1 Eastern Caribbean Cruise FEBRUARY 1-8, 2014 $100 OFF PP when you mention “Lesbian News”
Welcome to the way the world should be! We ALWAYS charter the entire ship so you can be out and free!
(800) 631-6277 • OLIVIA.COM
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com Eastern Subscribe Caribbean To Lesbian News Cruise FEBRUARY 1-8, 2014 NOW $100 OFF PP when you mention “Lesbian News”
Welcome to the way the world should be! We ALWAYS charter the entire ship so you Subscribe to Lesbian News on your can be out and free! iPad and access the magazine as well as LN digital extras each month.
(800) 631-6277 • OLIVIA.COM
3 July 2013 Features 12 Positive Reflections By Dian Katz, MS 14 Get In Here, You! CON By John Ester 16 Theorhetorically Speaking By Nikki McCauley TENTS 20 Transgender By Chris Angel Murphy 29 Living Out Inside LN By Sally Sheklow 30 Sperm Donor Genetic Testing 20 LIFE COACH’S CORNER By Sherron Mills 22 QUEERLY QUESTIONING 38 Words That Make Sense 22 MUSIC By Toni Hart 23 BOOKS 38 Alcoholism, The Thinking Disease 24 LOLs By G-O Digillio 27 MOVIES EYE C 30 POETRY 35 THE WEEKENDER Lifestyles 35 TRAVEL 18 Comic of the Month 36 HOT SPOTS By Gladi Adams, PhD 37 FEMASTROLOGY 32 Lucas Silveira Of The Cliks Is A Brand New Man By Michele Khordoc
8-11 Cover Story Lisa Koch (No, It’s Pronounced Coke) Cocks An Eyebrow At The Insanity Of Life. By Nat Burns Cover Photo by Thomas Bliss
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com “ I wish I could tell my younger self it gets better.” It can be hard to be young, but thanks to great organizations like GLSEN, the It Gets Better Project, Point Foundation, Teach For America, and The Trevor Project, we’re all working together to bring help and hope to all young people. Let’s keep making it better. Learn more about Wells Fargo’s commitment to the LGBT community at wellsfargo.com/itgetsbetter.
HAPPY PRIDE FROM WELLS FARGO AND OUR COMMUNITY ALLIANCES
© 2013 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. ECG-947837
5 LESBIAN NEWS
Publisher, Editor in Chief Ella Matthes • Executive Editors Zoe Edgerton and Gladi Adams, PhD • Arts & Culture Editor Terry DeCrescenzo • Entertainment Editor Dian Katz • Film Editor John Esther • International Editor Heather Cassell • Music Editor Nat Burns • Newsbytes Gillian Kelly
Sports Editor Anne Winchester • Travel Editor Barbara Horngren • Columnists and Contributors: Gigi Acevedo, Victoria Bearden, Heather Cassell, Toni Hart, Morag Hillsinger, Lillian Jensen, Dian Katz, Michele Khordoc, Kelly Lynch, Nikki McCauley, Carl Matthes, Chris Angel Murrphy, Kristi Pallino, Juno Parrenas, PhD, Sally Sheklow, Amanda Vallo, Donna Wade • Executive Vice President Stacy Cantrell • Creative Director Karen Jones
• Circulation and Distribution (310) 548-9888 • Board Members Gladi Adams, PhD, Sherri Davison, Carl Matthes, Lee Werbel • LESBIAN NEWS P.O. Box 55 Torrance, CA 90507 www.LesbianNews.com • For Advertising or Print Subscriptions, contact: (310) 548-9888 (800) 458-9888 or [email protected] [email protected] online at LesbianNews.com • National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 • Editorial: Administration: (310) 548-9888 Fax: (310) 548-9588 LN Editor E-mail: [email protected]
Lesbian News (ISSN 0739-1803) is published monthly by LN Publishing, Inc. Contributions of news tips, stories, fiction and photographs are welcome. All submissions become property of Lesbian News and cannot be returned. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising that we deem to be sexually exploitive or offensive. Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in articles or advertising is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of such person or organization. Opinions expressed in Lesbian News are not necessarily those of the Publisher or the Editor in Chief.
Copyright © Lesbian News, 2013. Magazine and/or its contents may not be sold or reproduced in any form whatsoever without the expressed legal consent of the copyright owner. The Lesbian News logo and “Lesbians on Location” are registered trademarks of Lesbian News. Jinx Beers Deborah Bergman Founder and Publisher Publisher 1975-1989 1989-1994
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com 7 Lisa Koch (No, It’s Pronounced Coke) Cocks An Eyebrow At The Insanity Of Life.
