Bride Pride Sets Out to Grab the Guinness

Travel
Whistler’s Winter
Wonderland
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It is not
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SAMANTHA
RONSON
One of the hottest celebrity
DJ’s who can throw it down.
LN Contributors
Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup
and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA., they met there at 17 years
of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October
3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but
also how uniquely they work together.
Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a
history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist.
Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts - A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She
sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with
her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her
biggest passions.
Dina Evan PhD., is a noted speaker and veteran activist for LGBT, Women’s and Human
Rights. She is a professional counselor and spiritual coach working with individuals, couples
and organizations from coast to coast. She has authored three books, Inspiration Cards,
Calendars and Meditation CD’s. She provides tools for creating successful relationships
which she believes are the path to consciousness. Dina feels the highest assignment today is
simply waking up. (602) 997-1200 - www.DrDinaEvan.com
Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los
Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University,
Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She.retired as a secondary school
principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they
have been working on the LN together since 2005.
John Esther For nearly a dozen years, Movie Editor John Esther has been writing for
Lesbian News. Over time, he has written more than 100 articles for LN on film, music,
theater, and culture. His monthlymovie column, Eye C, is currently the longest consecutiverunning movie column in LN. John also contributes articles to numerous other publications,
plus his own blog. John is currently a Board Member of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment
Critics Association(GALECA)
Juno Parreñas, PhD has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since
1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five
countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s
from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not
writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on
her research involving orangutans.
Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netflix, when tweeting was
something birds did and “Pinterest” was a bad typo. She relied on her fertile imagination
for fun quickly discovering that words threaded together could create a vibrant tapestry of
expression. This awareness sparked a passion and subsequent career. For more than 20
years, she has written for and edited regional and niche publications. She has authored over
100 published articles.Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids.
Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a pa-
rade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone
in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority
to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy
clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s
a great place to meet women!
Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle
columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffington Post, and serves as the
West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine)
writing pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards.Born in Beirut,
Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in
entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of
Arts in journalism from New York University.
Morag Hillsinger is the Nom de Plume of R.J. Birmingham, a local attorney. Winner of
an essay competition in 1993 “Trial by Media,” she also has a published case as co-counsel
with Lambda Legal (2008) which benefitted gays and lesbians. She is a monthly contributor
of Poetry for the LN. Ms. Birmingham practices Estate Planning and Serious Personal
Injury at Long Beach Law, Inc. and is working on a book of essays about the practice.
Nat Burns is a professional writer and editor who retired from an editorial systems career
in Virginia to relocate to New Mexico. She is an award-winning author and journalist and
a book editor for several publishers. Burns has published eight novels to date and her work
has appeared in more than thirty anthologies. She has worked for this magazine for six
years and is a proud grandmother.
Carl Matthes is the current president of UGLA, Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance, an
organization providing a support system for gay men, lesbians and education for individuals
and the community He is a columnist on the Lesbian News, owned and published by his
sister, Ella and her wife Gladi. He was editor of the GLAAD/newsletter, and a GLAAD/LA
representative on the Board.In July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his
partner of 48 years, by Los Angels City Councilmember Jose Huizar. It was a unique gay/
lesbian double ceremony as Carl’s sister Ella and her partner Gladi were also married by
Jose.
Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University
and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: PilotGodless- 2010- 2012. CD- Spoken Word 2005. Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004
.Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts- Law & Order, The Practice, Cold Case, CSI
Las Vegas.
Robin Tyler is a pioneer activist in the LGBT community. In the 1970’s, she became the
first ‘out’ lesbian or gay comic on television, albums and in concert.
In addition to 25 Women’s Music and Comedy Festivals , Robin produced the main stages
for 3 od of the LGBT Marches on Washington.. Robin and her wife, Diane Olson, were the
first lesbian plaintiffs to file the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to California and
were the first to marry in Los Angeles County.
Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her Wifey for 25 years. They live in
Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian
News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best
magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies
at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV! And
makes art out of old buttons.
Shawn Ryan is a lot of things. He’s an Actor/Singer/Writer/Director and Camp
Director but fancies himself a Dancer/Poet/Lyrical Savant/Brother/Son/and
Terrific Husband. His greatest wish is that someday Barbara Walters will come
out of retirement and make him cry on ABC. He lives in a state of adoring bliss
with his husband, actor John Ainsworth, and their furry children, Mr Kitty and
Gazpacho the Chihuahua. It seems as though things couldn’t get much better, but
day by day, they to do. Follow him on www.Shawn-Ryan.com
Sherron Mills, N.P. has been a lesbian health care practitioner and activist for many
years. In 1980 she co-founded Lyon-Martin Women’s Health Services, the country’s first
non-profit clinic to serve the lesbian community. She then went on in 1984 to launch Pacific
Reproductive Services to provide sperm bank, fertility and insemination services primarily
to lesbians. Knowing that many of her clients would greatly value the opportunity for their
children to meet their sperm donors, should they wish to do so, she was an early pioneer in
recruiting men who would contractually agree to meet a child at least once after he or she
reaches 18. As a result, PRS today has more “willing to be known” sperm donors than any
other U.S. sperm bank.
Stephanie Papadakis is originally from southern California. Stephanie knew she
wanted to live in San Francisco from the age of 10 (but had no clue she liked women).
When she’s not working at a lesbian travel company in SF, she spends her time cooking
delicious paleo meals, climbing rugged mountains, exercising daily, researching random
trivia knowledge, making “dream lists” on Airbnb and planning day-, weekend- and weeklong dates with her partner, Sara.
Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic
Director of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for
over two decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces
and expands jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for
major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director
for the Educational Theatre Institute. Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite – freelance writing. Early on she
was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions.
After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as
VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many
venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the
LGBT cause.
Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the
country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or
visit her web site at www.astrologervic.com
April 2016
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CONTENTS
COVER STORY
SAMANTHA RONSON
One of the hottest celebrity DJ’s who can
throw it down.
By Michel Khordoc
INSIDE LN
HOTSPOTS
Spring for all these great
Hotspots.
POETRY
FEATURES
Politically Speaking
Bride Pride Sets Out To Grab Guinness World Record
For Largest Lesbian Wedding On Planet
Brussels
Last Word
FEMASTROLOGY
By Robin Tyler
April starts out with relative calm;
a brief oasis after the tense solar
and lunar eclipses in March.
BOOKS
Loving Eleanor
My friend Pat and I have been best friends for 50 years.
LIFESTYLES
Movies Eye C
It is not over until the lefties sing
By John Esther
Notes from Nat
Follow Us Online
LESBIANNEWS.COM
Let us know what
you think.
The beautiful Brits have it again this month
By Nat Burns
Travel
It’s more beautiful and exciting than you can even imagine
By Stephanie Papadakis
COLUMNS
Words That Make Sense
Lonely? You don’t have to be...read on.
By Toni Hart
Living Out
Tax time is the no fun time around our house as we dig for
deduction.
By Sally Sheklow
Positive Reflections
Taking time for yourself is great unless all hell breaks loose
while doing it.
By Dian Katz, MS
Queerly Questioning
The unfed love that I have for her doesn’t ache like a pang of
hunger nor irritate like the discomfort of thirst.
By Juno Parrenas, PhD
Gay USA
Watch the Gay USA Video.
Theorhetorically Speaking
When color divides a nation is at civil war.
By Nikki McCauley
CELEBRITY DJ
SAMANTHA RONSON
Set To Spin At The Legendary Club Skirts
Dinah Shore Weekend
| By Michel Khordoc
C
elebrity
DJ
S a m a n t h a
Ronson is about
to tear the decks
at the biggest
lesbian event in
the planet of its kind: The Dinah.
Shore Weekend, has confirmed
that The Dinah 2016 (March 30
– April 3) will feature one of the
most respected and best-known
DJs in the lesbian community as
Samantha Ronson guest-deejays
the event.
She’s selling out clubs around the
world and has become celebrities’
“it” girl when it comes to putting
the needle on the hottest records
and keeping the beat going at
their private parties. Samantha
Ronson is one female DJ who can
seriously throw it down.
“Samantha Ronson is one of the
premiere celebrity DJ’s, but she’s
also the real deal. Our crowd is
going to be blown away at her
talent, energy and presence. I’ve
wanted to book her for years so
for me, it’s an extra bonus that I
am finally able to headline her at
The Dinah,” comments Hanson.
Mariah Hanson, founder and
producer of Club Skirts Dinah
Making a music career as a
professional DJ was never
farfetched for the London native.
Samantha Ronson comes from
a significant artistic lineage.
