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Mary J. Blige Queen Blige In London

2014 LESBIANDecember NEWS NO. 5 • 40 • + VOL. Check out our Holiday HERstyle Gift All I want for Guide Christmas is Toys

Lucy Lawless She Will Put A Spell On You 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.

Donna J. Wade is a writer and graphic designer specializing in direct-mail fundraising for wildlife conservation, environmental and animal welfare non-profits. She came out publicly in 1976 while attending a midwestern police academy. She spent twenty out-and- proud years working within the LAPD to change entrenched attitudes, serving as a police academy instructor, specialist reserve officer, and civilian member of LAPD disciplinary tribunals. She's happily in love with her partner of nearly 18 years.

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.

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 has been writing for Lesbian News for the last ten years. During this time he has written movie, cover, lifestyle and feature columns for the magazine. John also works as a freelance writer for Herald de Paris, Tolosa Press, UR Chicago and Z Magazine. He also has his own blog. Juno Parrenas 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.

Karen Williams graduated summa cum laude from Cleveland State University with a personally-designed major in “Humor and Healing.” She earned a Master of Education degree from CSU’s Adult Learning & Development program. Karen Williams, M.Ed, taught Stand-Up Comedy in the Dramatic Arts department of Cleveland State University. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of HaHA Institute and an internationally acclaimed and nationally-known stand-up comic, SPEAK UP! SPEAK OUT! LAUGH OFTEN!

Karinna Karsten Love educator Karinna Karsten is an internationally-recognized relationship expert, speaker, author of the best-selling book, Intimate Wisdom, The Sacred Art of Love and the creator of the popular DVD Sacred Love-Making. She’s also the founder of Sacred Love, Inc., a love media and lifestyle company in Los Angeles where that includes books, CDs and DVDs, and memberships including Love Spa and Love TV, to attract and enhance high quality love and intimacy.

Karyn Dunphy lives in North Hills, CA. with her daughter and two Golden Retrievers. Karyn entered the professional golf ranks when she was 46 and joined the LPGA in 1999.She has won numerous events including 2012 LPGA T&CP National Super Senior Champion, and was voted 2009 LPGA Western Section Teacher of the Year. She passionately enjoys life and facilitating the unimagined joy one experiences exploring golf and spirit while playing this phenomenal game.

Kristi Pallino is a leader in the field of Life Coaching. She works with Lesbian individuals, couples and large groups. Kristi’s Life Coaching landed her on a cable show called “How Do I Look” as well as five different non-profit organizations teaching Life Skills. She also writes a monthly motivational column called “The Coach’s Corner.” Kristi’s passion is to coach her clients into the purposeful life they are meant to live and beyond. Visit her website at www.lifecoachkristi.com. Contact: [email protected] or 818-321-6830.

Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, 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!

Marsha Naify is a graduate of the University of Southern California. Marsha worked in the entertainment business for several decades before branching off to various business endeavors over the years. Formerly a staff writer for The Blade, Marsha continues to write as a freelance journalist. Her philanthropic work includes serving on the board of Children Today and CARMA. She recently was co-chair of the steering committee for the Long Beach LGBT History Project, a year long retrospective that is currently on display at the Historical Society of Long Beach. Marsha has also won numerous awards and been honored for her community service. 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.

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: Pilot- Godless- 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.

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.

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.

Teresa DeCrescenzo is a social worker, activist, teacher, and writer. After 25 years of advocating for LGBT youth through her work at GLASS, Teresa is adjunct professor at CSUN where she has taught Sociology of LGBT communities, Social Policy, Social Work Practice, and other courses designed to inspire and prepare future generations of social work activists. She is also the Director of Social Services at one of the largest acute care hospitals in California. As Arts & Culture Editor and Book Reviewer, Teresa brings the best of lesbian writing and cultural events to the community-at-large. 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 December 2014 CONTENTS

LESBIAN NEWS COVER STORY Lucy Lawless Actor-musician-activist Lucy Lawless gets oh so wicked in her latest endeavor By John Esther FEATURES HERstyle Sexy Hers & Hers harnesses, new wireless vibrators and a new twist on an old faithful. We’re sharing our Top Naughty but Nice Christmas Toys from Wet For Her that your lady will put on Santa’s list. Whether she’s INSIDE LN been naughty or nice, these gifts are the kind she’ll love to find underneath the tree this year. POETRY By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown 89 HOTSPOTS Susan Sontag No Holiday Blues for you!!! There and here: Regarding Susan Sontag By John Esther NOTES FROM NAT The sound of innovative popular trends heralds a new Lesbian News Holiday Gift Guide year of music By Gladi Adams, PhD BOOKS Women, Gay Bars and Josephine Decker Theology Before Stonewall.. Josephine Decker raises awareness about LOL environmental issues through her performance art. Media Awards at Paley Center, By Lillian Jensen 2nd Annual Long Beach AIDS Ride Happy Wolfgiving 3 Doggy Health Hazards to Avoid on Turkey Day. TRAVEL By Gillian Kelly A Dutch Cheese Affair to Remember Right to Know FEMASTROLOGY What are the potential health and environmental The first week of December starts with a blast of creative energy, so impacts of so many genetically engineered organisms in be ready to ride the wave! our food supply? By Sheer and Moss LIFESTYLES Mary J. Blige Mary J. Blige brings it home By Lillian Jensen Movies Eye C Ethiopian Oscar film about child abduction By John Esther Bettye Lavette BETTYE LAVETTE in 2015 is Worthy and satisfied. By Lillian Jensen Humanity Here Tis the season to be... By Karen Williams Notes from Nat The sound of innovative popular trends heralds a new year of music By Nat Burns

COLUMNS Living Out Swimming outside the holiday mainstream By Sally Sheklow Positive Reflections Can a spider ruin you whole day and night? By Dian Katz, MS Queerly Questioning As a recent transplant to the state of Ohio, I am at serious risk of getting disenfranchised By Juno Parrenas, PhD Theorhetically Speaking The crushing of coal, the producing of a diamond By Nikki McCauley The Coach’s Corner Get rid of your old thinking cap! By Kristi Pallino Words That Make Sense If things aren’t going right, it’s time to speak up By Toni Hart Lucy Lawless She Will Put A Spell On You

