iconic tourist
An incredible month will climax
tor. So here's a little taste of what
WorldPride has in store for you, in
destinations
in the world-Times
addition to millions of people cel-
Imagine your very own queer cul-
ebrating millions of moments of
tural oasis in New York City. Pride ls-
Square-featuring
a performance
land is a multiday LGBTQIA+experi-
by everyone's favorite out lesbian
ence on Hudson River Park's Pier 97,
rocker, Grammy
Award-winning
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CONFERENCE,
JUNE
in the heart of the "gayborhood" of
singer-songwriter
Melissa
24-25
Hell's Kitchen. Dance with your girl,
idge. The star-studded evening will
hang out with pals, and immerse
provide a full slate of high profile
yourself in queer music talent.
speakers and global musical tal-
pride-together:
NYC Pride's Human Rights Conference is a two-day gathering of
ents who represent the best of the
activists, artists, educators, media,
policymakers, students, and others
Ether-
PRIDEFEST,
JUNE
30
LGBTQIA+community.
engaged in global LGBTQIA+rights.
This vibrant street fair combines
Loved by the mainstream for
Be part of this diverse discourse on
diverse exhibitors, entertainers, and
her passionate lyrics and distinc-
human rights, with performances,
activities for a day of fun and cele-
tive rocker vocals, Etheridge broke
presentations, and discussion of
bration in the name of equality. Feel
through to megastardom in 1993 af-
the policies that will shape our lives
like a real New Yorker as you hang
ter coming out ahead of the release
for years to come.
out with thousands of local resi-
of her album Yes I Am. Ever since,
OPENING
CEREMONY,
JUNE
26
dents and families. Stroll the streets,
she has remained one of America's
sample food, people watch, and pur-
favorite female singer-songwriters
NYC Pride's WorldPride 2019
chase artisanal souvenirs from the
combining her musical talent with
opening ceremony will kick off
folks who support our community
outspoken activism. Last October
a slate of unforgettable events.
on every level from grassroots to
she released Memphis Rock & Soul
Expect emotion, excitement, and
corporate.
to critical acclaim.
NYC
PRIDE
MARCH,
JUNE
30
feature a "passing of the torch"
some exceptional talent.
STONEWALL
50 COMMEMORATION,
JUNE
28
The closing ceremony will also
The first NYC Pride March was
to the city that will host the next
held in 1970, the year following
WorldPride. "We look forward to
NYC Pride will commemorate the
Stonewall, and it has since be-
closing out Pride in celebration and
historic Stonewall uprising by tak-
come an annual civil rights demon-
in commemoration of our ingenious
ing the Rally back into the streets!
stration as well as an expression
history and our invaluable collected
Even though 50 years have passed
of LGBTQ pride. Now the largest
experiences as a community;' said
since one night changed the course
and longest LGBTQIA+ march of
Chris Frederick.
of LGBThistory, our rights are being
its kind in the world, this year it
eroded by the current political envi-
will be the ultimate celebration of
78 CURVE
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worldpride.org
NT
SP I G
I
CIU
7
EVENTS
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80 CURVE
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EVENTS
WHERE
TOSTAY
The AC Hotel New York Times
views over DKNY or the New York
chia pudding-is served. On the same
Square is perfectly situated to get
Timesheadquarters! You really feel as
block as the AC Hotel are other quint-
you to all your WorldPride activities
though Gotham City is at your feet.
essential NYC options, everything
and to anywhere in the city itself. Lo-
After checking in, I went straight
from Dean & Deluca to pizza. And to
cated at 260 West 40th St., it's within
to the rooftop lounge and took in the
work off those slices, you can hit the
walking distance of Times Square to
iconic Manhattan skyline views at
state-of-the-art gym below the lobby.
the west and Bryant Park to the east.