Her stepdad is Mick Jones, the
legendary guitarist of the iconic
rock band Foreigner; her brother,
Mark Ronson, is a Grammy
Award-winning
producer
famously credited with making
Amy Winehouse a household
name; and her sister is a famous
fashion designer. With plenty of talent to go around
in her family, the Venice-based
artist holds her own DJing the
biggest parties and clubs all
around the world. Her electrifying
live set will leave you wanting
more as she pushes her sound,
along with the crowd to the limit.
heavily male-dominated industry,
and carries now a professional
dossier that certifiably rivals
some of her better-known male
DJ counterparts.
Ask the likes of Stevie Wonder,
Ellen DeGeneres, Nicole Richie,
Natalie Portman, Jay-Z, and
Lionel Richie, to name a few, who
solicited Ronson’s extraordinary
DJ chops.
Ronson has spun live for MTV’s
New Year’s Eve show from
the network’s studios in Times
Square, as well as at the Super
Bowl, Pan American Games,
Sundance, Cannes Film Festival,
the VMA’s and AMA’s (among
others) and has helped push the
music scene forward, perpetuating
the growing movement of women
behind the decks.
What an accomplishment for
someone who fell into DJing by
chance.
With
her finger on the pulse of today’s
hottest tracts, she’s quickly
risen through the ranks in this
Next to DJing, Ronson also
enjoys a passion for singing. In
2003, she became the first rock
act to be signed to rapper Jay-Z’s
label, Roc-A-Fella Records. She
released a handful of songs with
Roc-A-Fella - one of which was
featured in the cult-classic film
“Mean Girls.”
Whether it is DJing or dabbling
in other creative fields, Ronson
hardly ever stops.
Today
she continues to work her
magic on the dance floor and to
bring something different to the
turntables.
For More Information go to:
www.thedinah.com
Travel
From Sea to Sky:
Whistler’s Winter Wonderland
| By Stephanie Papadakis
W
h i s t l e r ’s
breathtaking
beauty
is
magnificent
in all seasons,
but it is particularly majestic in
winter. A mere 84 miles from
Vancouver International Airport,
the scenic drive along the Sea to
Sky Highway is stunning enough
to make the trip alone. The road
meanders through thick rainforest
along the coast, mere feet from the
water, mountains towering high
above with jagged limestone faces
peering down below. As the road
takes you away from the water
and into the valley, thick ancient
glaciers come into view, and your
heart begins pounding as you get
closer to your destination.
On a clear day, you’ll be
surrounded by mountains and ski
enthusiasts as soon as you hop
off the airport shuttle in Whistler
Village; however, the day we
arrived, it was socked in with
clouds (which didn’t lift until the
morning we left – only then could
we truly appreciate the beauty of
the Coast Mountain Range). The
less than 2-hour flight and driving
time had gotten us to our hotel, the
Cascade Lodge, by 11:30 A.M., so
we dropped off our luggage and
set out to explore the village.
THE VILLAGE
Located at the base of Whistler
Mountain, Whistler Village sits
just above 2,000 feet, so when it’s
snowing in the alpine, it’s raining
down below. For as small as the
village is – walking time from end
to end is about 15 minutes – it sure
boasts a big personality. Cruising
through you’ll see everything
from high end restaurants to local
cafés, après bars and nightclubs,
expensive ski boutiques and
kitschy Canadian general stores,
two grocery stores, and the BC
Liquor Store (important if you want
to après on your own). Given that
Whistler is rated the #1 ski resort
in North America, officially called
Whistler Blackcomb because
it consists of two mountains,
Whistler and Blackcomb, there
is also Blackcomb Village, at the
base of Blackcomb Mountain. It
is much smaller, and houses just a
few shops and restaurants.
That day, we ended up dining for
lunch at Stonesedge, a spot you
could really miss if you hadn’t
researched “Best Restaurants
in Whistler” for hours on end.
Everything was made in-house
and from scratch, as is most all
food in Whistler. Of particular
note was the Montréal reuben
with bison, the winter salad with
butternut squash, beets, maple
roasted sunflower seeds and cider
vinaigrette, and the warm beer and
cheddar cheese dip (’nuff said).
to food, but seriously, the food is
really good). Restaurants source
their produce and meat from local
farms, and make many sauces and
breads in-house. In addition, most
beer and wine on menus are from
British Columbia, which makes
for a great pairing with the local
food.
THE FOOD
Araxi is rated Whistler’s best
restaurant, and serves food till 1
AM. Inside is a great oyster bar
that serves $1 oysters and cheese
fondue during après, which, if
you are a fan of both, you can’t go
wrong there. The best part about
On that note, the food in Whistler
is some of the most inventive on
the West Coast (coming from San
Francisco, I’m certainly more
spoiled than most when it comes
this spot is the service – if you
have trouble making up your mind
like my partner and I do, you’re in
great hands.
Barefoot Bistro is another eatery
that is consistently rated in the top
three. We stopped by for an après
of champagne, oysters and truffle
fries. Had it been just a wee bit later,
we probably would’ve stopped
by the Ketel One Ice Room for a
vodka tasting. This is the coldest
bar in Canada, clocking in a minus
45 degrees Celsius. Don’t worry,
they give you a very warm parka
while you’re inside.
If you’re in the mood for sushi,
Whistler has plenty of it. We
dined at Sushi Village which, even
though it was a 1.5 hour wait,
was totally worth it. Given the
exchange rate, it was pretty cheap
for sushi (it clocked in at under
$60 USD total) and the fish was
sustainable and very fresh. While
we were waiting, we went to get
a poutine hot dog at Beavertails™
so that’s likely why it was cheaper
than we thought it would be.
Our favorite restaurant, hands
down, was Alta Bistro, located
in the Pinnacle Hotel. Small and
a little off the beaten path (but
directly across the street from
our hotel), this spot is serving up
inventive cuisine with great-sized
portions. Our favorite meal of the
week was from here, a venison loin
with scallops and shaved truffles.
And not just grated, SHAVED.
Like chunks of truffles. A food
coma definitely happened after
eating that decadence.
TIP: If you stay in a hotel with a
refrigerator, it’s easy to buy things
to make for breakfast and lunch,
then you have a little extra money
to splurge on for dinner.
THE SKIING
and have personalized instruction.
Most people come to Whistler to
ski so my partner, who is an avid
skier, always dreamed of going.
In fact, we got a great deal to
come – 5-nights lodging, 3-day
lift ticket, and 1 day of heli-skiing
all for $1,000 per person (heliskiing alone is normally $1,500
per person). Both Whistler and
Blackcomb have terrain for all
levels, which was great for me
because I’m not quite a beginner
but not quite intermediate, either.
Ski instructors also teach lessons
with a max of four people so you’ll
always be able to find your level
My partner went off on a private
lesson so she could learn the
mountain, and I headed over to the
base of Blackcomb for my group
lesson. Marcel was my instructor,
an incredible 73 year-old Swiss
gentlemen with a zest for life I’ve
never seen before. I skied with him
for two days, smiling even when
I fell hard, and became a better
skier with him as my guide. One
the second afternoon, we après’d
together at Merlin’s, drinking
beers and cheersing to life.
On the third day of skiing, after
my partner’s heli-skiing adventure
was twice canceled (and was
canceled a third time so that
means we’ll be going back soon),
we skied Blackcomb together. We
first stopped at Crystal Hut – a tiny
hut at 7,500 feet and voted one of
the top 10 by Sunset Magazine –
to get waffles and buffalo stew.
It’s worth the wait…and the cat
fighting for seats!
The best part about being able to
ski two mountains is that once
you get to mid-mountain on one,
you don’t have to go back down
to the base to go to the next one.
the most trying ride of our lives.
However, as hard as it is, I highly
recommend it if you want a good
workout…or even if you want to
have a lot of fun.
If you want to relax, Scandinave
Spa offers a quiet place to rest
and rejuvenate after many days of
skiing. A Scandinavian spa, there
are a serious of hydrotherapy
pools in which to warm up and
cool off, as well as saunas and
steam rooms to sweat. To make it
extra memorable, book yourself a
massage, or a couples massage if
you’re with a special someone, to
work out those sore muscles.
The Peak2Peak™ gondola is the
world’s longest free suspension
at 1.88 miles. It’s a 22-minute
ride that crosses over the river
that hydro power’s all of Whistler
Blackcomb. Once you get off at
Whistler, the only way to the base
is down the mountain, which is
about a 3-mile ride. Just make
sure you read the signs; we took a
wrong turn, ending up in Creekside
and having to take a bus back with
all of our equipment.
OTHER FUN &
THINGS TO DO
ACTIVE
If you don’t like to ski, there are
plenty of other things to do in
Whistler. Just walking around
the resort is beautiful. There are
hiking trails all along the base
of the mountain range, and there
are plenty of sport shops that
rent snowshoes to grip the slush.
There’s also an ice skating rink
in the Olympic Village, equipped
with the Olympic rings in the
background, so you can get your
exercise on there, too.