| By John Esther 1/5 esbian News readers may episodes as For the Love of Mike, Alfonso Ribeiro? Lucy performed know Lucy Lawless as The Ray Bradbury Theater and saccharine songs with Michael the lesbian icon, Xena: The New Adventures of the Black Bolton, Kenny Loggins, Richard Warrior Princess but Stallion. Lucy also appeared as Marx, Smokey Robinson, Bonnie there is so much more to Lysia in Hercules and the Amazon Tyler and Dionne Warwick. Lthe New Zealander who shook the Women and Lyla in Hercules: The Lucy has also appeared on a television screen with her portrayal Legendary Journeys prior to her host of other shows, such as The of a woman trying to make things role as Xena. L Word, Just Shoot Me!, Two right with the world and her past. In March 1995 Xena premiered in and a Half Men, Veronica Mars, In her latest endeavor, Lawless “The Warrior Princess” episode Curb Your Enthusiasm, CSI: goes live on stage at the Pasadena of the show. Produced by Lucy’s Miami and she lent her voice to Playhouse in Pasadena, California, eventually second and current American Dad. You may also as Carabosse, the evil fairy in husband (and father of her two remember Lucy as D’Anna Biers Sleeping Beauty and her Winter sons, Julius and Judah), Robert on Battlestar Galactica, Lucretia Knight. Gerard Tapert, Xena was originally in both Spartacus: Blood and Sand a villainous character. After two and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, And that is not all. more appearances, Xena became a Helen Burton on No Ordinary Born Lucille Frances Ryan on kinder, gentler warrior. Family, Diane Lewis on Parks and March 29, 1968, in the Auckland, Recreation and Isabelle Hartley In fact Xena was so well liked, New Zealand suburb of Mount on Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D. the producers decided to create Albert, to teacher Julie Ryan and a spinoff and six months later a In addition to the stage and small banker/Mount Albert Mayor Frank legend was born, Xena: Warrior screen, Lucy as also appeared Ryan, Lucy was the fifth child in a Princess. The show was a hit, in such films as Spider-Man, Catholic family. lasting six seasons. It also received Eurotrip, Boogeyman, Bedtime From an early age Lucy entertained many awards and even more Stories, Bitch Slap (that was her people on stage, performing in her nominations. playing Mother Superior) and first musical at the age of 10. Lucy Jane Campion’s BBC miniseries, For her portrayal of a strong continued to sing and act through Top of the Lake. woman whose nearest and dearest her adolescent years, honing her confidant was a woman, Gabrielle Perhaps more importantly is what craft. During these years, Lucy (played by Renée O’Connor), Lucy has been doing off camera. also struggled with the eating Xena became an icon for the First of all, Lucy is a member of the disorder bulimia. lesbian community. While Xena board of trustees for the StarShip At the ripe age of 19, Lucy became and Gabrielle’s relationship was Foundation, the charity component pregnant. The father was Garth ambiguous at first, it became clear of the Starship Children’s Health Lawless. They married. The couple by the end of the show that the two (New Zealand’s main hospital). had a daughter, Daisy, when Lucy were indeed lovers, too. Lucy has used her name to raise was 20. The marriage lasted until money for the organization by A year after Xena: Warrior that mythological 7-year itch. fundraising, donating part of her Princess premiered Lucy made her However, Lucy maintained her salary, giving concerts, auctioning Broadway debut as Betty Rizzo in alliterated last name. of her likeness or Xena costumes. Grease. Her first television appearance Out of respect for her efforts, Since then Lucy has appeared on was on the New Zealand sketch September 21 is “Lucy Lawless stage not only as an actor but as a comedy series, Funny Business. Feel the Love Day.” Organized by professional singer. Some of you Ohhhh, “Checkout Girl.” Official Lucy Lawless Fan Club, may remember her time on Musical Lucy Lawless Feel the Love Day Before television viewers knew Duets where she was runner-up to kicks off a week of charity by fans her as Xena, Lucy appeared in such of Lucy Lawless. Lucy has also and charged with burglary. In June Running December 10, 2014 to been awarded the New Zealand of 2012 she pleaded to trespassing January 2, 2015, Panto at the Order of Merit. and was ordered to pay $547 and do Playhouse Sleeping Beauty and 120 hours of community service. Her Winter Knight is reportedly Personally, what I like most Noble Discoverer eventually set an updated version of the Brothers about Lucy is her activism for the off to do its business. Despite the Grimm featuring magic, comedy, environment and LGBT rights. time and fine, Lawless has shown dancing (featuring So You Think For five years Lucy has been the no signs of apathy when it comes You Can Dance alumni), a live “climate ambassador” for the to the environment. She seems as pony, Panto interaction with Greenpeace “Sign On” Campaign. committed as ever. the audience (encouraged), and But she is not just an activist on popular music from the past 60 paper. Lucy puts her beliefs into Lucy has also been seen at gay years or so. practice. pride parades and a highly visible vocal supporter for marriage In this exclusive interview, LN In February 2012 Lucy and equality, including protesting caught up with the 5 foot 9 ½ other activists boarded the Shell- California’s ill-induced yet ill- inches Lawless in New Zealand chartered oil drilling ship, Noble fated Proposition 8. to get her thoughts on Sleeping Discoverer (barf!) in New Zealand Beauty, acting, activism and will in order to prevent the ship from Lucy also shows no signs of there be Xena revival. going to the Artic for drilling slowing down in the entertainment exploration. She spent four days department, either. Lesbian News: What attracted atop the 174-foot tower of the ship. you to the role of Carabosse in Lucy was subsequently arrested SB? 5/5 Lucy Lawless: Who doesn’t want to be on the stage. I went to a gay community that made the to play the bad girl? In part I love production of Snow White and the show hip. to play some morally imperiled Seven Dwarves and when the black LN: While Xena’s relationship character and in part I really want light came on and all the flowers with Gabrielle was somewhat to do panto. It’s part of a very old and costumes fluoresced, I was lost ambiguous in the beginning, it English tradition – it’s melodrama, in the magic of it all. I knew there was rather “straightforward” it’s comedy and historically, was no other place in the world as supercallafrajalistikexpialadocious as the narrative progressed. gender bending, which probably as the stage. There was nowhere else How were you involved with stems from a time when all actors I would ever want to be. the making of their Sapphic were men. Still it lends an element relationship? Were you and of fun. LN: Before you started getting the producers concerned about jobs as a performer, what kinds LN: Can you give us a hint how censorship issues? Concerned of jobs did you have. Was there you will approach the role? about conservative reaction? anything particularly distasteful? LL: Nope. I won’t know till I get LL: Renée and I did not invent LL: I washed dishes in many the wig and cossie on. It hasn’t the Sapphic themes; the writers restaurants, worked in pubs. I been developed yet but I know the and producers allowed them to worked in a mining company in second I put it on, the character unfold and we simply fulfilled the the outback of Australia. I had to will emerge. scripts. That is our job. What we saw 1 km of bedrock core every found is that conservative people LN: Can you tell us how the morning with a diamond saw. It in America did not see a sapphic Pasadena Playhouse production was cold wet, gritty work. I hope I relationship. It was all in the eye will differ from others? never have to do it again. of the beholder. But for those who LL: The tradition of panto includes LN: Many of our readers know wanted to see it, there were loads a call and response between actor you best as Xena. Many of them of subtext. and audience. I remember two saw her as an icon. Can you tell LN: Are there any plans for a years ago Nigel Lythgoe and I us what that role meant for you? revival of her character? were the only two people in the LL: Xena: Warrior Princess was the audience who were yelling out, LL: God, I never stop getting job of a lifetime. Renée and I grew “Look behind you!” I got the hounded about this. I guess that’s up in the business over those six feeling the American audience felt a good thing. Yes, I have lots of years. We were a family 100 strong. we were heckling the actors. But plans and lots of ideas. The world I cannot separate the character in fact that is all part of the panto totally needs Xena and Gabrielle. from the working experience. It culture. So when the bad guy yells taught me to surrender to the needs LN: What other upcoming out, “Oh, no I didn’t!,” your job of the group. It taught me to work projects are you working on? is to yell back, “Oh, yes you did!” and not complain. It taught me to And this goes back and forth a LL: I never know what I’m going be grateful. It gave me everything couple of times until the bad guy to be doing three months from I have including a family and an loses the argument! now. I write a column for the New incredible fan base who have Zealand Herald and finding my LN: When it comes to performing supported my career these many voice as a writer. I have a very do you have a preference between years. interesting book in me with lots stage and TV/film? LN: Were you surprised to see of stories I’ve never told anyone LL: No, I love it all! her become a lesbian icon? except my nearest and dearest. I’m waiting for a few people to die LN: When did you first realize LL: Yes. I don’t think Renée and I before I let loose. you wanted to be a professional saw that coming but looking back, entertainer? it makes perfect sense. It was the LN: What do you enjoy doing LL: From the age of 8 I wanted when you are not working? LL: Eating drinking, learning Italian – living la vità italiana! LN: You have been involved with Greenpeace for many years--even getting arrested and charged with burglary? Why is the work Greenpeace is doing so important to you? LL: Climate Change is coming at us like God’s steamroller and people are in mass denial. I don’t know how else to contribute. Greenpeace NZ are the most honorable people I know. I love Kumi Naidoo from Greenpeace International, too. He’s is a great leader. LN: Do you have any “guilty pleasures”? LL: Heaps.

Photo Credit For The Three Sleeping Beauty Shots: Michael Rozman

JOSEPHINE DECKER

| By Lillian Jensen

aving started her career Curve Magazine, The New York where a Balkan folk festival is in documentaries, Times, New York Magazine and taking place. Sarah (Sarah Small) helping to produce The Dallas Morning News, among surprises her friend Isolde (Isolde for A&E, ABC and others. Josephine’s short films Chae-Lawrence) by visiting her Discovery, Josephine and music videos have played at the camp and the two of them HDecker often builds her work from at MoMA, SXSW, Cucalorus, enjoy learning about the mythical improvisation and collaboration Maryland, and Austin Film stories from those faraway lands, with real communities. In addition Festival, have won children’s practicing traditional song and to making her own work, Josephine programming awards and can be dance and chit-chatting on their Decker spent the past two years seen on PBS and Kidzbop. Her torch-lit journeys back to the tiny acting in films by directors like short “Me The Terrible,” about a cottage where they sleep. Sarah Joe Swanberg, Onur Tukel, Adam child pirate who tries to conquer encounters a handsome guy during Wingard and Spencer Parsons, New York City, received a glowing one of their carefree moments and producing short videos for United review in The New Yorker. decides to seduce him – slowly and Way and creative producing a over the course of several days. Fortunate to be collaborating with documentary for performance Obscure feelings begin to disrupt artists she admires, Josephine artist Sarah Small. her behavior while she makes her also raises awareness about advances and she almost forgets In 2008, Josephine directed the environmental issues through her about Isolde as she is dragged documentary feature Bi The Way, performance art. deeper and deeper into the mythical exploring the rise of bisexuality BUTTER ON THE LATCH world being played out in front of in America and available on Logo her by the other festival guests. and Netflix. The film screened at Josephine Decker’s sinister Ashley Connor’s refreshing SXSW, Silverdocs and about 100 folktale is set in the dark cinematography and Decker’s festivals worldwide and received Californian forest of Mendocino, own freestyle editing – at times write-ups in The Austin Chronicle, experimental, at times tranquil and contemplative – articulate the eerie not going unwatched. Within this underworld simmering in Sarah’s atmosphere, a charged romance unstable psyche. What begins as develops between Sarah and Akin an innocent visit to the forest soon that carries both an erotic tension gives way to a confusing mind- and vague feeling of menace. trip, where reality and mythology When Akin’s wife Drew comes become inextricably linked. for a visit, the situation explodes, harmless fantasies giving way to a THOU WAST MILD & violent nightmare. LOVELY The seductive colors and shallow On a farm in rural Kentucky, father depth of field of Ashley Connor’s Jeremiah (Robert Longstreet) and superb camerawork accentuate the daughter Sarah (Sophie Traub) ethereal nature of this enigmatic squabble together like young story. Josephine Decker’s second puppies. Over crisp, verdant images feature lets beauty and horror of nature, of animals, streams and blithely flirt with one another like puddles, a mysterious, sensual two coquettish flowers in the same female voice tells of her lover, inviting meadow. who may be a person or may be the whole world. Enter Akin (Joe Swanberg), there to help out for the summer. He’s left his wife and child at home – and taken off his wedding ring as a precaution. Soon the three of them are circling each other, watching, feeling watched and knowing that their watching is

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ETHIOPIA’S OFFICIAL SUBMISSION FOR THE 87TH ACADEMY AWARDS® MOVIES EYE C FOR BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

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OPENING IN LOS ANGELES OFFICIAL FOREIGN LANGUAGE December 12th COMMITTEE SCREENING Laemmle Music Hall November 21st at 7:30 pm Samuel Goldwin Theatre