By Nat Burns
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com magine a cocktail made up of two parts Bette Midler, one part Cyndi Characters the duo created and profile in skits skew just south of reality but Lauper, three parts Lily Tomlin… and just a dash of parthenogenesis all ring true, such as crunchy granola folk duo Mud, made up of Compost I Morningdew and Dolphin-Free Tuna Womon and the dysfunctional mother- What can one say about an irresistible life force…a spiraling dynamo of daughter country superstars The Spudds—Euomi and Wynotta. And we nature…a lesbian wit with easy follow-through? mustn’t forget the lesbian couple, Ro and Judith, who run the Pussywillow Cove B&B in Port Ludlow. They call themselves part of the SQUEEL Plenty. If you can stop (the Sequim Queer laughing long enough. Unified Ensemble Entertainment League). Lisa Koch is a Lisa has co-written somewhat impertinent intense, funny shows Seattle-based singer and such as The Carpenters: comedian who, at the Uncomfortably Close drop of a hat, can don a To You, Two’s Company, mocking new persona. I’m a Crowd and Deja Whether it’s country Poo. singer Wynotta Spudd, nun Sister Mary Agnes, Together, Koch and Platt environmentalist have toured their own Compost Morningdew, sold-out stage shows, Xena, warrior princess, such as Pretty Girls, blues singer Blind Enid Not Too Bright, Twin Bailey, or ex-President Sisters of Different Cul- George W. Bush, de-sacs, and Desperate the Koch trademark Spuddwives, in theaters cleverness and hilarity all over— in London, come through every New York, San time. Francisco, LA, Chicago, Seattle, Minneapolis An accomplished and Indianapolis. musician, Koch can In addition, yes, there’s also break out into more, much more, song with very little Koch and Platt, dressed prompting. Popular titles she has written and performed include: “Stainies in drag, are part of the The Sequim Gay Men’s Chorus, which includes in my Undies”, “Women’s Health Care Medley”, “I Never Think About D.J. Gommels and Michael Oaks. The four put on a Ham for the Holidays You”, “Beaver Cleaver Fever”, “Hands off my Clam”, “I’m a Middle-Aged program each year. Past titles, usually performed at the Theatre Off Jackson Woman” and, of course, “You Make My Pants Pound”. She even has two in Seattle, have been Ham for the Holidays: A Lard Day’s Night, Ham for musical albums out. You Make My Pants Pound & Other Show Tunes was the Holidays: Wham Bam, Thank You Ham!, Ham for the Holidays: Swine, released in 2002 and Tall Cool Drink was released in 2007. Both feature her Women and Song, Ham for the Holidays: Ham-Ageddan and Ham for the own special blend of wacky, hilarious songs. Even her label, Tongueinchic Holidays: Lard Potion #9. Records, Mamajune Music has that special Lisa Koch touch. Koch has been featured at the National and Michigan Women’s Music Guitar came easily to Koch. She is a self-taught guitarist, though one Festivals, Bumbershoot, the Vancouver Comedy Festival and has appeared would never know it while watching her expert performances, even when onstage with a wealth of talent, including Steve Martin, Janis Ian, Heart, she is off the cuff, playing accompaniment to her cousins in Germany The Indigo Girls, Kate Clinton and Suzanne Westenhoefer. She is a regular as they sing “Lili Marline” in German. (http://www.youtube.com/ performer on Olivia Cruises, has performed on LOGO, and is the recipient watch?v=hLUqJVnhwMs&feature=youtu.be) of a Just Plain Folks Award.