My partner and I are bikers, so
one day we decided to rent fat
bikes – bikes with 3.75 inch tires
that grip in snow. We happened to
go during a rainstorm, so all the
snow had to turned to slush and
was incredible difficult to ride
through. It was so hard we could
only ride for 30 seconds before
falling on the ground (and since it
was slush, it didn’t hurt at all). It
took us 1.5 hours to bike 4 miles,
Even though we packed a lot in
this vacation, six days seemed
like a very short amount of time
to explore it all. We even woke up
at 6 A.M the morning we left for
Fresh Tracks breakfast on top of
Whistler Mountain so we could
get, you guessed it, fresh tracks. I
know for sure we’ll be back to see
everything we didn’t see and, who
knows, maybe we’ll get married
here.
Author’s
note:
I
couldn’t
recommend Whistler enough.
Not only is it beautiful, it’s also a
wonderful place to get engaged –
my partner surprised me with a
ring here!
Debuts April 26, 2016 across
all digital platforms.
Words That make sense
All You Need Is -- One Good One
| By Toni Hart
M
ost of us like to
be surrounded by
friends....lots of
them. I’ll admit,
that having a bevy
of friends around is a delightful
treat. However, as we age, friends
move away, pass away and
sometimes we find other friends
we would rather hang out with.
Some become virtual hermits and
no longer like to get together at all.
As our youth slips away, it may be
too much trouble to dress up, put
on make up and galavant about
the town. This hurts, that hurts,
walking becomes difficult and
it’s just easier to just play on the
computer, watch tv or read a book.
Often, it’s too much of an effort
to do much of anything. As for
getting anywhere, many no longer
can or care to drive and have to
find a kind soul willing to give
then transportation.
Hopefully, you are one of the
ambitious ones who still like to
mingle and get out with your BFF’s
and have lunch and a martini now
and then. If yours is a group gettogether, the more the merrier. You
enjoy the camaraderie and food is
just an excuse to get together and
enjoy each other.
If you are 50 or over, you may have
heard of the “Red Hat Society.”
This jolly gathering of ladies has
spread from a small start in the late
1990s to over a million women
all over the globe. It is based
on the Jenny Joseph poem that
begins...”When I am old...,” and
goes on to relate how advancing
age can release a lot of fun if done
correctly. There’s no fund raising only “fun raising.” If you go to the
link “Red Hat Society.com” you
can find out all about it and how to
join and/or form your own group.
You can even choose to be the
“Queen”....how does that sound?
Royalty at last!
The important point here is
to avoid becoming a hermit.
Once you are on that path, it’s
sometimes difficult to get up and
out. Hey! There are opportunities
for groups everywhere. Check
your newspaper or the computer
and look in the society or
entertainment section for things
that you’re interested in. You can
find book clubs nearby, sewing
groups, garden clubs, political
groups or just get together clubs
such as “Monday Morning clubs”
and the like. Check out the Sunday
paper for more on this subject.
Another great app that I just heard
about is “Meetup.” Google this
one and you won’t believe all the
great categories available for you.
First choose a convenient area
from your home. Traveling within
or nearby your neighborhood is a
great plus. You can then choose
whatever you desire to associated
with, from lifestyle choices,
sports, books, crafts, yoga,
meditation groups and so on. You
can also choose the age group that
is close to your own. Always fun
to meet people close to your own
vintage. These groups usually
meet in places where you will
feel comfortable. If the first group
doesn’t do it for you, keep trying
other groups until you find just the
mix that you enjoy. You can even
start your own group..just the way
you like it.
So don’t sit home and vegetate....
get out and enjoy the world..your
way.
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Vendange Carmel Inn
| By
Lillian Jensen
V
endange is the
perfect
getaway
destination located
in the village of
Carmel-by-theSea. It is the first wine themed
Inn in all of Carmel and Monterey.
Each room is named after a local
winery. These partnered wineries
design their own rooms in their
own creative manner, providing
guests with a memorable and
fun experience. Carmel Beach,
has exquisite shops, world class
restaurants and beautiful beaches.
You’ll see what makes Vendange
a once in a lifetime stay. Their
gardens, the grand pergola,
drinking a glass of wine around the
fire pit, or stopping by the lobby
for nightly hors d’oeuvres, will
make your trip more memorable.
There are 18 rooms in the Inn
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QUEERLY
QUESTIONING
Polyamory versus
Monogamy, revisited
| By Juno Parreñas, PhD
I
f the place of love in our
brains is located near thirst
and hunger, what happens
to the sensation of love
that cannot be quenched or
satiated?
I saw her again. Nearly nine years
ago, we stood in the pre-dawn
cold at a train station, foreheads
gently pressing against each
other, hands in hands, parting
goodbye. Unsure when we would
ever share the same space and
time again, she whispered to me
that life is long. Four years ago,
after an absence of five years,
we reconnected. Rekindling a
flame is not the right phrase to
describe what that was, because
it was always ever present. She
knew that I loved her, because I
told her so, in person and in print
in my last article on the subject,
“Polyamory versus Monogamy”
in the October 2012 issue of the
LN. Beyond words spoken in the
flesh and printed on the page, she
could feel for herself how right it
was between us.
Yet the physical manifestation
of that connection could only
be short lived. It was not just
her partner’s ultimatum. It was
also her: she did not want to be
secondary to my primary life
partner. All of my words about the
enduring strength of polyamorous
love because of its pliability and
resilience did not convince her
to expand beyond the confines of
monogamy with her partner.
Three years later, we have eased
into thinking of our bodily
connection in the past tense, with
the prefix of ex-. I am struck
by how much I want our carnal
sensations to have a future tense
and yet I am equally struck that
I continue to find pleasure in
spending time with her even when
that future may never come. The
ambiguous space that I wish to
occupy between friend and lover
means enduring the vulnerability
of being available for her when
she is willing to change the
circumstances of our connection.
My love for her remains resilient,
as does the resilience of my
primary relationship. Yet the
unfed love that I have for her
doesn’t ache like a pang of hunger
nor irritate like the discomfort
of thirst. Her voice, her scent,
her presence, and the vision
of her continue to charm me.
Connecting with her and sharing
presence, even without touch,
remains meaningful. And she
tells me she that feels the same
meaningfulness that I feel.
As enchanted as I may feel, or she
may even feel, I am all too aware
of the reality for us both and for
the lives that we have built with
our respective spouses. We are
all bound with new confines and
demands on our time that we could
not have foreseen years ago. I
find myself monogamous, not by
choice but by default. Devotion to
building my career has meant that
desires of the flesh occupy the
lowest rung of my life priorities
and goals. The misanthropic
introvert in me can’t be bothered
to pursue new lovers. The stability
of my primary relationship makes
people jump to conclusions that I
am taken, but what takes me is not
my partner, but my work. Have I
become too busy to be poly?
Work is pleasure for me, luckily.
However, it’s a pleasure that
grows new appetites while
suppressing other hungers. Yet I
know, she knows, and my spouse
knows, that my love endures even
as it remains insatiate.
© Syda Productions | Dreamstime.com - Close up of happy lesbian couple hugging at home
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POSITIVE REFLECTIONS
Take Time For Yourself
| By Dian Katz, MS
I
am the kind of person to whom
the strangest things happen.
Or maybe they’re not quite so
strange, but....just downright
irritating! Several of these
occasions have occurred when I
have gone to movie theaters. I don’t
know what it is about me and the
cine’ but I seem to attract certain
people and situations around me
when I go there to relax and watch
a good flick!
let go of work stress and the day
to day grind. I really delight in
being completely engrossed in a
movie, munching on my popcorn
(quietly not to disturb anyone)
and enjoying a good companion’s
company. So, I get comfy in my
seat and kick back to relax with
my friend. I let out a huge sigh...
ahhhh, finally the weekend and I
don’t have a care in the world for
two hours!
Usually, on Fridays, I go to the
movies to unwind after a long
week. The theater has always been
one of my favorite places to go to
I sit there adjusting my seat the
way I want it (you can lean back
in them slightly), put my popcorn
on my lap and make sure my
water is in the little armrest hole.
I am now ready for the movie!!
Hurray!! What’s this? A man
and his wife and about 5 kids, sit
down next to me in my row. The
kids are all giggling and talking
loudly. Ugh. They just better not
talk during the movie! I work with
children all week long so I need a
little down time....puleassse. The
movie hasn’t started yet, so surely
they will chill out when it does.
And luckily, I am sitting next to
the father so I have some distance
between me and the noisy kids.
The theater is now packed so
changing our seats is no longer an
option. I glance over my shoulder
at the family (making it look like
I have an itch), when what I really
want to do is check out the kids
to see if they are being quiet. I
notice the whole family now has
popcorn, drinks, candy, hotdogs
and who knows what else! What
did they do, buy out the whole
concession stand??? Seriously?
You are supposed to have a snack,
not a 5 course meal!!!! Whatever,
not my business. Right?
The previews begin and thankfully,
the kids stop talking. Thank gawd!