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For more information on these screenings – [email protected] www.DIFRET.com And Now for Something Positively Difret | By John Esther

thiopia’s Oscar received a standing ovation. very ignorant, brutish and submission for Best Not surprisingly it won the sexually immature men. Foreign Language Sundance Audience Award in Like many Ethiopian girls, Film has a lot of the International Narrative 14-year-old Hirut (Tizita things going for it. A Competition. It was also the Hagere) is off to school one day relevant story that needs wider first Ethiopian film to play at E when a group of uncharming exposure, positive images Sundance. Batting 1000! men swoop her up and away. about professional women, Executively produced by female solidarity (very much While such a disgusting system Angelina Jolie (who adopted needed after the US midterm often leads to doom for the a girl from Ethiopia named elections), female resistance abducted adolescent, Hirut Zahara) writer-director (ditto) and dare I write after resists, killing her kidnapper Zeresenay Berhane Mehari’s such comments, one very and rapist in the process. Yeah, film attacks the rural, albeit attractive cast. you go, girl! Well, not if you illegal, practice of abducting are a misogynistic thug. When I saw Difret at Sundance girls and forcing them to marry Film Festival this year, it According to this particular patriarchal tradition, justice, Unlike the majority of Regardless, Difret is one of the or revenge, must be done. If Hollywood narratives where best films out in theaters. Hirut is found guilty she must women are pitted against each Lastly, yet not surprisingly, the be executed. Makes sense in other or where women unite Ethiopia government has placed a world controlled by vicious only to get back at some guy a court order against screening idiots. who did them wrong, Difret is the film publically in Ethiopia, about women uniting to break Enter Meaza (Meron Getnet), a a country plagued by human the shackles of an oppressive lawyer working for a nonprofit rights abuses, censorship and patriarchal system. organization interested the system of abducting girls in women’s rights. She A thoroughly enjoyable, riveting and forcing them to be brides. immediately takes the case, film, the film builds up so much offering Hirut her only hope. promise it comes somewhat as Of course, a smart woman shock and disappointment how encountering a patriarchal Difret ends rather abruptly. It society built on stupidity will would have been interesting to encounter obstacles along see the judicial machinations the way – and not just in work in a case where a young rural Ethiopia. Fortunately, girl stands up to male authority Meaza has the backing of – by the law of the jungle righteousness, a wise mentor and in the courtroom – and and the many women who can prevails. The icing comes on sympathize with Meaza and the cake before it has had time empathize with Hirut. to sufficiently bake and settle. TITLE SPONSOR PRESENTING SPONSORS

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All I Want for Christmas is TOYS! Our Top Naughty but Nice Sex Toys for Xmas

| By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown

oys, toys and more officially “all grown up” (at least she’s yours as well. So why not toys! Oh, the days on the outside), it definitely feels unwrap her all the way, RIGHT?! when we were young as if some of us have stopped Well, this issue of HERstyle, little dykes and all the celebrating or just no longer we’re bringing you our latest toys we wanted were take the initiative of making that TOP MUST-HAVE Toys for Teither Lincoln Logs, Legos or Christmas gift extra memorable. the bedroom (or outside of the a couple of Barbies every now It can even be something as bedroom) from the online store and then. As we got a bit older, simple as putting the sugar and Wet For Her at www.wetforher. our priorities switched to gifts spice back into the Christmas us , to keep this holiday season as becoming more about money Spirit. I mean, why save all of spicy as Grandma’s apple cider. from Grandma, begging the the romance for just Valentine’s See the Lesbian News Holiday parents for a new car (and not Day or perhaps on her birthday?! Guide in this issue and put in just driving mom’s minivan) and After all, you are her present and the LN code when ordering to possibly not attending summer receive your FREE gift. I hope school. But now that we’re you’re ready ladies because once 1/3 we dive into this toy chest, it will of the androgynous, masculine I tend to find is that the fit can give a whole new meaning to the identified, or any woman that be way too snug or maybe some phrase ‘Merry Xmas’. loves the look and feel of this possible pinching or poking from brief. The best part about this the design or materials used. The Rodeo H , The Joque and whole design is that the O-ring is Not with this brand. One of my the Sasha on the inside of the brief, so that favorite designs is the Joque These uber attractive harnesses you can wear them like regular harness, which may look like are not only sexy as hell but the briefs until the timing is right your typical harness. But this is comfort level is quite amazing (wink wink)! for my butchies and any lady that which is pretty darn important. prefers more of a relaxed feel to Also featured on Wet For Her is Both the Rodeo H button- a harness that fits like a glove. A the Spareparts company, which is fly briefs and Spareparts lot of the time we spend constant also very unique in variations and Hardware’s The Joque have attention on adjusting straps or the styles of the harnesses. I’ve they been making quite the making sure that the metal O-ring had a few different harnesses in statement with these ‘tomboi’ isn’t pinching the life out of your the past, and the deal breaker for versions of the modern harness. ‘hoo-ha’ and with designs like me always lies in the fit. Because The Rodeo H, which is 95% these, that’s just not an issue. I am quite the curvy girl, what cotton and 100% comfortable Basically, they’re helping us get has definitely caught the eye more love-time and less time 2/3 foolin’ around with adjusting the This toy is taking it to a whole new simple shape of two-fingers in damn harness. level of comfort and I’m giving the ‘come-hither’ posture is just them big smiles all around! How enough of a simple design that Now, I have to say that we have many times have we’ve gone it’s perfect! We all know that the definitely found some awesome into a shop or a storefront online possibilities can truly be endless hers & hers harnesses within the and all we have to choose from in this particular category line and for you ladies that like is the same phallic design over because we enjoy seeing each a tad more femininity to your and over again. Not only that but other in bliss. And as long as harness, they have just the style sometimes the fit isn’t the most there is art to be made and new for you too. ‘The Bella’ and ‘The comfortable for the one on the pieces to design, the demand will Sasha’ are two amazingly sexy, receiving end. FOUR has thought be there. But the point of all of ridiculously ravishing harnesses this way out. This dual partner- this is to have fun. Enjoy the toy that literally look like pieces of pleasure non-harness piece is and each other. The design, the lace lingerie. truly different from the rest. craftsmanship (or woman ship), The Bella, having a risque Known as being ‘specifically the precision. If you’re having keyhole opening in the back, designed to fit comfortably for trouble figuring out what design leaves a little and a lot to the female penetration’, FOUR is and fit works best for you, visit imagination. The Sasha, which definitely stepping out as a very your nearest LGBT sex shop or is a red boy-short style that unique spin on harnessless, even hop online and read reviews has adorable ruching along the hands-free sex, while having dual on whatever you’re interested seam of the bottom and black stimulation for both partners. in. It doesn’t hurt to read other ribboned bows on each hip, is Genius. There are 3-speed with ladies experiences about why or quite the showstopper on any this design and because it’s 100% why not a design worked / didn’t figure. Regardless of the design silicone, it is also waterproof. work for them and maybe it your gravitate towards, both the can help you narrow down your You may be asking yourself, Rodeo H, the Joque and even decision. what’s the difference between the Sasha harnesses have figured the FOUR Pink and the FOUR The We-Vibe 3 and 4 out a way to literally improve Purple? Just the color? Different the lovemaking experience in Now, this is technology at it’s taste? Now, if it did have a cool the bedroom, making it way less coolest! The We-Vibe specializes taste that would be awesome! But of a fumble and way more of a in wireless personal and couples’ the difference between the two is touchdown. vibrators. Their products range the colors. Pink, black and purple from the Tango, which is labeled FOUR Pink and Purple Toys are the colors to choose from and as ‘small but packs a punch’, to the standard size is small. The 3/3 the We-Vibe II Plus which is ladies, what’s sexier than that? you order you get a FREE gift their original couples vibrator Okay, maybe the actual toy. The after you enter the special LN and charges with a USB cable Feeldoe is one-of-a-kind because, code. Finally, a store for women and even the newer We-Vibe as stated, it’s designed to stay in by women. Follow us on twitter 3 and We-Vibe 4, which has a place without the use of hands. at @HERstyleLN or send us an wireless remote that allows your It fits easily and comfortably email at herstylelnmagazine@ partner to surprise you with the with most women and the sizes gmail.com. We wanna hear from 6-control options to choose from. vary based on the color of you! In any case ladies, whether They have even now taken a huge the piece. Obviously, because you’ve been naughty or nice, leap forward by coming out with there are no straps, no O-ring, spice it up for someone this the We-Vibe 4 which, get this, no adjustments necessary, the holiday season. After all, it is the has an app for your smartphone. Feeldoe is truly meant for more season of giving. XO All you do is set the mood, grab skin to skin contact and seamless your We-Vibe 4 PLUS, press play lovemaking. Who doesn’t want on your iPhone and let the good that?! times roll. The application also It’s made of medical grade allows you to customize your platinum silicone, which is favorite settings and create new exceptionally hygienic and rhythms to keep yourself and can be cleaned under extreme your partner on your toes. It’s temperatures, including boiling like, a surprise within a surprise! and even bleaching. The Feeldoe Or maybe it’s the gift that keeps is designed to remain odorless, on giving...and giving….and tasteless and is compatible with hopefully giving some more. a water based lubricant for best You can find the outstanding results. We-Vibe products in our Lesbian On the Wet For Her site, there News Holiday Guide and you’ll are about 4 different colors and receive a FREE gift after entering corresponding sizes to choose the LN code when ordering from from and even free shipping for www.wetforher.us . They have purchases over $65+ ! For this even more information, pictures luxury piece, it’s totally worth it. and other available We-Vibe products for purchase. If you hop We hope that our Top Xmas Toys on their website, you can also do in the Lesbian News Holiday a store locator and hopefully it Guide from Wet For Her shop pulls up the nearest distributor have helped you slim down your or provider in your area. decision making for gifts this holiday season. There are so many The Feeldoe other fabulous toys, gadgets and Now, I saved this piece for countless other treats out there last because it’s just that damn and we wanna try them all ! good….or ...so I’ve been told. If there’s anything that you This revolutionary ‘strapless didn’t see that you’re curious strap-on’ is not only made for us about, go to the Lesbian News women but it’s made by a woman Holiday Guide in this issue, and that freakin’ ROCKS! log onto the Wet For Her site at Someone stepping out and www.wetforher.us and check taking a stand for our pleasure, out there online store. Plus when our comfort, our bodies and BOOKS | By Lynda Montgomery

Baby, You Are My Religion I’ve had butch woman say to me, Baby, you are my church. You are my ... religion.” Tap on Book Cover to Marieread the Cartier, review Ballistic Femme