This ever-ready machine of a woman is also an actor. She has appeared It’s been a busy year thus far for the prolific writer, actor, comedian and in The Vagina Monologues, Dirty Blonde, and as the Wicked Witch of the musician. She started the year with two weeks of performances on the Olivia West in The Wizard of Oz onstage. 40th Anniversary cruises. Then she moved on to revise her late father’s tribute show Show Me The Way to Go Home (formerly Demonstrate the As half of the duo, Dos Fallopia, with comedic partner Peggy Platt, a Seattle Place of My Abode). Then she made a book club appearance to create an stand-up comic, Koch combines music, sketch comedy, improvisation, original song based on the Bible. Ummhm. She has recently composed an amazing wit, and a bit of lunacy to produce biting commentary from a off-Broadway musical about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas called 27, woman’s point of view. Working together since the early 90s, Koch and Platt Rue de Fleurus. One of her songs has even been sampled by Jay-Z, and have logged about twenty holiday shows together, with more than twenty- she and her music appear in a recent documentary called Two in a Million. five full-length performances, and countless international appearances. Currently they have released one album —which has achieved cult status— Dos Fallopia sang with the Kansas City Women’s Chorus, and will spend called, My Breasts Are Out of Control, and a video Pretty Girls, Not Too the summer in Indianapolis at the Phoenix Theatre. Then, of course, the Bright. Christmas show Ham for the Holidays for 2013 is scheduled this year for the ACT Theatre in Seattle as part of the Central Heating Lab’s productions. Photo by Sage Alixander Sage by Photo 9 After much chasing and a few missed opportunities, we managed to catch NB: How old were you when you realized you were funny and could up with Koch on an airplane high above middle America where she agreed entertain others? to answer a few questions. LK: I grew up in a very humorous family, but my brother Dave was always NB: Hi Lisa. Where did you grow up? The Northwest? “the funny one”, and I was the “singer”. So all the years I worked with my brother, I didn’t really think I was funny. I was the guitar-playing singer LK: I grew up in Ashland, Oregon. It’s a little cultural oasis in the midst chick. It wasn’t until I went off on my own, fronting other bands and doing of redneckville. It’s solo gigs, that I realized I was pretty funny, too. Then I started writing a very cool little funny songs, and they got laughs. And then I wandered into comedic acting town, home of the and sketch comedy, and got more laughs. But even now, I still think of Oregon Shakespearean myself as a musician first. Festival, Southern Oregon University, and NB: Did you study guitar or was it a natural gift? nestled in the Siskiyou mountain range. It was LK: I am a self-taught guitarist, and ear musician. I got my first guitar at a wonderful place to thirteen, learned four chords in the first hour and was singing “Kumbaya” live, and I still enjoy my and “This Land is Your Land” immediately. It was a perfect instrument visits back to Ashland. for me, because all I wanted to do was sing, and could right away with It’s a pretty magical the guitar. I then locked myself in my room with a Beatles songbook and place. learned to play all the chords I could.
NB: Tell me a little bit NB: Who are your comedic influences? Who makes you laugh about your parents uncontrollably? and your relationships with them. LK: Carol Burnett, big time. The Smothers Brothers, Lily Tomlin, Mel Brooks, French and Saunders, Nichols and May, Firesign Theatre, Second LK: My parents were City, Steve Martin, Woody Allen, Saturday Night Live, Garrison Keillor, both elementary school Christopher Guest. My comedy partner Peggy Platt and my brother David teachers, and wonderful make me laugh until I cry. people. Both their children decided to NB: How did you come up with the characters you portray in your go into the music and show? Observation? acting biz, which could be a parent’s worst LK: Very often, the characters are a mix of someone we actually know, and nightmare. They totally supported us. My dad passed away four years ago, maybe someone we spotted in an airport. Or we’ll put well-known famous and he was a total hoot. Very funny, a beloved teacher in the community, people into an odd setting—giving it a twist. In my Dos Fallopia sketch and quite musical-- he had a great singing voice and played acoustic bass. comedy duo, with comic Peggy Platt, we often create bottom-feeder lounge He was curious about everything and a student of acts like the Colonel life. When I was a kid, our family outings were and Shenille, or really more like field trips. My mother loves to dysfunctional family sing, and is a beautiful classy woman. She’s in her dynamics like Euomi eighties and looks sixty-five. I hope to God I got and Wynotta Spudd. We some of her genes. love political comedy, social commentary, and NB: Any brothers and sisters? always try and work in local references LK: I have one brother, David. He’s a year and wherever we go, to a half older than me. He lives in Seattle, five make it current, topical minutes away from me. and personal.