Phew! It’s going to be okay.
Ahhhhh! I can finally just kick
back and take a nice deep breath.
::::::crunch::::::::crunch:::::::::cru
nch:::::::: What is that noise????
crunch:::::::::crunch::::::::::crun
ch:::::::: Oh hell no!!! It’s not the
children making noise but the
FATHER making loud chewing
noises with his popcorn!!!! And
we are not talking normal chewing
noises. We are talking LOUD
chewing, like someone eating
a bowl of dry granola with lots
of nuts!!!! His hand is scooping
handfuls of popcorn out of his tub
and shoveling it in his mouth as
if he had not seen food in a long
while!
Focus Dian, focus. Ignore
the
sounds.
::::::crunch::::::
crunch:::::::crunch:::::: I can see
his hand scooping like one of
those tractor bulldozers!!! SLOW
DOWN DUDE!!!!!:::::crunch:::::
:::crunch:::::::::crunch:::::: Watch
the movie Dian. Focus, I tell myself
again. I CAN’T FOCUS WITH
THAT DAMN CRUNCHING
GOING ON!!@&!! Somebody
make him stop!! Please, make
him close his mouth when he
chews!$@! After about 30 minutes
of army troops marching through
the woods, he finally finishes the
tub of popcorn! Oh thank God!!!
At last, I sigh with relief! My eyes
are now glued to the screen where
they should be.
:::::::SMACK:::::::SMACK:::::
SMACK:::::::: WHAT IS THAT
NOISE!!!!!!! I look over at the
man and he is now sucking off
each finger!!! Then he sucks on
some wet paper napkin sucking up
the water or something followed
by trying to brush his teeth with
his finger!!!$@&! :::::::::SMACK
SQUEEK - SUCK:::::::: SMACK
SQUEEK - SUCK:::::::: You gotta
be F**KING kidding me!!!$@!&
NO! NO! NO!! He sounds like
a pair of wet rubber rain boots
walking on a wooden floor. At
this moment, my fingers dig
into the arm rests ripping out the
stuffing. I have pulled out every
strand of hair on my head and
will be leaving this theater bald!
Now look, I have the patience of
a saint but this guy has pushed me
beyond my threshold!! He has to
be THE most annoying man on
the planet!@!&!! “Calm down
Dian. He’s totally irritating but
just watch the movie,” my friend
whispers. Easy for her to say.
She’s not sitting next to Mr. Sucker
Fish, Lip Smacking Bulldozer,
Squeaky Toy!&@!!! After about
ten agonizing minutes of listening
to his personal hygiene, he finally
stops. Oh YES!! At last! Ahhh....
you here that? Only the sound of
the movie playing. Hallelujah!! I
am so fricken happy I could shout
from the rooftops. Relaxing back
into my chair and watching the
movie.
He’s leaning over... No don’t do
that sir!! No pleeeease don’t!! I
am begging you DON’T!!!! He’s
doing it!! He’s grabbing it!!!
NOOOOOOOOO he didn’t!!!!
Yes he did!!!! HE GRABBED
THE
POPCORN
TUB
AGAIN!!!! :::::::::CRUNCH:::::::
CRUNCH::::::::CRUNCH:::::::::
Somebody save me!!!! I tell my
friend, stop me!! Hold me back
because I am so going to stab him
with my soda straw!!! Either that
or poke my own eye out!!! This
pattern of crunching, lip smacking,
squeaking goes on forever and I
have aged 30 years in 30 minutes!!!
3/4’s of the way through the movie,
he is done! Finally after popcorn
crunching, finger sucking, lip
smacking, squeaky brushing, the
guy is truly done and laughing
at the punchlines in the movie! I
on the other hand, look rode hard
and put away wet!! My hair is
disheveled, sweat is dripping off
my brow, my fingers are bloody
from digging and my armpits are
wet!!!!$&@ I look like BroomHilda on a good day!
But at least now I can FINALLY
watch the tail end of the movie!
I can FINALLY be at peace
because his large sized popcorn
tub is empty on the floor along
with all their empty wrappers.
Well at least one would THINK I
could finally be at peace right???
That is until I overheard him stage
whispering to his wife... “Honey,
I think I will go downstairs and
get a refill on the popcorn.”
Oh no. What’s he doing? Oh no!!!
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MOVIES EYE C
It is not over until
the lefties sing.
J
ust when you thought
you were done with the
awards for best films of
2015, along come the
Progies. Awarded by
the James Agee Critics Circle,
the Progies essentially, or, at least
theoretically, recognize the best
progressive films by a bunch of
left of center film critics, historians
and scholars.
Not surprisingly, many of these
films were overlooked or altogether
ignored by the reactionary, usually
heteronormative, largely male
(over 70 percent) and extremely
white (over 90 percent) bourgeois
voters of the Motion Picture
Academy. The 9th annual version
of the Progies praised Sean
Baker’s Tangerine, appreciated
Cate Blanchett in Carol, and had
a lot more praise to for other films
focusing on women and people of
color.
Here is the full list of the 9th Progie
nominees and winners:
The Trumbo for Best Progressive
Picture:
Winner: Experimenter
Other nominees:
The Big Short
Concussion
Spotlight
Trumbo
The Karen Morley Award for
| By John Esther
Best Actress:
Winner: Cate Blanchett, Carol
Other nominees:
Sakura Ando, 100 Yen Love
Arielle Holmes, Heaven Knows
What
Sarah Silverman, I Smile Back
Lily Tomlin, Grandma
The Paul Newman Award for
Best Actor: Winners: Bryan
Cranston, Trumbo; Peter
Sarsgaard, Experimenter (tie)
Other nominees:
Steve Carell, The Big Short
Ian McKellen, Mr. Holmes
Mark Ruffalo, Spotlight
The Renoir Award for Best AntiWar Film:
Winner: A War
Other nominees:
Bridge of Spies
Sicario
Son of Saul
Where to Invade Next
The Gillo Award for Best
Progressive Foreign Film:
Winner: A Pigeon Sat on a Branch
Reflecting on Existence (Sweden)
Other nominees:
The Brand New
Testament (Belgium)
The Club (Chile)
Embrace of the
Serpent (Columbia)
Mustang (France)
Son of Saul (Hungary)
The Dziga Award for Best
Progressive Documentary:
Winner: The Hunting Ground
Other nominees:
A Gay Girl in Damascus: The
Amina Profile
Best of Enemies
Finders Keepers
Going Clear: Scientology and the
Prison of Belief
Welcome to Leith
Where to Invade Next
The Daily Bread Award for Best
Film about the Working Class:
Winner: Jimmy’s Hall
Other nominees:
Brooklyn
Straight Outta Compton
Suffragette
Tangerine
The Robeson Award for Best
Portrayal of People of Color:
Winner: Tangerine
Other nominees:
Concussion
Dope
Embrace of the Serpent
Straight Outta Compton
The Bunuel Award for Most
Slyly Subversive Film:
Winner: The Big Short
Other nominees:
Anomalisa
The Brand New Testament
A Pigeon Sat on a Branch
Reflecting on Existence
Spy
Where to Invade Next
The Pasolini Award for Best
LGBTQA Film:
Winner: Carol
Other nominees:
The D Train
The Danish Girl
Grandma
Tangerine
The Conformist Award for Best
Anti-Fascist Film:
Winner: The Look of Silence
Other nominees:
Beasts of No Nation
Best of Enemies
Labyrinth of Lies
Son of Saul
The Stanford Prison Experiment
Straight Outta Compton
The Marianne and Juliane
Award for Best Feminist Film:
Winner: Suffragette
Other nominees:
Carol
The Diary of a Teenage Girl
Grandma
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mustang
Spy
The Sergei Award for Lifetime
Progressive Achievement:
Winner: Haskell Wexler
Other nominees:
Danny Glover
Michael Moore
Susan Sarandon
Lily Tomlin
Politically Speaking
Bride Pride Sets Out To Grab
Guinness World Record For Largest
Lesbian Wedding On Planet
O
n October 15,
2016, women from
all over the planet
will converge on
Provincetown with
a singular intention – to marry
at Bride Pride, a group wedding
scheduled during Provincetown’s
legendary Women’s Week, now in
its 32nd year.
According to Allison Baldwin
and Ilene Mitnick, Bride Pride
organizers and owners of the
award-winning Roux Bed and
Breakfast property where the
wedding will be held, “If there
are at least 100 couples, the brides
will become part of recorded
history.” The duo has applied to
Guinness Book of World Records
in an effort to capture the title
for “World’s Largest Lesbian
Wedding.” “Provincetown is filled
with stories of love, equality and
adventure and it’s meant to be
shared with lovers,” said Mitnick.
Award-winning political humorist
and LGBTQ icon Kate “Mad
Vow” Clinton will per- form the
nuptials. “Nothing says World’s
Largest Lesbian Wedding like
Provincetown and I’m thrilled to
be a part of it,” said Clinton.