Interesting title, what does it mean? A big hint appears on the fourth page of the book code for “gay”, a place where lesbians can expect to see other lesbians enjoying lattes! If this book The web site is Babyyouaremyreligion.com, reading had been done years ago, it would have been plus there’s a Facebook page with the same name. at a gay bar! Why do I mention this (besides to plug the book), it’s to stress all the avenues we now have to get The second reading was at St Mathews Catholic information about lesbians and where to go to be Church, again in Long Beach, that’s right, sure it was with other lesbians! This book is about the days in the meeting room behind the church but still it was before all these options. in a church! If this book reading had been done years ago, it would have been at a gay bar! The running theme of this collection of interviews, is that the only place or space lesbians had in the Weeks ago, I went to a Lesbian wedding, it was a time before Stonewall, were the gay bars. These legal ceremony in a public “Art” Gallery! If that bars were like churches, a place where lesbians felt wedding had been done years ago, it would have accepted, surrounded by others like them , who they been a mock wedding in a gay bar, preformed by the did not feel “queer” with. bartender (you will have to read the book to get this reference)! Personally, I’m not a church goer, but I am a gay bars goer! The comparison of the two was strange Our history is found in the interviews and stories to me at first. The only similarity I could come that Marie Cartier has collected in this, her published up with was that they both had red wine ! Now dissertation! Her interviews were limited to lesbians after having heard Marie speak at two separate book who came out before 1975! It was not so long ago, I readings, it’s much clearer, just how big a role the was shocked at many of the things I read! I now have gay bars played in our history! a much deeper respect for the lesbians who came before us , plus a deeper appreciation for all the gay The first reading was at “Hot Java” a community bars I’ve worshiped in…read this book with a glass coffee house in Long Beach, California. That’s what of red wine! Cheers! it says on the banner “Community” Coffee House, © Irochka | Dreamstime.com THE COACH’S CORNER

A Brand New Cap For Life! | By Kristi Pallino

ear reader, this year! First thing I want you to do is adventures, journeys, freedom, message is for put your thinking cap on, is it on? health, self-love, energy and most you. There is no Good, now throw it out the window. of all purpose! Come January 1st coincidence why you You are probably thinking how 2015, my challenge for you is to chose to read this the hell am I supposed to create take an hour to write and create Dcolumn. Now, in this moment, my life without my thinking cap? what you want for your life, how it’s because you need to hear this Usually, the cap we are wearing will you get there, what kind of important message-just for you! I is holding too many thoughts that support will you need, who will know you are tired; it’s the end of just sit there waiting to rationalize you have to become to make this the year. But that will not excuse why you shouldn’t do, what you happen? Failure is welcomed give me from what I want to say to you. know you want to do. With that yourself permission to fail, rather You see, I have been a Life Coach said, why don’t we start with a than not doing something because in our community for 15 years, so new cap, the cap you were born you are terrified to fail, failure believe me when I say to you, that with, the one that is pure, fresh and means you are taking risk and your life can be what you want it clear before our caps got tainted growing, everyone you admire to be. How? By having faith in with life experiences that do not has failed many times in their life, yourself again, being proud of who serve us anymore. This new cap so grant yourself permission to you are, loving everything about is an opportunity for you to be fail and liberate yourself. This is you, surrounding yourself with free, free from all the thoughts your new beginning to your well- people that challenge and support that have stopped you from being deserved life! If you have any you. You can’t grow a flower in your true magnificent self. You are questions you know where to find a pot of rocks, so how is one to now the Master of your journey! me [email protected]. I bloom if your surroundings are No longer be the servant to the love you, and I can’t wait to see rocks, hard heads, small minded old way of thinking. Now, how your brand new cap!! people, dream bashers, energy liberating and awesome is this? Your sister and Coach, Kristi vampires and so on…2015 is your This is a new birthing of ideas, Pallino

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Laying Low In Leiden

| By Stephanie Papadakis

h, cheese. The dairy over from The Hague. There were Leiden (biking and cheese-tasting of the Gods. I have about 30 of us flying in for her are two of my favorite things so always had a love wedding (her husband, Micha, is this was definitely something affair with cheese; from Sacramento, CA), so they I could not pass up). Leiden is its rich, creamy, salty created a week-long suggested a quintessential Dutch town; Adeliciousness is something I crave, itinerary for all of us to explore and windmills dot the skyline, romantic especially when it’s that time of learn about the country (this makes canals line the streets and cheese the month. Whether it’s soft and sense: we met in the Brandeis farms are scattered throughout spreadable, hard and crumbly, or Anthropology department during the countryside. Home to famous blue and gooey, I’ve yet to eat a graduate school and she asked Dutch painter Rembrandt and The cheese I haven’t enjoyed. Enter me to proofread the 28-page Netherlands’ oldest university, Gouda. document). this city was the perfect place to get acquainted with the cheeses of A few years back my partner Sara, The best part of this trip was the South Holland. and I went to The Netherlands for cultural event on the last day we my good friend Bea’s wedding. were there…a bike ride to the dairy We began our bike ride at 9 a.m. She’s a Dutch native, born and farms through the vibrant city of sharp (the Dutch are incredibly raised in Voorburg, the next town punctual, which didn’t work so well with my Mediterranean roots in the barn outside the farmhouse. wanted to take our time). We but I managed to make it). To We sampled everything from four snapped selfies when it was safe get to the dairy farms, we had to weeks aged (young cheese) to two and ate some cheese along the bike through the city; thankfully, years aged (very old cheese). Some way. Our next stop was to another 99 in 100 people own bikes so were mild and creamy, others were farm that was to give us a tour the bike lanes are efficient. This hard and salty, with formed cheese of their cheese-making facility. I took a while as there were 17 of crystals throughout. There was was so excited! When we arrived, us in total, which meant 17 people even Leidse kaas (Leiden cheese), it was lunch time and Micha had were looking around, “oohing” a low-fat cheese made with cumin ridden to a nearby bakery to pick and “ahhing” at the centuries-old seeds. Once we purchased our two up fresh bread so we could make buildings and not quite focusing pounds of fatty goodness, we went cheese sandwiches. This farm was on the road. on a tour of the barn to meet the less commercial; the owners lived lovely cows who produced the a few meters from their cheese Our first stop was to a farm about cheese. How friendly they were! room. It was small and intimate, 1.5 hours away from the Leiden so much so that they gave us train station. This is where we Back on the road, we were able fresh butter they had churned that tasted our first proper Gouda to spread out a bit because there morning to use on our sandwiches (pronounced “howda” in Dutch) – were no cars (and because we (I’ve been having a love affair made from the milk of the cows with fresh butter ever since). It was and soaked in a brine solution, bikes and no one was injured! also the first time I ever sampled which gives its rind a distinctive In total, Sara and I brought home buttermilk; it was not something I taste. It is then dried for a few days five pounds of cheese and a bottle would drink as a beverage but it before being coated with a yellow of wine (yes, one of the farms also was definitely better than I ever coating to prevent it from drying produced wine). It lasted for about expected. out. After that, it is aged, a process six months in our refrigerator as in which the cheese changes from Once we finished eating, about we tried really hard to consume it semi-hard to hard and consists four of us snuck off to a farm next in small portions. To this day, this of six gradations: young (four door to try their cheese. We had is one of my favorite excursions in weeks), young matured (8-10 to try as much as possible…we my personal travel history. Being weeks), matured (16-18 weeks), didn’t know when we’d be back! with my partner, one of my best extra matured (7-8 months), old We purchased a pound of extra- friends and a sea of genuinely (10-12 months) and very old matured cheese (aged 7-8 months) happy people biking and eating (12 months or more). I realized and headed back for the tour. cheese…it doesn’t get much better my favorite is old as it is both than that. Helga was one of the owners of incredible salty and still retains a the farm; she and her husband creaminess reminiscent of an aged For more information about Olivia had been producing cheese on it cheddar. Travel, please visit Olivia.com. for many years. She took us into After learning how the Gouda is the room, which was separated by made, I wanted more than ever a partition. Half of it housed the to purchase each type so I could maturing cheese and the other half do my own taste test again back housed the tools necessary to make home. Two cheese comas later, it. We first went to the area where we purchased another two pounds the milk is cultured and Helga told and went on our way. We took us how they “wash the curd”, i.e. a circular route back to the train drain the whey and add water. The station, leaving the farmland and mixture – 10 percent of which is arriving back to the city around made up of curds – is pressed into 4 p.m. I’d say it was a successful circular molds for several hours trip; only two people fell off their LIVING OUT Twice Blessed | By Sally Sheklow

or people like me who are Jewish and Queer It grates on your nerves, though you try to be nice It’s especially hard at this time of the year As you calmly explain in a way that’s concise When gentiles assume that we all are alike That your thing is quite unrelated to theirs Like straight folks ignore that you’re really With meaning and roots that not everyone shares a dyke That your way of being and your way of doing FWhen people around you are into a thing Can stand on their own as a path worth pursuing That makes them rejoice, get nostalgic and sing I know that you get it, it doesn’t feel good And all the whole time, it’s a thing that’s not yours To have who you are be so misunderstood And YOUR thing’s a thing everybody ignores The dominant culture remains unaware Or else they just act like both things are the same That other folks’ ways have their own special flair And YOUR thing just has a dissimilar name On this point I’m actually proud of the Pope Like their thing is normal and yours is okay Whose words of inclusion have given me hope As long as you do it in their kind of way Saying LGBT folks, who’ve long been neglected Not everyone’s like this, thank god, to be fair Should be loved and embraced or at least be respected There are allies who get it and treat you with care Nobody’s better and nobody’s worse They never expect you to cave or conform We all are just people, we all are diverse And we love them for being a port in the storm We can’t assume others are just like ourselves But the ads on TV and the music in stores Not everyone’s thinking of holly and elves And the symbols that reign both inside and outdoors The Jews aren’t Christian and queers are not straight And the things people say without stopping to think We are who we are and that’s good, no that’s great All their merriment might send you over the brink So just be yourself if you’re Jewish or Queer And if you are both, sister, Oy vey iz mir I hear ya, I get ya, I know how it is It’s hard to put up with this dominance biz But one thing we know is that we can survive Homophobic assumptions and holiday jive It helps that our allies are tender and gentle They don’t try to change us they aren’t judgmental They don’t get insulted that we’re not involved We aren’t a problem that has to be solved We hang with our peeps and we make our own fun And we’ll all be relieved when the season is done I hope what I’ve said isn’t awful or scary We’ll discuss it more later, like in January For now let it rest, let me do it my way And I hope that we all have a very nice day