NB: Who were you closest to, growing up? NB: When you perform, do you do it LK: Dave and I were very close growing up, and spontaneously? Or do started playing music together professionally you plan out most of when I was fifteen and he was seventeen. We got your material? a weekly job at the Mark Antony Hotel in Ashland (nine stories tall!), and the summer I graduated from high school, we started LK: In my Dos Fallopia outings, the shows are scripted, but there is a ton singing five nights a week at a local club. We did that for several years, until of improvisation. We often pull people up onstage, so we have to be on our we both decided to pursue different things. We still work together today— toes. My solo shows are fairly improvisational, as I try to read and react to he directs my theatrical shows— and we occasionally get hired together for each different audience. corporate gigs. He’s a very talented actor, director, musician, and producer. Photo by 1, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, 2, Debra Darmata 2, Debra Theatre, Cabaret 1, Oregon by Photo
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com NB: What was the strangest audience response you remember getting NB: Tell me about your pets. during a show? LK: Currently we have two Maine Coon cats-- sisters named Cagney LK: Well, silence is fairly painful when trying to perform comedy. Oh, and Lacey. They just turned four. We still miss our dear departed Irish one show I did in Hawaii, a woman’s cell phone kept ringing. So I went wolfhound, Ciara. The kitties grew up around Big Dog, and thought she out in the audience with my mic, and as she was talking on her phone, I was their mother. Consequently, Cagney is quite dog-like. Lacey is more took it away from her, asked her who she was talking to, and she said, ‘my like a freakish feral cat. We’re not sure what happened to her. girlfriend’. So I said into the phone, ‘Hi, your girlfriend can’t talk right now, because it’s my fricking show.’ After the concert, she came up to me NB: How many tattoos/piercings do you have? and said, ‘That was SOOO funny when you talked in my phone!’ Clueless. LK: One tattoo on my back, three piercings in my ears.
NB: What’s your average day like?
LK: It all depends. If I’m under a writing deadline, I might stay up all night, go to bed at five am, and then catch six or seven hours sleep and start again. I am most creative at night. I often break up my day with a walk in one of Seattle’s many parks overlooking Puget Sound. I’m fairly boring.
NB: Tell our readers something they might not necessarily know about you. One little secret quirk, a habit, a strong like or dislike.
LK: I can sing like a chipmunk, and twirl a baton.
NB: You live in the Northwest―do you ever get tired of the dampness and rain?
LK: I love the Northwest. The rain doesn’t bother me, and I love the gray. And when the sun comes out, it’s the most beautiful place on the planet. It’s NB: What do you think the average person wants when it comes to a great place to drink coffee and create. comedy? NB: What’s coming up professionally? LK: People just want to laugh. Period. Doesn’t matter if it’s cerebral comedy or total slapstick. If it makes you laugh, it’s a great release, and LK: I am currently doing a five-week run of a Dos Fallopia show in very, very healing. Laughter always makes you Indianapolis, running feel better, lighter, clearer. It releases all those June 13-July 14 at the great endorphins that give you a sense of well- Phoenix Theatre. I’m being. Comedy comes out of tragedy—laughter still working for Olivia gets us through. Travel, a few trips a year. I’ll be traveling NB: You probably don’t have a lot of downtime, to Vietnam-Cambodia but what do you do for fun when you aren’t with Olivia in working? September. I’m hoping to record another CD LK: When I’m home, I love to hang out with my very soon, and I produce family-- my wife, Lynn, and my two giant Maine the holiday show yearly Coon kitties, Cagney and Lacey. And we are very in Seattle —Ham for involved with my niece, Quincy. She’s nine going the Holidays. This year, on seventeen. She is an absolute delight, and a we’ll be at ACT Theatre funny, funny kid. Very musical, and a great little with Ham, so we’re actress. Go figure. pretty excited about that. NB: What do you consider your one really unique feature? Exciting seems to be a good place to stop. The word certainly describes LK: I can touch my nose with my tongue. an artist who appears to see with a deeper sense than many of us. She obviously has a nose for ferreting out the absurd in any situation and has an NB: Are you in a relationship? Would you like to share who that is with incredible talent for mimicry. If you haven’t seen her in person, do yourself our readers? Any children? a favor and buy that ticket. But be prepared to have your hair blown back by the musical comedy force that is Lisa Koch. LK: Wifey Lynn and I have been together going on ten years. No children, but we have lots of great kids in our lives. [email protected] Photo by 1, Debra Darmata, 2,Karbe Beth Darmata, 1, Debra by Photo 11 Positive Reflections Who Will Speak For These Women? They Have No Voice... | By Dian Katz, MS