After the ceremony, the whole
town will turn into a party for the
newlyweds as they join thousands
of women in hundreds of events
planned for Women’s Week. “It’s
the perfect backdrop for a wedding.
We wanted to create an amazing
experience at a fraction of the cost
of a traditional wedding. It will
be the coolest wedding setup ever
with events lead- ing up to and
following the event and, oh, the
whole planet is invited,” Baldwin
said.
Provincetown Director of Tourism
Tony Fucillo said, “Events like
Bride Pride remind us all of another
great day (June 26, 2013) when the
LGBT community filled the streets
across the country to celebrate
the defeat of DOMA (Defense
of Marriage Act). What bet- ter
place to celebrate LGBT marriage
equality than Provincetown - the
‘Best Gay and Lesbian Resort
Town in America, ‘ according to
GayCities.com?
In honor of those who will marry at
Bride Pride, Baldwin and Mitnick
will be making a contribution to
GLAD. “We want to thank GLAD
both for the work they’ve done
to make a day like this possible, as
well as to support the battles they
still wage on a daily basis for our
equality,” said Baldwin.
This epic event will take place
on the beautiful grounds of Roux
Bed and Breakfast locat- ed at 210
Bradford Street, Provincetown,
MA at 11 a.m. on October 15, 2016
Advance registration for Bride
Pride is required. Please visit
http://www.rouxprovincetown.
com/bride-pride for additional
information.
For more information or to book a
stay at Roux Provincetown, please
visit www.roux-provincetown.
com.
Photos/Graphics accompanying
this release are available at:
http://www.rouxprovincetown.
com/media
About Roux
Roux Provincetown is a unique
bed and breakfast located in
the East End Gallery district of
Provincetown,
Massachusetts
whose owners share a love of
art, music, and cuisine. After a
4-month and 11-day renovation,
the inn opened its doors July,
2014. Roux was awarded Boston
Magazine’s Best of Boston title
for 2015 Best Inn on Cape Cod,
and is consistently ranked among
the top Provincetown B&Bs on
Trip Advisor. Innkeepers, Allison Baldwin and Ilene Mitnick,
strive to create an enchanting
environment where guests can
experience “The Art of Staying.”
POETRY
Brussels
| By Morag Hillsinger
your bomb
your statement
civilization and
decent humans
blown from their shoes.
make no mistake
your god has
two horns and a tail.
© Margaritavasina | Dreamstime.com
Notes From Nat
Powerful, well-trained singers, Jess
and Leona, easily bring us the best
of the British Isles
S
pring is in the air and my
garden is blossoming
with colorful, bobbing
joy. To balance things
out a bit, I bring you two
very powerful summery voices
this month. These two pop stars
are far from shy crocuses peeking
out tentatively to see the world;
they are more like big beautiful
bougainvillea, spreading thorny
beauty out in all directions.
First up is Leona Lewis. After
winning X Factor, the UK
television music competition, in
December of 2006, this British
singer/songwriter
immediately
signed with Simon Cowell’s
label, Syco Music. With Cowell’s
encouragement, she changed labels
as she moved up the ladder of
success and this past year, released
her fifth studio album, titled I Am.
She will be touring that album this
year.
Lewis was formally trained in
opera, jazz and blues before
devoting herself to popular music.
This may have been what helped
put her debut album, Spirit, on
the map and sealed her status as
a rising musical star. She was
named as the top new artist by
Billboard magazine in 2008. In
addition, Lewis has gained seven
BRIT Award nominations, three
Grammy Award nominations,
and the quadruple-platinum hit
“Bleeding Love” was the bestselling US digital song of 2008.
Interesting tidbit—Lewis’s cover
of Kelly Clarkson’s song, “A
Moment Like This” released in
2006, set a new world record when
| By Nat Burns
it was downloaded digitally more
than fifty-thousand times in less
than thirty minutes.
and Scotland and in the top ten in
Australia, the Netherlands, Ireland,
and Italy. Most of the singles in
pre-release also moved up the UK
Among her many other accolades,
rungs to be number ones. Expect
Lewis made history by becoming
more from this amazing performer.
the first UK female solo artist to
debut number one on the Billboard Sheer power! “Take me Home”—
Top 200. To celebrate the release
of I Am, Lewis launched an I Am Here’s “Hold my Hand”—
Empowered campaign, urging
fans to post their own tales of I think my favorite track on this
personal triumph, inspiration, album is “Rather Be”, with its Irish
and paying it forward using the tenor and lyrical melody. Also the
hashtag #iamempowered.
electronic dithering.
an awesome song The original “Rather Be”
your
enjoyment— video with Clean Bandit—
Under
My
Feet”
Here’s a great live version of
More? How about “Thunder”?
“Rather Be”— One nice thing
about this album is the variety.
©2015
Island
Records
There’s the upbeat tone of the
leonalewismusic.com/
aforementioned song but another,
Have you heard Jess Glynne’s called “Saddest Vanilla” is a slow,
recent release I Cry When I Laugh. jazzy ballad. Her voice is powerful
Really, I just adore this album. It’s and the songs she chooses perfectly
on all my players and even on my blend with and highlight that voice.
Amazon Echo stations. I mean,
Many of her critics say that she’s
it’s gotta get old someday, right? I
old school and not anything
dunno. It hasn’t yet.
unusual. I totally disagree. While
Though also born in the UK, following the strictures of popular
Glynne came to music a little later music, I still think she finds her
than Lewis, signing with Atlantic own unique voice and presence.
Records in 2013 after working
Okay, one more excellent
service industry jobs while she
video,
“Real
Love”—
studied music. And she’s all about
the music. And the voice. You
Enjoy!
won’t find her dancing half-naked
in her videos, depending on sex ©2015
Atlantic
Records
appeal for sales.
www.jessglynne.co.uk
Here’s
for
“Fire
This album, I Cry when I Laugh,
is her first studio album as she
finally steps out on her own,
without Clean Bandit behind her.
It peaked at number one in the UK
Maybe it’s time to write him off - and make this year’s returns far less taxing. And far more
rewarding. One of the finest accountants in town, with over 20 years of experience, Cathy
Wilson is the most accessible. And knows every individual tax return starts with the individual.
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The Last Word
My Family
| By Robin Tyler
O
n April 8 I will
turn 74. In 1962
when I was 20
years old , I
left Canada to
emigrate to the United States. I
had to sign a form on which I
swore:
l. I am not a prostitute
2. I am not a drug addict
3. I am not a homosexual
Of course, I signed it, moved to
New York, and after 3 days at
the ‘girls’ YWCA, found myself
walking along the streets of
New York, looking like a 12
year old boy carrying a suitcase.
I was picked up by some ‘Gay
Women’ (not lesbians yet) who
drove the streets of Greenwich
Village looking for homeless
gay youth. Of course, being
from Winnipeg and never having
been told terrible tales of what
could happen if you take a ride
with strangers, I hopped in. And
I got a home with ‘Big Gus’ in
her apartment at 305 W. 18th St.
I went to a drag ball that was
raided, got arrested for female
impersonation, called the press,
and made the news. I decided to
become a female impersonator
at the 82 club and I auditioned
doing my best Judy Garland.
(This was long before Victor/
Victoria).
And that is where I met Pat
Harrison, the gorgeous hi fashion
model who was to become my
lover, ½ of our comedy team,
Harrison & Tyler, and finally,
my best friend and family.
We have lived together for 53
years, and tomorrow Pat, who
turned 81 on March 19, goes
into the City Of Hope to have
a l cm. stage l malignant tumor
removed from her left breast.
In 2014 the law in California
changed to read that if women
have dense breasts, they must
be advised to go for an ultra
sound, as regular mammograms
may not pick up a tumor.
City of Hope has a 3 D
mammogram that I am sure
could spot an ant on Mars. So,
I suggested we go there and
they found it. Even though
it is so small, Pat will still
need radiation, but there is a
procedure where they can place
the radiation device in a balloon
and insert it during the operation
so you do not have to go back
every day for 4-6 weeks for
radiation treatment. I am telling
you this because most women
are not aware of this, nor of the
fact they should ask for an ultra
sound.
So, it has been over 50 years.
Diane, my wife, spent the day
picking up food that Pat will
eat after the procedure (out
patient) and other things we will
need. I have spent the past few
days learning how to take care
of Pat’s 2 cats and dog. Even
though we live together, every
animal has different needs. And
tomorrow is the big day.
I came from Canada with $300
in my pocket, knew no one in the
USA, but came because I was
out of the closet, and wanted
to meet others who were not
ashamed. Pat Harrison was a
totally out hi-fashioned model in
the 1960’s, who fought with the
gay male fashion designers who
wanted her to stay in the closet.
And we were destined to meet,
and go through life together in
various roles, finally ending up
as family. Thank goodness.