QUEEN BLIGE IN LONDON | By Lillian Jensen

he Queen Mary J. Female Artist – Soul/R&B. Blige musically. The album was born Blige traveled across will also appear on The Tonight in a whirlwind 20 days – 10 days the Atlantic to record Show Starring Jimmy Fallon writing and 10 days recording – and her new album, The on December 1 and on A Very finds Blige forging vital creative London Sessions but GRAMMY Christmas, a one-hour connections with some of today’s Tshe’s back home and ready to entertainment special that will air most celebrated U.K. musical share her new music and the story on December 5 on CBS. talent, including Disclosure, Eg behind the album during her visit White, Emile Sandé, Jimmy Napes, With The London Sessions, her to The Ellen DeGeneres Show Naughty Boy, SAM ROMANS 13th studio album and first for today, where she will perform and Sam Smith. Many of the artists Capitol Records, the legendary Right Now. She will perform at she had not even met prior to their artist took a leap of faith and the 2014 American Music Awards, sessions together. The album will ventured far out of her comfort airing live on Sunday, November be released on December 2. zone, both geographically and 23, on ABC and has been honored with a nomination for Favorite Dear EarthTalk: What are the potential health and environmental impacts of so many genetically engineered organisms in our food supply?

| By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

roponents of genetic impact of GE in agriculture so far rounds of GE crops engineered engineering (GE)— is the phenomenon of pesticide to tolerate these older chemicals. whereby DNA from resistance,” reports UCS, adding UCS worries that the process unrelated species is that millions of acres of American repeating itself is only leading us combined to produce farmland are infested by weeds down the path of plants evolving Pimproved or novel organisms— that have become resistant to quickly to overcome our defenses insist that the benefits of increased Monsanto’s popular herbicide however technically brilliant they crop yields and less agricultural glyphosate (known to most by its may be. waste outweigh the potential trade name Roundup). “Overuse As for health risks, UCS risks, but many environmental of Monsanto’s ‘Roundup Ready’ acknowledges that eating refined and public health advocates aren’t trait, which is engineered to tolerate products derived from GE crops is convinced. the herbicide, has promoted unlikely to cause health problems, the accelerated development According to the Union of but maintains that inserting a gene of resistance in several weed Concerned Scientists (UCS), from one organism into another species.” one risk of GE is that our new could still have unintended health “frankencrops” could become As a result, farmers are now turning consequences. For example, those invasive, toxic to wildlife, or to older, more toxic herbicides— with food-borne allergies could dangerous in other as-yet unknown and agribusiness companies are be at increased risk for reactions ways. “But the most damaging responding in kind with new given the combination of genes in what looks like any other vegetable or piece of fruit. “This that Americans can decide for phenomenon was documented in themselves whether or not to take 1996, as soybeans with a Brazil the risk of eating GE foods. nut gene—added to improve their CONTACTS: UCS, www.ucsusa. value as animal feed—produced org; Just Label It, justlabelit.org. an allergic response in test subjects Send questions to: earthtalk@ with Brazil nut allergies,” reports emagazine.com UCS. Given these risks, some 21 countries and the European Union (EU) have instituted policies requiring foods created with GE technology to be labeled as such so consumers can know what they are buying and putting into their mouths. EU rules mandate that if any ingredient in a food has 0.9 percent or higher of genetically modified organisms, it must be marked accordingly on its packaging. Environmentalists in the U.S. would like to see the federal government put in place a similar policy—research from the non-profit Just Label It found nine in 10 Americans to be in favor of mandated GE labeling—but lobbying interests from agricultural states with a vested interest in selling more GE products still hold lots of sway over elected officials. So for now, Americans concerned about what’s in their food will need to do their own homework regarding what’s safe to put on their dinner tables. Luckily some natural foods retailers are making it easier for consumers intent on avoiding GE foods. Whole Foods, for one, is working toward full disclosure via labeling in regard to which of the foods on its store shelves contain GE ingredients. While Whole Foods may be a pioneer in this regard, environmentalists are hoping other U.S. grocery store chains will follow suit so Home Ownership Financial= Freedom REFINANCE OR PURCHASES FHA / FHA 203K LOANS Put your CONVENTIONAL LOANS Let me help money to REVERSE MORTGAGES you get into work for you! the home you Stop renting! JUMBO LOANS deserve VA LOANS

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oyful? Just how am I something in return. It really is each team. I decided to be a server, supposed to do that? that simple. Yet giving without which gave me the opportunity to Or be that? What is joy expecting to receive is challenging assist the order takers by getting anyway? to our lesser ego, that part of plates of food and bringing them ourselves that seeks validation and to the tables. I also got to meet and I have to admit that I am is crushed when we don’t get it. greet folks and pay close attention Jhappy when I get the things I want; to their needs. or get to be with someone with I was asked by a dear friend to whom I want to share my time accompany her to a church this Deeply touched by the generosity and energy. I feel rapture when I Thanksgiving to serve meals. of spirit and love that permeated have a new love or get another car. I did not know what to expect. the dining room, I immersed (I’ve had 47 of them and I still get However, I was very excited myself in the environment... excited!) I can even feel ecstasy because I’d never done anything listening, sharing, encouraging, when more money mystically like that before. Tables were neatly laughing. There was plenty of falls into my lap. But joy...that’s arranged to seat six and were food and the server crew packed an elusive one and I finally figured covered with colorful cloths with up bundles of take-away packages out why. autumnal centerpieces featuring for those present and shut-ins small pumpkins and gourds. who were unable to take part in Because true joy has nothing to do Volunteers were assigned to the Thanksgiving meal. And what with me and my wants and needs teams of order takers, runners and a delicious meal it was! Roasted or desires. I get to experience joy servers, with four tables given to turkey with all the fixings, green when I do something for someone beans, beets, mashed and sweet else without any expectation of potatoes and a special dessert of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. One little fellow put so much whipped cream in his cup of hot chocolate that he could only manage a bite or two of dinner. Along with his packaged meal, I sent him home with an extra packet of cocoa. The big smile he gave me warmed my heart. Although I was not with my biological family members for the holiday, I can honestly say that I felt like a part of a bigger family. It was as though I was serving at a fine restaurant with the warmest, kindest, most grateful clientele ever. When I looked around the room, I experienced deep stirrings of gratitude and joy, empathy and compassion. “These people are me... I have felt alone or like no one cared about me. I’ve had hard times and somehow made it through.” Although I’d thought that I was there to do something for someone, everyone in that room helped me feel a little more connected to them and to that universal spirit that connects all of us. So the next time I want to feel JOY, I know what to do. I plan to step out of myself and do something for someone else, just because it feels so good! In fact, I know where I’ll be this Christmas Eve!

| By Morgan Hillsinger

Still shrouded in abandonment This old mine Is fighting the dust and cold Afraid to close the going concern Although she says it’s long past time

Seeping in the cracks in the Franklins is the Occasional rain of human kindness She looks the other way in denial Face like granite Though, surprisingly, life can still be found there

In the feral felines The empty plates at the foot of the mountains The faded smile lines Evidence that hope springs eternal We sit at the foot of her bed And wait.

BETTYE LAVETTE IS “WORTHY” | By Lillian Jensen ettye Lavette is starting On Worthy, Bettye revisits extremely reflective, visceral, 2015 with a big Dylan with the opening track yet at the same time, vulnerable bang. The inimitable “Unbelievable,” with a funky album. “Where a Life Goes” is and legendary R&B urgency introduced into the song, a conversation between Bettye songstress is coming not present in the original. On and her deceased sister. When Bout with a new album - Worthy- “When I Was a Young Girl,” she she sings the Lennon/McCartney on January 27th. Worthy reunites slides effortlessly into a slinky track “Wait” and the title track her with Joe Henry, this time groove which Chris Youlden of “Worthy,” Bettye is at her most around with the two of them co- Savoy Brown probably never insightful and satisfied. Perhaps, producing. imagined. “Bless Us All” is as the most heart-wrenching tunes relevant now as when Mickey of the lot may be “Undamned” Bettye will be world premièring Newbury wrote it decades ago, filled with quiet desperation, and selections from Worthy at the while her rendition of Joe Henry’s “Just Between You and Me and renowned Café Carlyle in New own “Stop” is jazzy, soulful and the Wall You’re a Fool,” on which York City starting January 27- reminds one not to dare try to stop she wears her tattered and battered 31 and again February 3-7 her. The musicians on the album heart on her sleeve. (celebrating her 69th birthday all brought their A-game to the at the show on the 29th). The plate: Jay Bellerose on drums Worthy will be released on CD, prestigious residency kicks off a 4 and percussion, Doyle Bramall vinyl, and a “Deluxe Edition” month promotional tour of North II on guitar, Chris Bruce on bass which will contain both the CD America, the UK and Europe, and Patrick Warren on Piano, and a live DVD of Bettye’s June including stops in Chicago, Los Hammond organ and Chamberlin. 2014 concert at the Jazz Café in Angeles, San Francisco, London London. and Amsterdam. Worthy is comprised of a special selection of songs making for an 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. Whatever your needs, whatever your schedule, Cathy will make you feel comfortable. And secure in knowing, at last, you’ve come to the right place.

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The Benefit Of Dyke Drama | By Juno Parrenas,˜ PhD

an Francisco’s one as a bat in slick PVC. Forgive me, was guilty of provoking her ex- and only lesbian bar, but this was in the late 1990s when partner. Ultimately, the only one to The Lexington, has everyone seemed to be wearing blame is the person who decided closed. Once those PVC without a care or awareness to commit that act of violence. doors are permanently of its carbon footprint. At the bar, I By throwing that drink across the Sshut, once the music stops and met the kind of person whom I go room, the hottie’s ex-girlfriend once the drinks are drained, so, ga-ga for: a fashionable and boyish brought attention to herself as an too, will lesbian bar culture. This hottie who recently returned from abusive person who crossed a line. is seriously the end of lesbian the gay games where she played By stooping to such a level, she social relations as we once knew it. soccer. Right when we kissed, her humiliated herself. For most of the twentieth century, ex-girlfriend emerged from the This fight played out beyond the the bar was how we got to know crowd and threw a drink at her, ex-couple and into the community. others with complementing sexual glass and all. This encounter was To me, it proves the point that desires and tastes. It was through my first with lesbian domestic lesbian bar culture is about the bars that we could find and build violence. good times and the bad, including a community organized around I can only imagine that such an this kind of “dyke drama.” And sexual identity. We are forced to act of violence was meant to be that’s a good thing. Domestic shift from a bar community to a humiliating for the one getting hit. violence, when taking place barred community, one where the I certainly felt humiliated, having publicly, has the opportunity to previous ways of flesh and blood felt that I unknowingly instigated become a community-wide issue social networking are no longer the turn of events. Yet, to think of for reflection. If we retreat into the available. myself as the one instigating the spaces of our homes for all of our In this moment, it is hard not events is to blame the wrong party. social relations, then we would lose to indulge nostalgia. My most Likewise, it would be wrong to out on that sense of community memorable experience was going say that the hottie who kissed me responsibility. Inside our homes, one Halloween when I was dressed no one can witness abuse; no one can force us to be accountable for abusive actions. When community retreats from public space, we lose accountability towards each other. What happened to hottie? I heard she left San Francisco. My connection with her ended faster than it developed. As soon as the drink was thrown, I was too scared to do anything but to leave the bar. I was under-aged. And that’s a bad thing about bar culture: it has age restrictions. When losing semi-public queer and lesbian space like the Lex, what will fill the void? Can we meet others in better places than bars?