n some countries, women are still seen as can spend billions of dollars educating these say it is cultural and none of our business is property by men and their families. When women and pissing their governments off just blind and wrong. To allow it to continue Ithey don’t comply to their rules, they are and all it will do is erupt in war. Education will allow it to fester and grow. 20 years often beaten, raped, tortured or worse yet, won’t work because we can’t just educate ago an honor killing in this country was killed. It’s sad to think in this world, at this them and expect them to pack up and leave. virtually unheard of. Not anymore. That so time, these things still happen! Whether If we are going to educate them, we have called culture has bled and infected other in the name of culture, religion, ruling to get them out of there but that is at a huge countries and suppressed their cultures by government, others imposing their beliefs, cost and loss of many lives. On top of that, means of intimidation and cruelty. Make one thing remains... who will speak for the after all is said and done, it is their belief no mistake, this is not something to be rights of these women who have no voice? system and it may not change the way these turning a blind eye to.” people live. They actually believe, in most Horrible things happen to women right cases, that this is the proper way to treat It’s interesting to see such a variety of under our noses here in America. We all a human being, based on their religious responses from good decent people. So have heard of the horrendous crimes in the beliefs.” Another individual said it is time the question we must answer here is “Do news in the past few months. Despicable to clean our own house first before getting we focus on just helping our own or is this crimes such as girls being kidnapped and involved in another’s business. He went really a humanity issue?” Or is this a moral used for sex slaves and atrocious activities. on to say, if we as a country, meaning the issue? Should a human being be subjected However, it is much more secretive and people here, cannot all have necessities of to rape by another human being simply underground in America because there are life, i.e.. shelter, clothing, food and places because she doesn’t want to marry someone laws against these types of crimes. In other to work, then we shouldn’t be spending or because her country says so? Don’t we countries, it isn’t seen as a crime to force a billions elsewhere. not owe it to the women of the world to woman to obey. In some places, if the man find a way to help? A friend of mine said or group of men want to rape a woman, they On the other side of the coin, there were those human rights have no borders. This is so do so and it’s even allowed! Worse yet, if who felt we should act. Some responses true. Think back to World War II when the woman complains or does something included love thy neighbor, universal flow Hitler was killing millions of people. What about the rape, she is seen as the wrongdoer and love. One woman said, “Doing nothing if America decided not to get involved and is severely punished. does nothing. Doing something does because it wasn’t “our” people? Can we something - perhaps making and paving a imagine how things might have turned out? Some of the issues we argue about amongst way can create the right momentum, cross- This too, was a humanity issue. Something each other in the USA, such as gun control boundary alignment, accountability and had to be done! Religion shouldn’t have a and gay marriage - although important - laws that protect the innocent.” She even place in this discussion. The bottom line are in no comparison to being someone’s suggested starting a petition. One gal said the is, it is fundamentally wrong for another property and tortured and raped on a daily issue was not about culture or belief. “How human being to be viewed as property and basis. Some Americans say they don’t want can anyone think that looking the other way when fighting back, sentenced to death. to help women in other countries because is acceptable when a human being is denied It’s wrong for a family to throw away their we must take care of our own. I surveyed the right to her own body and personal daughter like a piece of trash. some folks about this issue asking them to freedoms? Forcing a girl of 14 or younger share their thoughts for this column. I have into a marriage she’s not ready for and does Unfortunately, whatever systems chosen a select few of the responses on both not want is fundamentally wrong. When have been put into place to help these sides of this issue. Let me say that those I she’s threatened with bodily harm and even women in other countries, have failed have chosen to include are extremely bright death, it is not cultural or religious belief. miserably. Of course there are no easy and and very intelligent people who I personally It is criminal and tantamount to slavery and simple answers. What’s important is find know. On the side of not interfering in rape. There is no religious document that some way, any way, to make a start in this other countries mores, here is how a few clearly states torturing, beating, raping and area. These women need our help and need responded: One felt although our country enslaving a person is godly and just. So my a voice to speak for them...whose was founded on freedom, unfortunately response is: Anyone and everyone must do will it be? others were not and we must respect that. whatever humanly possible to put an end She went on to say that she does not feel to heinous and demeaning practices and [email protected] women should be submissive. She said, “We location of said practices is not the point. To
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com 13 GET IN HERE, YOU! | By John Esther