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Garden Grove, CA 92840
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Living Out
Clearing Out
| By Sally Sheklow
W
o r k i n g
work-fromhome
jobs,
I’m
always
working. Last
month in a workload lull Wifey
and I did our taxes, which really
means preparing them for our tax
preparer. Recently, my work lull
coincided with Wifey’s. A whole
no-work weekend together. Woohoo!
Wifey suggested we do something
fun, different, adventurous.
She got the flu.
She spent her free-time adventure
huddled under blankies on the
homo-sectional, watching TV,
napping and sipping the fluids I
kept shoving at her. She was no
fun.
Wifey too achy to play, I had
time on my hands. Like the avid
birder who sights a rare Bohemian
waxwing, I marveled at coming
face to face with the legendary
“it” we so rarely get around to. Til
now.
My desk!
This big honking metal monster
is my workstation. I’ve avoided
eye contact with the mounting
mountain of undealt-with detritus
that amasses as I scramble to meet
the demands of my demanding
jobs, squeezing in precious little
time to squeeze my main squeeze
when she gets home from her fulltime job. With Wifey in no-squeeze
mode, the daunting stacks became
surprisingly surmountable.
While she dozed to yet another
Broadway musical, I dug in.
One short kitchen trip removed
crusty cereal bowls, a dusty mug
– desiccated teabag still clinging
– and plates of ossified munchies.
I sorted mail, paid an outstanding
dermatologist
bill,
retrieved
my REI dividend notice and
magnetted it to the file cabinet. I
chucked an empty rubber cement
bottle, waxy spent-label sheets and
dehydrated highlighters. I shelved
books; found homes for wayward
paperclips, rubber bands and lip
balm; containerized pens, pencils,
scissors and ruler; filed receipts;
recycled to-do lists and “Please
call!” notes. I stashed my Rosie
the Riveter packing tape, dumped
a faded deck of angel cards and
salvaged my sun hat from behind
the monitor. (Yay, my sun hat!
My dermatologist will be doubly
pleased.)
I unrolled a rolled up “Love, Hate,
and The Law” map showing where
marriages like mine are legal
and which countries criminalize
homosexuality (76 countries!),
where I’d get life and where the
death penalty. Toss or keep this
eerily current relic?
I pitched it into the recycling
three times only to pull it back
out, weighing the professional
organizers’ mantra - is it helpful
or an encumbrance? The Supreme
Court’s June ruling on DOMA
could necessitate a revised map.
Archive this one? Not on my
desk. I tucked it into the storage
bin labeled “Our Long Struggle
for Equality” atop all my other
LGBTQ movement memorabilia
that proves Justice Alito wrongour abiding march toward justice
is NOT newer than the internet.
OK. All clear. Clean desk. Access
to my Oxford dictionary on its
swivel stand which now actually
swivels without unplugging my
desk lamp.
One slip of paper remained. Out
of all that accumulated chaos
emerged a little note, some writer’s
pearl of advice. Keep it? Helpful?
Or, encumbrance?
Gaaaah. You can see how my desk
ends up so terribly cluttered.
Maybe the note is prophetic: “1.
What does the main character
want most in the world? 2. What
is she willing to do to get it? 3.
What gets in her way?” I pinned it
to my bulletin board.
© Iakov Filimonov | Dreamstime.com - Woman cleaning at the office
BOOKS
| By
Susan Albert’s noval is both
biographical and historical
in nature. Not only will the
reader learn details of Lorena
Hickok’s intimate relationship
with Eleanor Roosevelt but will
discover much of the history
of the 1930’s and 40’s. As one
of the few female political
reporters Lorena worked for
the AP and was assigned to
cover Eleanor Roosevelt during
the political campaign of 1932.
Almost immediately the two
women became close friends
and lovers. Over the years they
Lillian Jensen
communicated daily by writing
letters to one another. This
story is set during the Great
Depression. Roosevelt’s New
Deal, and Second World War.
Much can be learned about
FDR, Eleanor, Lorena and the
horrorfic Great Depression.
The Roosevelts definitely had
separate and unique lives outside
their marriage. As First Lady
Eleanor searched for her own
identity and was tutored much
of the way by Lorena.
Both FDR and Eleanor shared
intimate relationships outside
of their marriage. I will leave it
at that. You will need to read for
yourself to learn what took place
constantly behind the scenes in
the Roosevelt White House.
Learning that Louis Howe press
secretary to FDR, actually coined
the phrase “there is nothing to
fear but fear itself” was startling
and shocking to me. I had always
attributed this quote to FDR. Its
strength and unifying nature
made Americans stand up to
war mongers.
© Irochka | Dreamstime.com
HOT SPOTS
| By Dian Katz, MS
A
pril showers bring
flowers, or Hotspots
or
something..
hahahah.. They also
bring shopping for
new rain boots, the Easter Bunny
for some, and lots of laughs at a
Hotspot near you. I’ll tell you what
else they bring... they can bring, oh
sorry. You know me!! Silly me!! I
can go on and on for hours telling
you what April showers can bring.
I don’t want to bore you. I actually
want to get you excited and pump
you up. But talking to you like this
isn’t doing it is it.. chuckling out
loud... Oh all right. I’ll stop and get
on with this month’s Hotspots...
GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS and
more GIRLS! If you are wanting
to attend a Hotspot that is really
crazy fun, how about one in the
city of lights??? We are talking
Vegas baby! DINAH VEGAS is
on this month April 29-May 1st.
The host hotels for the four day
extravaganza are Flamingo Resort
and The Linq. What can you
expect during these days? You can
lounge around the pool with plenty
of other gorgeous lesbos and sip
a cool one on a canopy bed. Or
maybe you would rather jump IN
the pool and show everyone what
a great swimmer you are <snort>.
If the whole pool and outdoor
mingling doesn’t do it for you,
there will be a plethora of dance
parties and great entertainment to
attend. Head over to the cocktail
parties, theme parties and so much
more. Sound like fun? Sound like
a sexy adventure? You’ve got that
right! La, dee da, ::::::: packing
my underwear::::::: Oh I’m sorry.
Did you see that I did that? My
bad. Bad Dian. Dian bad. I just
starting thinking about how fun
it would be and well, I pulled out
my suitcase. Okay, you don’t want
me to go any further with that
conversation. Fine! I will just go
play a slot machine alone! Sheesh!
Annnnnnnyway, for more info,:
dinahshoreweekend.com.
I mentioned a fabulous Hotspot
last month but in case you didn’t
catch it, I’d like to repeat it again.
YOU can have the opportunity
of a lifetime by attending the
MELISSA
ETHERIDGE
AND FRIENDS “ROCK THE
BOAT” CRUISE. Not only do
you get to see Melissa entertain
you on this all women cruise but
you also get to see JOAN JETT
& THE BLACKHEARTS when
the ship ports. This incredible
event is happing on October 21
through November 5th from
Tampa Bay, Florida to Key West,
Florida & Cozumel, Mexico!!!!
Can you believe this??? I mean
seriously, who does this!!!! Well
apparently, you will if you book
your reservations now!! Heck, I
need to pack a few drumsets in
my luggage and pull them out on
the ship hahaha.. Ya think Melissa
will let me sit in for a song or two?
::::::::::::: BONK::::::::::: umph!
Trying to get another suitcase
down off my shelf. I need to start
packing for this trip. Ooops. I
forgot you didn’t want to hear
about what I do behind the scenes.
For more information, cruise over:
www.melissaetheridgecruise.
com.
This month the LOS ANGELES
LGBTQ CENTER will be
hosting 11TH ANNUAL SIMPLY
DIVINE on Saturday, April 9th.
At this terrific event, you will get
to “nibble on bites from some of
Los Angeles’ favorite restaurants,
and sip on samplers from
wineries, distilleries, breweries,
juicers, and roasters,” says Simply
Divine promoters. In Club VIP
Lounge, check out my drummer
buddy Denise Fraser performing
with her Trio. The girl has great
chops and you will surely enjoy
her entertainment. At McCadden
Place, dance your booty off from
6-9 with DJ Asha! This girl knows
how to rock the place. You’ll
love it! Also, Eric Newton will
be performing. A not-to-miss
performance. And to give you an
idea of some of the “nibble on
bites” they were talking about,
the food and beverage partners
include restaurants such as Ayara
Thai, The Black Cat, Border
Grill, Choctal, Connie and Ted’s,
Hudson House and soooooo many
more places! Yummy!!! Typing
all of these places is making me
awfully hungry. Yanno, I could
use a good meal right now. As
long as we are talking about food
how about... oh dear gawd! I am
soooooo very sorry. My bad. Dian
bad.. bad bad Dian. I just get lost
in the words and the thoughts and
the adventures as I explain these
things to you and my tummy was
saying howdy... Okay, okay, now
y’all think I’m nuts! Moving on!