HOT SPOTS | By Dian Katz, MS

leaders to support Trevor’s life- saving, life-affirming work for LGBTQ youth in crisis,” say Trevor. For more info: www. thetrevorproject.org/site/ trevorlivela. You know, we all might need a lawyer from time to time. And

e did it!!! We TREVORLIVE at the Hollywood made it through Palladium on December 7th in 2014! It’s almost Los Angeles, California! This is winter and the a not-to-miss event! The evening well, come on, THEY need to holidays will involves dinner, entertainment let down their hair!! These are soon be upon us....!! It’s such and a silent auction. And let W people too, yanno!! So.... I have a mystical time of the year.. me tell you, Trevor celebrates an event exclusively for you lesbo Festivities surround us. The spirit in Hollywood style! Camera! lawyers!!! GAY AND LESBIAN of celebration can be felt around Lights! Action! There will be LAWYERS NETWORK the globe... and here is your little glamour, celebrities and so HOLIDAY PARTY 2014 in Fort Hotspots reporter... moi, trying much more. I have been to Lauderdale, Florida!!! Party on to gather all of the Hotspots from TrevorLive and let me tell you, ladies on December 11th from around the world to share with it’s glitzy and it’s exciting! 6-9 at the Blue Martini in the you and you and you! LN has And also, I absolutely love, Galleria Mall - 2432 East Sunrise come a long ways, baby and I’m love, love what they are about. Blvd. Cover charge is $10 and glad we can rock the end of the TrevorLIVE presented by Wells there will be a complimentary year and welcome in a new one Fargo is a signature semi-annual buffet and drink! Do you think if together!!! event of The Trevor Project, they can’t afford the cover, they the nation’s leading provider of THE TREVOR PROJECT can get in pro bono? LOL.. oh crisis intervention and suicide how I jest! I wish Judge Milian prevention services to lesbian, and Judge Judy would be there gay, bisexual, transgender and but sigh, I don’t think they are questioning (LGBTQ) youth. you knows... I’m sure they can TrevorLIVE brings together still attend!!!! Ahem, annnnyway, top entertainers and corporate this ones for you lady lawyers. which supports our LGBT And I will fight for you!!! Oh youth will be hosting its annual sorry, sorry. I just always wanted 1/2 to say that! I heard it on a our community will only help us The hotel is contemporary and commercial. If you are interested further our marketing and sales in geared for those trendy types. in this fabulous event,: www. the mainstream public! It’s time!! You know the lesbo kind. I see glln.org/uncategorized/holiday- For more information on this them all of the time in West party-2014/. amazing conference, go to: www. Hollywood also known as communitymarketinginc.com/ WeHo. Those little trend setters! Ladies of Las Vegas, I have a education-and-conferences/ Yeah you know who you are!! Hotspot for you!!! On December international-conference-on- You’ll love this hotel! Are you 7-9, the Community Marketing gay-lesbian-tourism/. planning a trip to lesbo London? Inc. organization is hosting If so, I have now given you two Since we are international, in types of hotels to stay at. One is the upcoming months, I will more elegant, the other is more be exploring events, lodging modern. I know how much you and entertainment around the knows LOVE variety!! For more globe. After doing my research, information on the Metropolitan: I have discovered that London, www.worldrainbowhotels.com/ England has a pretty big lesbian europe/uk/london/metropolitan- and gay community! Not that by-como. this fact surprises you since we are everywhere!!! However, it’s Well ladies, we did it again. We fun to know that there are big enjoyed another year of fabulous cities throughout the world that Hotspots. From the east to the host parties and events for us west, from the desert to the and have gay friendly hotels and sea... from the mountains to the dining. I thought I’d give you a north and south... We celebrated few hotels I have stumbled upon everywhere. It’s the holiday its 15TH CONFERENCE that are very gay friendly in the season and so many are alone ON LGBT TOURISM AND UK. NOVOTEL LONDON at this time of year. There are HOSPITALITY at the Bellagio WATERLOO smack in the also plenty who are homeless. in Vegas! CMI says there will middle of Waterloo District of It’s the time when we especially be “over 30 speakers speaking London “almost the opposite need to give. If you can, get out on topics such as the internet, Westminster Abbey” is a 4 star and volunteer somewhere. There marketing, research trends in the hotel that is completely gay are tons of places that could lgbt community, sales techniques, friendly! Of course if you are benefit from your help. Nursing community involvement, press off on a holiday or romantic homes, homeless shelters, lgbt relations and more. Every year vacation, you might want to stay centers and HIV clinics to name CMI brings together leading at this beautifully designed hotel. a few. Make a difference, bring a tourism professionals to learn Complete with The Novotel smile to someone’s face.. I want about the gay and lesbian market Waterloo’s Elements Restaurant, to thank you all for hanging in from the experts - the people dine, lodge and stay in this classy there with LN and HOTSPOTS. behind the success stories. place. It gets the seal of Hotspots I sure have appreciated hearing Perfect for marketing and sales approval. For more information: from you and knowing you are executives of tourism boards, www.worldrainbowhotels.com/ reading and looking forward to CVB’s DMOs, accommodations, europe/uk/london/novotel- our magazine each and every tour operators, events, agencies london-waterloo. month. Have a safe holiday and meeting planners.’ How season. Please don’t drink and While in London, there are cool does this sound? A lot of drive and may all of your dreams certainly many more gay friendly you work in the tourism and come true.. Happy Holidays dear places to choose from. I just got hospitality industry and it would readers! another hot, hot, tip. This lovely be fabulous to learn what you place is a 5 star hotel so you can do to better our community! just might want to check out the Anything that brings the $ into METROPOLITAN, LONDON. 2/2 © Hypnocreative | Dreamstime.com THEORHETICALLY SPEAKING Connected | By Nikki McCauley

arkness of decisions, shadow the Misdirections - illusionist, she has perfected, anguish his soul feels she is anything, What appears is real but it really isn’t there everything… she’s with in reach—he rationalizes Secrets, fueled fear of rejection; ignited in passion of incompleteness; perpetuated by pieces of shame… DShe is delicate - she is sanctuary - capable of washing Played, didn’t know the rules, wounds inflicted - left away the sins of his world, like water, washing away hurting his sorrow every time she smiles Arches of sunshine sit on mountaintop of remains Hungry, she hungers for his touch- recalls a memory Forrest falls below - can’t see the trees - her absence, for the souls sake temporarily, numbing heartache - cant see anything I used to be as for this love there is no future Forest of thrills - longing to feel Oh, how we fail Tied to palm of her hand - his finger prints remain… Painting picture of blood stains and piercings of He takes another’s hand misunderstandings The closest to her kind Searching - hoping she will return - hoping she will Secrets creating distance - drawing deceptions - simply slow down people pleasing, slight of hand, Hoping she sees what he sees… She is his soulmate - sublime Wishing she wasn’t witnessing Devoted things… Astonished, by what she is hearing Almost over and she’s willing to let him love her Breathless, he breathes as the one he uses - senses the Last words truth in the reality of - how she came to be his chosen- Please say somethings… Singing, she sings songs of moans - folk tunes of the alive but frozen Her empathetic stare is haunting; as if she is seeing He mixes music escaping into memories of familiar the depths of his desperation scenery of his souls-state… times of times Holding his heart in her eyes - knowing if she blinks- it is over She finishes her last note and he’s letting go… The love they share will die - the moment is long - He asks her to sing it again from her heart releasing it’s a life time unfolding her hold And he begins to dance the love letter of his soul … Gd, I can’t bear this a second longer takes all he has The lights go off breaking free from the secrecy - spilling levels, The hurting is over inadequacy and intimacy Birthing pains He expresses beautifully - as she sings the song of her life before the woman he loves with all of his heart

His body prays up to heaven he pleads unto god - at her feet - he falls

She sits, tearful, waterfalls splash his forehead and she stares… In the reflection of her eyes is, empathy - she fills with his pain

She sings on stage sounds of agony - MERCILESS this display

The silence between phrases - scream for compassion! “Give me room! Allow me to leave!” but trapped before the audience In love with the sound she is producing - frozen in melody- Frozen in theatre, part of the story Shattering, publicly at courage of his vivid confession Unknowing participant, voicing his message Vocal sounds she didn’t know she was capable of echoing… Rapturous while dying For we are not alone here Our closest watching The love and demise of …he my beloved and she his anointed blessing