his July 11-21, Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival will run and adorable leads and complimented with excellent music (this is a superb throughout Los Angeles. Now it its 31st year, this year’s festival seems year for film soundtracks at Outfest). Along with Concussion, this ismy Tto be boasting one of its best years in programming. To help you wade favorite feature at Outfest 2013. through the 150-plus films from over a dozen countries at this year’s Outfest, here are capsule reviews for 16 features and documentaries. God Loves Uganda – Fueled by ignorance, self-delusion and hatred, the new-Christian right in Uganda are demanding the death penalty for those Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf – Well, LN is not. North America’s longest who continuously practice homosexuality. In fact, one GLBT rights activist running lesbian publication will host writer-director Anna Margarita Albelo’s is actually killed during the making of Roger Ross William’s documentary. film and its post screening reception during All Girl Friday on July 19. Who’s More lives are at stake. A worthwhile documentary, God Loves Uganda could Afraid of Vagina Wolf tells the story of Anna (Albelo), an impoverished, have used a little a more historical context and a slight bit more honesty. The loveless, boozy, chain smoking, unemployed filmmaker who has just turned documentary leaves you believing Uganda’s “Kill Gays” bill is still on the 40. She wears a Vagina Wolf costume to get by. Life pretty much stinks for books. It is not and it does not have a prayer’s chance of passing anytime in Anna until she meets Katia (Janina Gavankar). Rather than ask Katia out, the foreseeable future. Anna casts her accented new muse in an updated film version of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf. A quirky comedy with a very cute The Happy Sad –A loving couple -- Marcus (Leroy McClain) and Aaron cast, there is a real hidden gem here in the form of Guinevere Turner’s tour- (Charlie Barnett) -- decide to have an open relationship but will their de-force performance as Penelope doing Elizabeth Taylor performing Martha relationship be able to withstand the sharing. Meanwhile a supposedly straight in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Brava. woman, Annie (Sorel Carradine), falls for her cool co-worker, Mandy (Maria Dizzia) after her breakup with Stan (Cameron Scoggins). Stan meanwhile Breaking the Girls – Co-written by Turner, director Jamie Babbit has updated decides to look into men, hooking up with Marcus in the process. Oh and Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (or is it Throw Momma from the Aaron was waiting on Stan and Annie’s table during the breakup. Aye, we Train), into a more perverse, violent version so befitting of our age. A law have seen this kind of film in bourgeois-indie film world before; the film is student working extra jobs, Sara (Agnes Bruckner) has no time for fun until set in a densely populated area – this time New York -- yet the characters she meets Alex (Madeline Zima), a rich woman with a violent streak. Both just keep running into each other; money is not a concern; and by film’s needy in her way, the two soon become close; so close they make a deadly end monogamy rules the narrative. Directed by Rodney Evans (Brother to pact. At least one of them did. If you like your films filled with trope twists, Brother), the saving grace of The Happy Sad is its portrayal of true love in Breaking the Girls may be for you. There is plenty of female sex (albeit a bit the form of Marcus and Aaron. Homophobes would be hard pressed to deny reserved) and quite the attractive cast – most of which can act. Unfortunately, gay love after watching it. some of the film’s better dialogue does not get the delivery it deserves. The Other Shore – Just try using age as an excuse for physical sloth after Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia – Last July, America lost one you see Timothy Wheeler’s documentary on Diana Nyad. One of the greatest of the most intelligent minds it ever produced when Gore Vidal died on long distance swimmers in the world, after failing to swim from Cuba to the last day of the month. Fortunately, we have the “gay” man’s writings Florida, Nyad quit swimming and started her successful career reporting and documentaries such as this one to carry US on. Directed by Nicholas professional sports. But there was a void she felt and so, after 30 years out of Wrathall, this entertaining documentary on the late great writer follows Vidal the water, Diana Nyad releases a Moby Dick-like obsession within herself to through the years. The result is an intelligent, critical, legitimately irrefutable successfully swim those 103 miles – in an area filled with sharks, Portuguese look at the history of the United States. As an extra bonus, the late lefty- man-of-war and stormy weather – after she has past the age of 60. Going turned-softy Christopher Hitchens gets schooled in this one. Ninety minutes behind the scenes with Nyad and those around her, Wheeler uncovers an toward enlightenment. extremely tough, smart woman trying to annihilate the failures of her past. Got gym? Everybody’s Got Somebody…Not Me – Alejandra (Andrea Portal) is a brunette. She drives a new blue Audi, reads a lot and is smitten with María The Most Fun I’ve Had with My Pants On – Featuring some of the best (Naian Daeva), a blonde who is still in high school, comes from a bourgeois location shooting of any American film ever, writer-director-actor Drew family and reads a lot, too. The two talk about authors (mostly male), go Denny and cinematographer Will Basanta’s film relays a stupendous road to museums, sneer at María’s friends and make passionate love. Oh youth. trip between Los Angeles, California and Austin, Texas. Andy (Denny) is Unfortunately, Alejandra needs control. An excellent film by Mexico’s blonde, carefree, adventurous and in charge of dropping her father’s ashes writer-director Raúl Fuentes, consisting of smart writing, sublime black and throughout various parts of the southwest – Mojave, Sedona, White Sands, white cinematography by Jero Rod-Garcia, featuring two highly competent etc. Along for the ride is Liv (Sarah Hagen), a brunette who sort of yins
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival
Andy’s yang around while relaying information about Andy’s father that Bridegroom –Shane Britney Crone and Tom Bridegroom were madly in Andy does not seem to know. And there is a little dog, too. Complimented love until Bridegroom accidentally fell off a roof and died at the age of 29. by the aforementioned scenery, the film with an amusing title also boasts Capturing their love before the tragedy along with the tragic aftermath of the intelligence, two attractive leads and a strong soundtrack. four-story fall, Linda Bloodworth’s documentary is a love-fest for everybody participating in the film. Nobody could do wrong. There are no critics of After Tiller -- There are only four doctors in the U.S. providing third trimester their love or flaws to be pointed out. Everybody is and was wonderful. While abortions. Dr. Shelly Selba, a married lesbian, sees the unborn as “babies” there is nothing wrong with a positive portrayal of the people involved, there not fetuses. This only makes her job that much more challenging. Women is really no tension or cause for the film other than making yet another case and couples come to her under very dire circumstances. At this point in the for marriage equality. Where is the attempt to get one of the Bridegrooms pregnancy the usual scenario is not that the fetus is unwanted, it is the baby on camera? It seems like they are trying to squash their son’s history. Why? is destined to exist under unbearable circumstances. While addressing the What about a first-person examination into their psyche? politics of abortion in the U.S., the primary and valid focus of Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s After Tiller is how it exposes the humanity involved when Lesbiana: A Parallel Revolution – Only about an hour long, Myriam Fougére’s medically terminating a pregnancy. documentary is an all too brief look at the birth of cultural lesbianism during the latter part of the last century. Attempting to free themselves from the male G.B.F. -- Directed by Darren Stein, written by George Northy, this film relays gaze (and slavery), for the first time in American history, very large groups the story about a high school where the latest fashionable accessory is a gay of lesbians came together to form all-lesbian communities, contemplate the best friend. Tanner (an unimpressive Michael J. Willett) is part of an outcast means and ends of a cultural revolution, create artistic responses to patriarchal group until he is accidentally outed. Rather than be shunned by the school’s tropes and sometimes just get together for some plain old sexual hedonism. elite he becomes the most coveted prize. While I like this rather conventional Quick, smart and informative, this documentary is definitely recommended film with a catchy theme, for the most part, especially its conciseness with for those who think lesbian history started with The L Word. language and shots at Mormonism, it wastes too much time on silly scenes rather than explore some of the deeper ideas of consumerism, gender, sexual Big Gay Love – Bob (Jonathan Lisecki) is a successful Los Angeles event orientation and adolescent alienation. In particular, Sophie’s (Molly Tarlov) planner. He has lots of friends, is in search of a new home and has delicious observation that nobody wants a best lesbian friend and the sexism behind it, wit. Unfortunately, due to his weight Bob has a very low impression of may have made for an interesting metanarrative. himself. A bit pudgy but hardly obese, Bob uses his weight as a defense mechanism toward commitment. Why would anybody love a puff like him? Born this Way – In the West Central African country of Cameroon, people Well, Andy (Nicholas Brendon) does but Bob cannot believe it. Maybe he who engage in a same-sex relationship or “look like” she or he would engage should have a liposuction operation. That would make him lovable, right? in a same-sex relationship, can receive up to five years in prison. In fact, Hardly. Occasionally an amusing film, thanks to the dialogue, writer-director although it has the relatively small population of 19.5 million (about the Ringo Le’s film is just too tame and predictable to say anything insightful size of the state of New York), there are more arrests for homosexuality in about body issues in the gay community, let alone the USA at large. And the Cameroon than anywhere else in the world. Then there are the death threats sub-narrative involving Bob’s mom (Ann Walker) is just painful to watch. from neighbors. Plus there are all those familiar fears such as banishment from family, friends, community and church. Trying to turn the tide, splash by Concussion – If only one film makes waves at his year’s Outfest, it would splash, is Alternatives Cameroun, the first LGBT organization in the country. be Concussion. One of my favorites so far this year, writer-director Stacie Directed by Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullmann, Born this Way follows the Passon’s film takes a hard look at romance when the passion is gone yet the freedom fighters on their journey toward acceptance. It is a journey of ups financial arrangement is important enough to carry on the façade of marriage. and downs enhanced by wonderfully brave people, good laughter, fun music Abby (Robin Weigert) is married to Kate (Julie Fain Lawrence). They have and beautiful clothing. money; they have kids; they are living the bourgeois dream. But it is not enough for Abby. So Abby decides to be a daytime prostitute. She is not in it Valencia – Under the behest of Hilary Goldberg and Michelle Tea, 21 for the money; she is in it for the excitement. Thanks to Weigert’s formidable filmmakers adapted a chapter of Tea’s novel, Valencia, with each bringing performance and solid writing and directing from Passon, Concussion is a her or his own edgy vision to the screen for 5-7 minutes. The result is a strong, smart and sassy film likely to stir up a few heated debates. hilarious, smart, amusing, engaging, occasionally annoying, collage of indie filmmaking at its best. And while the interpretations radically vary, the one [email protected] common artistic meme is the excellent portrayal of people living by their own rules. The soundtrack rocks, too. Highly recommended.