For more info on Simply Divine,
head over to the puder, nibble on a
few bites: simplydivinela.org.
Women of color, I have
something especially for you.
Out in Philadelphia on April 28May 1 let your hair down and
party up at the 17TH ANNUAL
PHILADELPHIA
BLACK
PRIDE CELEBRATION. Five
whole days of entertainment,
dancing and venues all over the
area. It’s “the opportunity for
Black LGBTQ+ communities
& allies to celebrate, network &
build awareness. With a diverse
array of events implemented
collaboratively, this celebration
brings together an average of
3,500-5,000 Black LGBTQ+
people and counting!!” say
Philadelphia Black Pride. The
host hotel for they event is Homes
Suites by Hilton in the Convention
Center District. For more info
go to: phillyblackpride.org/
mypride2016.
GLAAD will be presenting
its 27TH ANNUAL MEDIA
AWARDS in Los Angeles on
Saturday, April 2nd at THE
BEVERLY HILTON.
Los
Angeles, home to the stars and
celebrities of the world. Well, it’s
important to acknowledge and
award those in the media world
who back up and support and the
allies of the LGBT community.
The Media Awards do just that.
What’s exciting is you can attend
this award ceremony and get
the chance to see your idols up
close and personal. The evening
includes cocktails, silent auction,
dinner, media awards, and after
party. This is such a fabulous
event. If you have never attended,
I highly recommend you do so.
Support our community and
support the media that backs us!
For more information: glaad.org/
mediaawards/losangeles.
Hey Mobile Alabama women!
I won’t leave y’all out. Not to
worry, Dian has a Hotspot for
you. You can attend the MOBILE
ALABAMA GAY PRIDE - 2016
MOBILE PRIDEFEST 2 later
this month. That’s right, there
are even pridefests for you ladies
out in Alabama!!! Details are still
being firmed up so by the time
this column publishes, they will
all be there and ready for you to
mark your calendars and go!!!
Just go to: gaytravel.about.com/
od/previewsofpridefestivals/qt/
Mobile_Pride.htm.
Gosh, I have run out of time and
space. I wish I could just go on
and on and on telling you about a
zillion Hotspots around the globe
but sigh, I just can’t. You’ll just
have to show up again next month,
same time, same place!!! Ta ta for
now!!!!
© Hypnocreative | Dreamstime.com
THEORHETICALLY SPEAKING
The Accountable Man
|
By Nikki McCauley
B
lack women - pretty women
color culture-we all live in
Donald Trump-divide and conquer
Las Vegas, bodies in Nevada
a play on deep seated fears
deducing the impact of Hamilton’s brilliance, of we
are all spirit
but we all have them - on display for the world stagetimes in a vicious cycle - Master & Slaveas the republic idles - sounds of HoorayThus, Experiment is working - social governingencrypted communication
and the algorithm are trending
Mastering the mentality and how clearly some long
for it
I mean money is a strong motivator mixed with a few
promises
but honestly, if you just read their feeds - you can see
their inner workings
anyway, here’s an extra for thanks you for, uh, paving
the way
by hand picking my, my, you know…hahaha…
running mates… competition that for the Olympicsand to quote a Wayne lyric, “What’s a Goon to a
Goblin?” I don’t need facts to demolish them.
But in all seriousness, there is excessive accepted
Violence
and it’s time to engage and disengage at the same
time and aim at
correcting the real problems…and seek equality, and
end this game of, as long as I’m one of them…The
fair skin-pretty white women-association… aka #I’m
fucking winning!
Cautionary tale, for by the hands of the blind mind, is
one that crafts the noose he will one day hang from;
and by the hand of the tongue of the one he stood by,
will be the word executed to end his very life. …As
it was only a few decades ago - where pretty women
couldn’t vote
see what I’m saying… color is nothing, if you have
no power in the game…
For when there is no common consideration to man
that we all are one
then it will be the tree with the fighting branches until
there is Darwin—
misunderstood, his principle, that has garners much
momentum
as I watching Trump channeling the air of atrocious
rulers - his crowds
cry a loud and morph into nazi energy… in the name
of democracy!
And the people are emoting, speaking and expressing
what they are thinking—
both for and opposing - professing their allegiances
one nation, under god, indivisible… I can’t finish
for laughing out loud-hand on my heart, the divided
states of America
Conflicting, oh the duality
the First amendment, and the right to be elite
and the right to bare arms,and kill an intruder and
citizen arrest, a thief…
The freedom to be and increase, but not off the back
of other human beings
immigration nation! is what we are, explain why all
the racism, hatred, rage and anger
is the mirror a painful reminder of the that which we
escaped to the mainland for?
the reminders of our past are the roots of our origins
This, we are watching the victims become villains
- self hatred is how Hitler wonscreaming-Jew… N-gg-r… Fag…Woman… it’s not
a color it’s an energy and a license to murder…
Truth is Donald Trump is for all and none
pawns on the chess board
surrounded by machine guns
ID 29652796 © Mikphotographer | Dreamstime.com
FEMASTROLOGY
| By Victoria Bearden
A
pril starts out with
“relative
calm,”
a brief oasis after
the tense solar
and lunar eclipses
in March. However, Mars has
already started slowing down and
will go retrograde in Sagittarius
on April 17, 2016. We all know
what happens when Mercury
goes retrograde. This happens 3
times a year. Things break down,
equipment fails, communication
gets scrambled, and things (and
people) from the past resurface.
However, Mars is a different
and somewhat nastier animal. In
addition, it only goes retrograde
every 2 years. Awareness of
this cycle will be crucial when
planning major decisions for
2016.
Mars will be retrograde from
APRIL 17 through JUNE 29
2016, going from Sagittarius into
Scorpio. It is forward momentum
in reverse. Patience, fortitude,
and diplomacy may seem hard
to come by, but will prove
invaluable. New ventures are not
advisable, but if you must, a slow,
methodical approach is advisable.
begin to creep in around April 15,
2016 and will be a strong factor
throughout May. Even more
reason to chill.
The Mars Retrograde equation
goes something like this:
Whoever initiates loses. This
applies across the board, in love,
war, and in court. New projects
and potentially sexy unions may
simply deflate. My Mars Retro
Mantra: When in doubt, back off!
There’s a New Moon in Aries on
April 7, 2016 and if there is a time
in April to initiate a new project
of any kind…THIS IS THE DAY.
There’s a Full Moon in Scorpio
on April 21, 2016.
In legal matters, let your
opponent make the first move.
In war, notice who fires the first
shot. It won’t go well from there.
My advice this April is CHILL
OUT. Avoid purchasing anything
mechanical unless you can return
it. Computers and devices easily
break down. If it isn’t broken,
don’t try to fix it. And if it is
broken, fix it for now and buy a
new one in July!
Mercury goes retrograde in
Taurus on April 28, 2016 (I kid
you not,) but the influence will
Aries (March 21-April 19) Be yourself, stand
your ground, and embrace the changes that are
unfolding in your life. With your Planetary Ruler,
Mars, going retrograde this month, you’ll want to be
conscious of where you put your energy. If you find
certain doors closing, don’t resist it. This is a time
to maintain your equilibrium. Don’t waste time on
people or situations that aren’t yielding. Pay attention
to projects you’ve already started.
Taurus (April 20-May 20) You’ll feel a pull
between the need for quiet reflection and social
interaction. Try to do both. You may need some
down time or a brief getaway. Healing and spiritual
activities are favored. But creative friends and
supportive colleagues will also want your attention.
Selective socializing will prove beneficial.
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Work is a source of
some confusion, but creative solutions will save
the day. You will find friends and colleagues want to
be supportive and can offer positive ideas. And you
will be a valuable addition to any team now. Single
Gemini’s will need to make some choices later in
the month. To commit or not to commit…that is the
question.
Astro-Opportunity Days: April
1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 15, 21, 22, & 25
Femastrology Horoscopes for
April 2016
For all the Sun Signs: Pace
yourself and don’t push the
river. Be the voice of reason in
conflict situations. And if no
one is listening to your peaceful
solutions, retreat and wait for the
energy to change. This is a time
period that favors a mature and
practical approach. Let patience,
balance, and harmony dominate
your thinking and actions.
Libra (September 23-October 22) Relationships
take center stage and positive connections can
be formed. Make time for your social adventures, but
avoid the temptation to slack off with responsibilities.
Single Libras may encounter a new love interest, or
one from the past may resurface. Pay attention to
anything regarding health, no matter how small it
seems.
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Much can
be gained by adhering to a strong and steady
regime now, with health and work. Maintain the
status quo and continue to put energy into projects
you’ve started. But things won’t be boring! There is
enormous creative energy around you now. This is a
wonderful vibration for prosperity, love, and fertility.
Single Scorpios may find romance.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Get
your house in order, literally! Clean up any
disorder and confusion in your home environment.