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appy Holidays! It’s ten. In 2009, as a member of the surprisingly, “Break Your Heart that time of year charitable organization Broadway Right Back”. The title song, “My again, when cool in South Africa, Grande performed Everything”, is beautiful as well. temperatures and and taught music and dance to ©2014 Republic Records perhaps even a children in South Africa. She www.arianagrande.com/ Hglistening icicle or two, bring us seems to care about many issues, together into tribes of warmth and bullying chief among them. A fun album is Neon Trees’ Pop camaraderie. Sometimes music is Psychology released this past Her music is impressive as well. a big part of that camaraderie and it April. Neon Trees is a Utah-based She reminds me of a young usually makes a very well received band made up of Tyler Glenn – Mariah Carey and, in fact, she gift. I thought I’d offer some lead vocals, piano, keyboards, lists Carey and Whitney Houston options for this year, guaranteed to synthesizer, Christopher Allen – as two of her primary influences. being a smile to your loved one’s guitar, vocals, Branden Campbell – Grande’s August release, My faces. bass guitar, vocal, Elaine Bradley - Everything, is filled with fun, drums, percussion, e-drum, vocals I admit I have a soft spot for cute, earworm causing pop newness. and David Charles on guitar. The pocket-sized, Ariana Grande. Check out her Barbarella inspired music is a little alternative, leaning The dimpled South Floridian video of “Break Free” at youtu. toward dance but many on your performer is still, at twenty-one be/L8eRzOYhLuw list might enjoy the upbeat lyrics years of age, truly family oriented. “Love Me harder” with The and tempo. The band’s name She often travels with her mother Weeknd is another hit track from originates from the lighted trees and grandmother in tow and seems the album—view it at youtu.be/ on the In-N-Out Burger signs, to look to them for career advice. g5qU7p7yOY8 which inspired Glenn. In a strange It’s refreshing. She’s a young twist, Campbell’s father installed humanitarian as well, living a It’s hard to pick a favorite but I the exact Neon Trees in the In-N- vegan life and co-founding Kids really enjoyed “Bang Bang” and Out that inspired Glenn while he Who Care at the tender age of was working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. Small world. youtu.be/SYM-RJwSGQ8. I especially liked “Voices in the ©2014 Universal Music Halls” from this album, as well www.tove-lo.com/ as the kicky, autobiographical “First Things First”. “Love in the Enjoy and remember, the gift of 21st Century” is probably the best music is a gift indeed. known work, however. Check ‘Til next month, out the “First Things First” video at youtu.be/NOAeVINQ6Hw. Nat There’s some great creative graphics in the “Sleeping with a Friend” video—youtu.be/ BB7R0ZY9w94 ©2014 Island Def Jam www.fameisdead.com/ Newcomer Tove Lo, who was born Tove Ebba Elsa Nilsson, is an adorable singer and songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Her debut album Queen of the Clouds is new and noteworthy. A favorite from this work was “Thousand Miles”. I’ve always loved the Swedish music scene, so, of course, this one really appealed to me. I received the EP Truth Serum first and was hooked immediately. Lo is a prolific writer and has even written songs for a number of artists, including Icona Pop, Girls Aloud and Cher Lloyd. I expect we’ll hear a lot more from this talented writer/singer. Check out videos of “Not on Drugs” at youtu.be/9-Qkx9TAM10?l ist=UU0sVahwZgKFHjOBax vm-a7Q then view the somewhat disturbing “Habits (Stay High)” at youtu.be/oh2LWWORoiM. One sincerely hopes this video is artistic only and not Lo’s current reality. The Hippie Sabotage remix video is also plenty sufficient, at POSITIVE REFLECTIONS The Spider That Got Away.... | By Dian Katz, MS

ave you ever had a the spider actually was but at So what’s the next thing we do time where a tiny the time, it looked humongous. when we want a spider out of insect ruined your I knew I wouldn’t be able to there? We figure how we are day... or your night? have a good night’s sleep if that going to go kill it. I could pull I have on many spider remained in that corner. I out the vacuum, I thought to Hoccasions, and I find it quite had all of these horrible “what myself. No, that won’t be a good comical. I’d like to share my if” thoughts. What if the spider idea because it’s midnight and I little story with you. Now let me decided to make a web from the will wake someone up. Hmmm. I preface it with saying, I don’t ceiling to my pillow and crawl could throw a shoe at it but what really have a fear of insects. It’s down it while I slept??? What if I miss and the spider crawls just that some little buggers creep if the spider decided to inch its off??? Nope, that’s not a good me out and I’d rather not have to way down the wall and into my idea. I guess I will just have to see them. Take for an example bed and under the covers? The go with the most reasonable spiders. I can see spiders on TV, whole idea of having that spider form of killing a spider... get a I can see spiders in my garden. near me while I slept, gave me Kleenex! Now, I have one minor When they crawl in my house, the heebie jeebies. Again, I don’t dilemma. It’s on the ceiling and I try to get them out and if that think it’s as much fear as it is I can’t reach it standing on my fails, I have to flush the critter just an uncomfortable thought. bed. Now what??? I have to find down the toilet. I simply do not want that spider a chair or stool somewhere in the on me and chomping me in the My story starts out by seeing a house that will be tall enough to middle of my slumber!! spider one evening in the corner get the spider. Ah, at last! I find of my ceiling by the head of one. I maneuver the stool right my bed. I’m not sure how big under the black ten foot long 1/2 spider. I make sure the stool is oo!!! Say it ain’t so!!! I will never work, I tore apart my room still positioned just right and sturdy sleep again!!! I have no idea looking for the damn thing. I enough for me to climb up on. where it is!!!! Call 911!!! Call the pulled my bed out from against Okay, deep breath. Here I go!! I army!!! Do something!!!!! And the wall and vacuumed behind slowly climb up the stool until was this a MR. spider or a MRS. the headboard. I am standing on top of this tall Spider?????? You knooooow You see, the most interesting beast. I am now looking almost Mrs. spider have lots of babies thing happened with my little eye to eye with mister spider. now don’t you!!!!!!!! spider experience. I wasn’t bitten Or then again, it could be Mrs. I desperately look for the spider like I thought might happen. I Spider. Squishing the Kleenex, before it can disappear into the didn’t wake up to something I prepare for war. Time to get darkness. I grab my smartphone crawling on my face or under my that nasty thing and I have to be and get the flashlight app. I blare covers. There was no huge web quick. I have done this before it all over the wall and under the design all around my bed like a and the only technique that bed. I figured the bedroom light canopy. In fact there was no sign works is the “slam technique.” wasn’t bright enough. Sure I of the spider anywhere. So what This is where I do a surprise had the bedroom light on but I exactly is the moral of this story? attack on the spider and BAM! needed even MORE light! Heck, Well, my Grandma used to say, smash my tissue up against it so I needed an arena spotlight!!! “the things we worry about most hard. Although, experience has So I went and got a lamp to add almost never happen.” Grandmas shown this technique to be quite more light to the room. Still, no are always right. Thanks G-Ma! effective, it’s also quite nasty. sign of the spider. Ugh.. Now I This form or killing always have to go to sleep wondering leaves remnants of the spider on WHERE the spider is... my wall. Well, someone has to do it so I guess I will just have I climbed into my bed only this to live with the squished spider time it didn’t feel all snugly. I felt body parts and clean them up the prickly like I just knew something next day. I have to get some sleep was going to come join me in you know!!! This has to be a fast bed and it wasn’t going to be swipe too or spider will jump or something I “liked!!” I turn off slide down it’s web string like a all of the lights. :::::::::::::::::::::cl fireman down the firehouse pole ick::::::::::::::::::: turn them back during an emergency. on. Something felt like it was crawling on my face. Nope, Now mentally prepared for the nothing there. I turn the lights slam technique, I am ready. I back off. ::::::::::::::::::::cli am sturdy, I have the Kleenex ck:::::::::::::::::::: turn the lights in my right hand and ready for back on. I feel something under the action!! Here goes! BAM!! covers!!!! I take my smartphone SQUISH!!!!! YES! BULLS again and use the flashlight app EYE!!! I slowly lift the Kleenex to check under the covers. Nope, waiting to see the disgusting nothing there. I turn out the lights. body parts and guess what I :::::::::::::::::::click:::::::::::::::::: find????? NOTHING!!!!&@!!! turn the lights back on. Ugh!!! ZILCHO!!! NADA!!!! Not even This went on half the night lol. one measly little spider leg!!!! OH EMMMMMM GEEEEEEE!!! Morning comes and there was That only means one thing!!!!!! absolutely no sign of the spider. THE SPIDER GOT AWAY!!!!! I went to work with bloodshot !!Nooooooooooooooooooooooo eyes. When I got home from 2/2 © Trichopcmu | Dreamstime.com MOVIES EYE C

Susan Sontag A STYLE OF RADICAL WILL | By John Esther

n the latest tragic era where the transferring to the University of importance exaggerated but that is intellectual – as an individual, Chicago. for another time.) as an activist, as an American At 17 Sontag married Phillip From there, Sontag became -- is further removed from Rieff, a sociology instructor at one of the foremost American the face of an increasing the University of Chicago, after a intellectuals of America for the monolithic media force, Nancy I 10-day courtship. The couple had next 40 years. She was certainly the D. Kates’ examination of Susan a child when Sontag was 19. The best known American intellectual Sontag (1933-2004) offers a marriage lasted 8 years. Sontag of the time who happened to be a beaming, optimistic reflection would never marry again or have woman. regarding the humanistic value in another child. living a life where thinking, sex, Of course, Sontag disregarded love and activism are engaged at Although she had some fiction and rightfully so, being labeled the highest and best levels. published, in 1964 Sontag as a “woman writer.” Like made waves with her first major any authentic feminist, Sontag Born Susan Rosenblatt, as a child essay, “Notes on Camp,” which loathed Cartesian paradigms Sontag was a voracious reader and embraced lowbrow entertainment where subjects were categorized thinker. At the age of 14 she had while illustrating that the gay (although she did some labeling become editor of her high school community may have a different of her own). She also found sexual paper where she began to write aesthetic for the simple reason orientation something that should articles questioning America’s the gay community was treated not be bounded by binary male/ grand destiny. She graduated from differently. (Personally, I find female systems. high school when she was 15 and the essay troublesome and its entered undergraduate studies at Indeed. Sontag may have married University of Berkeley before Rieff , the Russian poet Joseph wrote about love without flinching but she would not “officially come out” in the traditional narrative sense. She also wrote about photography, philosophy, art, culture, politics, film, literature and politics. For Sontag, these were contemporary subjects any legitimate writer would have to address. And they would have to come from an antagonistic viewpoint. This attitude did not always result with Sontag contrarian to her subjects (see her “Godard” essay in Styles of Radical Will or “Camus’ Notebooks” in Against Interpretation) but she was never an “intellectual on the side of executioners.” While writing numerous works, loving many women and a few men and seemingly the subject of many of photographer, Sontag also went to places like Vietnam and Sarajevo to watch, view and report on the atrocities of war. She also had cancer twice and beat it. Here was a person who lived! Debuting in December on HBO, Regarding Susan Sontag uses a tremendous amount of interviews, research, data, and strip collages to show considerable regard for its subject. However, it is not void Brodsky and American artist Semitic background, influenced of criticisms either. Sontag could Jasper Johns but Sontag had also her writing. be quite unpleasant and misguided had relationships with writer at times. Nonetheless, I imagine “My desire to write is connected to Harriet Sohmers Zwerling, Cuban Sontag – who I happily met in the my homosexuality,” Sontag wrote playwright Maria Irene Fornés, early 1990s -- would be content in 1959. “I need the identity as a French actor Nicole Stéphane, with this look at her life. weapon to match the weapon that choreographer Lucinda Childs society has against me. I am just and American photographer Annie becoming aware of how guilty I Leibovitz. feel being queer.” Kates spends a good amount Of course, by the time the mid- of time examining these 1960s rolled around Sontag did relationships and how Sontag’s not feel guilty about being queer. sexual orientation, along with her She was just subtle about it. She Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury. Aggressive representation with personal service. 562.498.4600 Colleen M. Pratt www.apinjurylawyers.com Attorney at Law Happy Woofgiving: 3 Doggy Health Hazards to Avoid during the Holiday’s.