Castell Rooftop Lounge, a lovely bar
Orjust hit the pavement. You are with-
Transportation to anywhere is just a
that serves light bites, small share
in easy walking distance of Broadway,
block away at the Port Authority Ter-
plates, and classic cocktails. Sit in-
Restaurant Row, and the WorldPride
minal. The hotel itself is a contem-
side or grab a table on the terrace. It's
parade route. And, love it or hate it,
porary glass-fronted tower with chic,
a great spot to unwind and plan your
Times Square is arguably the world's
spacious rooms in what is essentially
Big Apple adventure.
most visited tourist attraction. The
an urban oasis. Suites feature mini-
For a great meal without leaving
following must-see sites are all less
malist monochrome interiors with all
the property, book a table at Boqueria
than a mile from your door. the Empire
the conveniences and amenities you
for authentic modern Barcelona-style
State Building, Madison Square Gar-
would expect from a Marriott.
tapas.
den, Radio City Music Hall, Rockefel-
If you book a King guest room with
Lunch and dinner feature
tapas, paella, and seasonal specials,
ler Center,Central Park, Grand Central
City View you'll be treated to floor-to-
paired with
hand-selected wines,
Terminal, the High Line, Fifth Avenue
ceiling glass windows that are slightly
cocktails, and Sangrfa. This is also
shopping, and MOMA-just to name
raked, evoking that classic New York
where the signature AC breakfast-in-
a few!
City penthouse feel. Depending on
cluding croissants, charcuterie, fruit,
your location, your room might have
cheeses, egg tarts, and house-made
marriott.com
SPRING
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EVENTS
PRIDE
HEADS
UPSTATE
role in these social justice movements.
Prideonthe Beach,June21-23
Long Island, birthplace of Harvey Milk,
will kick off New York's Pride celebrations
with Pride on the Beach, a three-day destination weekend of 30+ LGBTQ events,
including concerts, parties, and the second annual Pet Pride Parade in collaboration with Animal Planet. A great way to
unwind and cool down by the ocean.
Prideonthe Vines,June25
Visitors to Long Island can head straight
from the beach to the vineyard for Pride
on the Vines. This daylong event in the
North Fork's picturesque wine country
will include tours, tastings, receptions,
and parties. I mean, wine not?
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Bishop Gene Robinson, the Episcopal
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Church's first openly gay bishop, will lead
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a discussion about the building of Amer-
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ica's LGBTQ community through major
events including Stonewall, the AIDS
Fifty years ago this summer, a group
your visit and explore New York State and
crisis, and marriage equality. The discus-
of individuals at New York City's Stone-
take advantage of the lush summer envi-
sion, paired with a reception hosted by
wall Inn-including
ronment in scenic regions including Long
Chautauqua's LGBTQcommunity organi-
lesbians and trans-
gender folks!-stood
up to decades of
Island, the Hudson Valley, the Catskills,
zation, will be part of a weeklong program
discrimination in one night. The Stone-
the Adirondaks, 1000 Islands, the Finger
examining "Uncommon Ground: Commu-
wall Inn and the park right across the
Lakes, Niagara and more.
nities Working Toward Solutions:'
"SingOut,NewYork!",
May28-June2 and
June6-g
Prideat the Falls,July5
to LGBTQ rights. But New York State
street from it have become the country's first national monument dedicated
Celebrate World Pride and Stonewall 50 at
has always been a leader in advancing
The five-day American Music Festival,
one of the world's most famous natural
equal rights, with a proud legacy that in-
May 28 to June 2 in the township of Troy,
wonders: Niagara Falls, America's oldest
cludes abolition, women's rights, LGBTQ
will feature renowned composers and ad-
state park. Pride at the Falls features a
equality, and, most recently, the NYC
vocates for LGBTQ rights. A regional tour
free concert by the Buffalo Philharmon-
gender-neutral birth certificates
law.
of free outdoor concerts, June 6 to 9, will
ic, fireworks, and the Falls lit in rainbow
While millions of people are expected to
highlight the Stonewall uprising, World-
colors.
visit New York City for this momentous
Pride 2019, and the women's suffrage
occasion, we recommend you extend
movement, showcasing New York State's
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iloveny.com/WorldPride
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LIVING
TRUE
C RVE
4 timesa year
• Spring
Summer • Fall • Winter
PRINT $35
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DIGITAL $13
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