When that’s done, get ready to turn your energies
toward love and creativity. There is plenty of fun
coming your way, with loved ones, new friends, and
children.
Cancer (June 21-July 21) Work and
responsibilities are demanding, but rewarding.
Education is favored. Focus on that which is essential
to you and your loved ones, even though you will be
tempted to help others when asked. There are only so
many hours in the day.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Attend
to matters concerning home, family, and
security. There are lots of important communications
and activities you will want to engage in. Avoid the
tendency to over-extend yourself. You will benefit
from writing, education, and intellectual pursuits.
Travel can be positive.
Leo (July 23-August 22) This is a fortunate
period and you’ll feel like exploring new
territory. But pace yourself. Don’t spread yourself
too thin. Concentrate on the projects at hand and they
will lead to success in the months ahead. Take care of
any legal issues as soon as the month begins.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Exciting
ideas and relationship opportunities abound
now. Business partnerships are also favored. Single
Aquarians could get a pleasant surprise when a new
potential partner suddenly pops up. This should be a
fun time, so just don’t scatter your energies.
Virgo (August 23-September 22) Good things
are coming your way. Spiritual unions, monetary
benefits, and opportunities to move or change jobs.
The only catch is, not all of these “potentials” will be
real. Use your caution, logic, and intuition to figure
out legitimate pathways to success. When dealing
with new people, make SURE they are who they say
they are.
Pisces (February 19-March 20) Focus on work
and money now, as there is much to be gained.
But don’t forget about your own needs. You need to
nurture your creative/spiritual side. Find the balance
between your responsibilities and your desires. You
may be asked to help a friend or relative.
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Lesbian News
G ift G uide
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WET FOR HER
Get a free
bottle of Lube
with order.
Details on last
page.
Twisted Roots
Vineyard
Happy New Year! Well we are officially into the New Year and that means a fresh new start, with new goals
and expectations of what is ahead of us this year. Well the vineyards of Twisted Roots are no different, we
too are eagerly awaiting a new start to our growing season. Currently the vineyard is pretty bare, so much
so that one might not see the future as too bright, given the almost dead look to the vines. This time of year,
the vines are completely dormant and bare, with all the leaves falling off and the canes all over the place.
That being said, this is a very important time of the year, a time that can determine the production and
quality of the grapes that will ultimately become our 2015 vintages. Even though our family has been at
this for three generations now and almost 100 years, it is still the time of year that causes us concern.
Pruning is an art of delicate balance; too much will cause small, uneconomical crops; too little will cause
over-cropping and low-quality fruit. Pruning also facilitates cultivation, disease control and harvesting,
when the vines are trained to a grow in a particular shape. It is a skill that requires experience and
judgment and cannot be done by machine. Ross, who spent his entire life on the vineyard and learned from
his father on how to properly prune our vines, so that just the right amount of grapes would be produced
and the best quality would be achieved. If we leave too many buds, which means lots of grapes will be
produced, then our wine will be light and flabby, too few buds and we lose tonnage and don’t have enough
great wine to go around.
When it comes to our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel vineyard, the entire situation of pruning changes. As you
can see from the picture here, these vines are wild and twisted by their very nature, so pruning becomes
very difficult. The key to our rich, bold, yet soft flavors in our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel wines, is pruning
these vines so that they don’t over produce and over work these old vines. With most of the wood on these
vines being dead and hollow, if we leave the same number of buds as the rest of our vines, we would end up
over working the vines and end up killing the old vines. While only 4 acres remain of the original vineyard
from 1918, we always struggle with wanting to maximize the number of bottles each year, we always want
to protect our family history and want to make sure that the vines are going to be around for the future as
well.
So next time you are out and about, and happen by a vineyard, remember that while it might look like
nothing but twigs, there is a lot more going on out there. Someone, somewhere is focused and concerned
about how to handle this mess of twigs.
Cheers Josh Ruiz Co-Owner/Winemaker
For More Info: www.twistedrootsvineyard.orderport.net/wines/Current-Releases
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Novica.com is an online Fair Trade marketplace filled with handmade and handcrafted artisan products that
range from jewelry and apparel to home décor. Every Novica product is a Gift That Gives Back. Since
1999 we have sent over 50 million dollars to artisans in: the Andes, Bali & Java, Brazil, Central American,
India, Mexico, Thailand and West Africa.
The Artisan - Narinee
I am Narinee a jewelry artisan from Chiang Mai, Thailand. I love to see a woman wearing my jewelry –
especially my earrings. Did you know that in Asia earrings symbolize strength and some people regard
earrings as fetishes that tell of their individual personalities and identities?
I have a special fascination for marcasite jewelry. I think it has its own unique value because the stones
allow me to create and design thousands of patterns. It is truly a must for the jewelry lover, especially when
it is designed delicately and neatly, featuring the small black glitter of marcasite all over. It really looks
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I have worked with Novica for over four years. It has changed my life – I can share my designs around
the world. I never dreamed when I began to work with Novica that so much opportunity would come to
me. To share my work with the readers of The Lesbian News is a dream come true.
I do not consider myself a businesswoman – I am an artist and I am learning combine the two. Today I am
able to take care of my parents and myself and to provide an income for the artisans that work with me.
ROSE MASTERPOL GALLERY
ROSE MASTERPOL GALLERY
I
n her work of the past three
years Rose Masterpol has
been oscillating between a
drawn line, animated by color
as well as its own flagellating
trail, and a more painterly stroke
that provides given expanses with
texture as well as hue. The drawn
line assumes a rhythmic animation
akin to graffiti writing and on
occasion even cartoon caricature,
seeming almost choreographed.
Here Masterpol, deliberately or
not, proposes a translation of hiphop and other urban dance into
non-objective painting, perhaps
even a kind of notation; certainly,
she is re-purposing the energy of
the ³street² to painterly effect.
That level of energy carries over
into Masterpol¹s larger, even more
ambitious canvases; but in these,
she puts aside the self-conscious
project of contemporary reflection
and allows herself the luxury
of pure painting. If the ³drawn²
paintings manifest a vigorous but
studied response to pop culture,
the ³painted² paintings embody
Masterpol¹s equally fervent but
entirely spontaneous response
to artists who have come before
her. She cites Joan Mitchell,
Pollock, Picasso, De Kooning,
Kline, and Motherwell as models,
and their influence is readily
apparent. Masterpol recapitulates
that influence with remarkable
intelligence and sensitivity: these
are genuine, unabashed Abstract
Expressionist works right down
to their Surrealist reliance on the
impulsive mark and their Cubist
articulation of space.
The irony is that Masterpol¹s
more ³historic² painting is, if
anything, less studied than her
more ³contemporary² work. When
she responds to the bold moves
and bright contrasts of today¹s
pop idioms she picks up on
their stylizations no less than on
their power; she reflects the fact
that, even while they depend on
boundless invention, the popular
arts allow their artists limited
freedom. Like any good pop artist,
Masterpol capitalizes on such
restraint by playing off it, letting
restricted modality amplify her
inventiveness.
For truly liberated painting,
however, she turns to a tradition
of liberty that she can only inherit
from fellow painters. In this regard,
Masterpol proceeds in the wake
of her influences with voluble
confidence, studying and ³feeling²
rather than simply imitating their
imagery or their method. Indeed,
she comprehends the examples
of De Kooning, Picasso, et al, as
just that ­ examples of spirit, more
important to her for their attitude
than for their manner. She has
learned from them, for instance,
to pace herself across a visual
field ­but the pace she maintains is
entirely her own. She has learned
to segue strategically from color
to color rather than simply dump
paint in various areas ­but the colors
result from her own perception,
and her segues embody her own
sensibility. With every lesson
learned, Masterpol finds herself
more profoundly as a painter.
Rose Masterpol would seem to be
two painters in one. In fact, she
is one painter paying attention
to two modes of expression.
Both those modes are urgent and
convincing, and she responds to
both with insight, conviction, and
unmistakable personality. Those
two modes would seem to have
little to say to each other; but, like
someone brought up bi-lingually,
Masterpol speaks both with poetic
fluency and effortless translation,
finding ­ and building ­ vivid
connections between them.
For more information on Rose
Masterpol’s
works,
please
visit her website
SUSAN ST. THOMAS GALLERY
“Stardust Reveries”
An exhibit of celestial abstract
art by Susan St. Thomas at the
Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N Main
St Sebastopol CA 95465. www.
sebastopol-gallery.com. 707 8297200
With over 40 years as a professional
astrologer, Susan combines her
fascination with the language of the
stars and her lifelong expression
as an artist. This collection is
inspired by the images captured
by the Hubble telescope of deep
space – a boundless realm of ever
changing form.
Susan uses layered glazes of acrylic
to create depth and a dance of
light and color, sometimes mixing
media and collage. Capable of
both precision painting and loose
free flowing washes, she integrates
a variety of innovative techniques
to express her imagination.
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