onsider this: Every 1. DOGGY HAZARD #1: which can cause painful doggy year, countless dogs LEFT OUT LEFTOVERS tooth fractures. in Los Angeles head Many dogs get sick not from being So when Fido is begging for a treat to the vet after the fed directly but because they under the table with big puppy dog holidays-- many climb up on the table and eat huge eyes, what can you safely give suffering from digestive problems C quantities of food when humans your gour-mutt instead? and canine pancreatitis -- because aren’t there. they’ve eaten things they really Dr. Bellows recommends Milk- shouldn’t. 2. DOGGY HAZARD #2: Bone Brushing Chews for FOOD NO-NOS Christmas-- a bone that tastes like So how can you say “Bone Appetit” a treat, cleans like a toothbrush, to Fido on Christmas while still Don’t give your dog turkey skin, and can be found in a regular keeping your hungry hound happy turkey or poultry bones, onions, supermarket. Instead of the and healthy? grapes, raisins, fatty foods, or other hazards of human holiday foods, holiday items that are harmful or According to veterinarian Dr. Milk-Bone Brushing Chews taste toxic to dogs. Jan Bellows and Milk-Bone, Los great to dogs, remove tartar build- Angeles dog parents can start by 3. DOGGY HAZARD #3: up, improve smelly doggy breath, avoiding these Top 3 major doggy DENTAL DAMAGERS and keep lucky labs happily health hazards: occupied during the holiday meal. Avoid plastic bones, ice cubes, antlers, and bully sticks -- all of © Urbans78 | Dreamstime.com Words That make sense Be Your Own Advocate | By Toni Hart

ith today’s to their attention. It’s also a great tasks. I had dozens of tests but medicine, idea to write down a list of your nothing showed up. I had seen we are often questions and/or symptoms and several different doctors and no one ushered quickly go through them one by one to get had come up with an explanation in and out of answers. for my problem only to tell me the doctor’s office with questions it would pass and to take it easy W Doctors are not psychics. They still on our minds. Sometimes we and get plenty of rest. However, have their routine medical tests are too timid or uncomfortable this didn’t seem to help as I was that sometimes do not have all the to confront medical personnel. feeling worse as time went on. answers. However,YOU may hold We “assume” they know all the the clue to what ails you. Open So, in desperation, I made an answers and just meekly accept up to your doctor about anything appointment with yet another their diagnosis. Definitely, don’t strange or unusual that is going specialist and questioned him on be embarrassed. They HAVE on. If you don’t like the answers, my condition. Why was I soooo heard everything before. question, question, question and if tired, why did my heart beat so However, they DON’T always the answers aren’t forthcoming or rapidly, why wasn’t I feeling better. know everything. I’m not saying don’t solve your problem, it may He decided to take one more test that they do not know their business be time to see another doctor. and see if something would show or don’t care but in today’s busy up.....and it did...in spades. I know this from experience. I was world, where physicians have to feeling tired for months and often I was a very sick lady and didn’t see dozens of people a day, they out of breath from even simple know it. I was rushed to the “may” miss something. If so, it’s Emergency Room and then put up to you to follow up and bring it into the regular hospital where I was given test after test to see if the specialists could find the source of my troubles. Fortunately, they didn’t find anything. However, this isn’t the end of my story. They were able to do some procedures that helped me a great deal and made me feel so much better and ready to again join the human race. However, I’m still not out of the woods. Now that I’m out of the hospital, I still have several more specialists to see to do further testing. At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel and for the time being, I am out of danger. The whole point is that I took that extra step to question authority further to find out what was going wrong. I needed to know and felt I could not continue to lie around and hope that an answer would come out of the blue. Because it wasn’t going to happen. So when your health is at stake, don’t be afraid to question further and seek out another health personnel if the answers aren’t working for you.

Amy Landecker Betty Degeneres Dian Katz & Portia de Rossi The Media Awards at the Paley Center

CEO & President, The Paley Mitzi Gaynor Teri Polo & Maia Mitchell Center For Media Maureen Maureen Reidy Dian Katz & Dian Katz Kate Moening Kate Photos by Dian Katz Dian by Photos Norman Lear Katie Stevens 2nd Annual Long Beach Aids Ride FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden

he first week of and hits a high point right mentioned feeling stuck at December starts around December 14. This is times this past year but I have with a blast of a continuation of an intense also seen people making great creative energy, and challenging astrological strides. Often the advances so be ready to ride pattern that began in 2012 and seem to come from “letting Tthe wave! The Full Moon in will continue on into 2015. In go” of situations that are not frenetic Gemini on December our personal lives and globally, leading towards progress. 6 will be energized by positive difficulties arise when we Leaving your comfort zone fiery trines from the Sun and resist change and we become may be exactly what will do the Mercury in Sagittarius to empowered and liberated trick. Put stagnant situations Uranus in Aries and Venus when we initiate it. The push/ and relationships on the back in Sagittarius connecting to pull of this powerful influence burner, favoring activities and Jupiter in Leo. This could be will be palpable this month. connections that show signs of extremely helpful for creative Have the courage to make progress. And don’t be afraid projects and social networking. important changes and don’t be to try new things! Do not let Even your holiday shopping discouraged. Feeling frustrated the past dictate your present could be inspiring during this is part of the equation but each and future decisions. This period, so take advantage of it! little victory towards innovation may sound simple but it’s an will lead to another. important key to working with The last exact Uranus/Pluto the strong planetary vibrations square of the year has already Many of my clients have present during this last month clicked into place in November of the year and next year, too. Winter Solstice falls on December 21, 2014, in tandem with the New Moon in Capricorn. This is a good time to access your personal and professional goals and begin to envision your 2015. Saturn makes its entrance into Sagittarius on December 23, giving us fresh insight into creating positive structure in our lives. Femastrology Horoscopes for December 2014 For all the Signs: Get in touch with your adventurous side, with Sun, Mercury and Venus in lively Sagittarius as the month begins. The Sagittarian vibes work in tandem with Fire Sign energy from Jupiter in Leo and Uranus in Aries, opening doorways to excitement, enthusiasm and lively exchanges. So live it up a little, as things will tend to take on a more serious tone by mid-month, with Mercury and Venus heading into responsible Capricorn. Jupiter Retrograde on December 8 might feel a little bit like a stall but will give us a chance to revisit and reactivate some of the advances we’ve made earlier in the year. Venus in Capricorn lines up with Pluto for a few days right around December 20, so be prepared for some deep insight into the true nature of certain emotional relationships. Astro-Opportunity Days: December 6, 8, 15, 16, 24, 26, 27 and 31. Use these days to increase your potential for success in your endeavors. Aries (March 21-April 19) Sign up for more Libra (September 23-October 22) Make it a happiness! This is not time to get hung up about point to connect to people who share your ideas the things that aren’t working in your life. It’s a time and ideals. Your creative impulses are strong and you to embrace new ideas and experiences that will help could get attention for projects now. Important new you get your big picture into perspective. Your mantra: relationships are on the horizon, so make sure you get Change is good. out there to make connections.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Take a good look at Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Health, your important connections to people. How much money and a sense of well being are coming into energy are you putting out? How much energy are THEY balance. The energy around you is opening up. Take putting out towards you? Embrace those who approach advantage of new found strength and get ready to take you with respect and are showing you they can follow advantage of new opportunities, while enjoying a time through on their promises. Important endings lead to of greater stability. greener pastures in the New Year. Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Gemini (May 21-June 20 ) You’ll be feeling Excellent vibrations surround you. What will you a strong pull towards new relationships, both do with them? Open up to all that is positive in your business and personal. The beginning of this month world. Combine enthusiasm with stable choices and could be full of positive surprises. Don’t try to juggle you’ll have a fabulous month. Feet on the ground, eyes too many balls. Your mantra: Quality not quantity. on the prize!

Cancer (June 21-July 21) This is a time when Capricorn (December 22-January 19) This is you can truly shine in the public arena. Put your an introspective time for Caps. Go within. Take time to best foot forward at work. Your talents will be noticed. look deeply into your own desires for transformation and Powerful forces are at work in your relationship life. It’s change. There are powerful forces at work pushing you a good time for you to align yourself with those who toward the next step in your personal evolution. Tune in. truly “have your back.” Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Where’s the Leo (July 23-August 22) The beginning of the party? Probably wherever you are! Connections month could be extremely fortunate and even to friends and colleagues will be both entertaining and lucky for you. Mix business with pleasure and see what enlightening. Put energy into new things and if you need happens. Many invitations will undoubtedly appear. an opportunity in business, throw the net out. Pick the ones you know you’ll have the most fun with. You could be a great source of happiness and inspiration Pisces (February 19-March 20) If you’ve been for those you love. putting lots of effort into your work you will now see the results. And others will, too. Many powerful Virgo (August 23-September 22) Harmonize and spiritual lessons can become very clear now. Enjoy your beautify your home and connect to family. Then, successes. get ready for a surge of business activity later in the month when planets in Capricorn open up your possibilities. Be mindful about what others say they have to offer. A realistic attitude will insure your success.

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