15 Theorhetically Speaking Dragon’s Lair- Save the Princess | By Nikki McCauley
nce upon a time, I spent my time in the gratification of pride- Divided - splintered – arriving at “How can this be the only answer A great pleasure that lead me to the spiraling staircases of for me- when it didn’t work for you?” “ And yet, you believe in it Odarkness so strongly— learning early to question parents guidance yet their Located in the twisted recesses, pits and crevasses of many minds- approval is all you want to feed—sifting and separating- farther from the me at the beginning. I’d listen like a famished person - eating of the vine, ego. Accompanied by his imposters - taken to locations for dining experiences – candles, Just want to dance - sing- just wanna’ be the change I see wine and impressive Talings – drenched in the down pouring and on the pages of my imagination stimulated by the pages of the hard there are no umbrellas—every step puddles backs That I check out the library- The tides rising; so, I change the subject – choicer rhetoric Subtle assessment - I speak with the chef- discuss the menu options Papa, your reality is my prison- I have a passion- I know, because of the restaurants in which dine in – He warns me not to eat such I hear it calling - can’t you hear it? Please listen- hear Dharma things – but I believe speaking – you had dreams? SMACK!
Ambiance and specialties seem to break down the fortresses of In my room I cry- my skin stings- my journal caresses me and the cleverest six year old inventions- “What a unique design! It’s holds my thoughts safe from harm- I wish you were there- I know I okay, your safe, I’m coming in. Want to see how you are doing and express myself well - maybe you could explain it to them- I’ll add wondering if you have any friends?” illustrations- I am not you- I have my own way of seeing things-
We eat ice cream- nostalgia’s key - I open places - spaces between Scribbling frantically- You are a prisoner, Mother. Dreams deferred reality and is - the deeply longed for visits to dream dimension— by the indwelling of children- set aside instead of letting us expand wander through wrinkles –times when you were fully you - a friend your field … the gift of life is has become your death sentence – and consulted - systems of hope – systems of belief – where images speak you wear it as a badge of honor in the name of family and there is safety to animate belief. Well, I want something different
Oh Shit, I’m bleeding, SHATTERED glass – I’m back at the dinner table across from woman smiling brightly, In the reflection- the rage of daddy’s eyes… happily sharing her sorrows with mouthful of her coping Mommy! wake up! Comfort snatched away in her pill popping and glasses of coping I pay the check and climb back down from the tree sublime…
Witness the swinging to the pages that other men pen- harbinger - [email protected] standing on the sandy shores between adolescence, adult fantasy and science fiction- trying to live between left brain expectation and right brain creativity –trying to please parental point of view – my head hurts
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com OUTFEST LOS ANGELES LGBT FILM FESTIVAL JULY 11-21, 2013 VISIT OUTFEST.ORG
BREAKING THE GIRLS Saturday | July 20 | 8:30PM
PRESENTED BY
GRAND SPONSORS
BREAKING THE GIRLS Saturday | July 20 | 8:30PM
17 JUDY GOLD THE GOLD STANDARD OF COMEDY | By Gladi Adams, PhD the Multiplex with Judy Gold, The View and her one person show about Jewish Mothers called G-d Doesn’t Pay Rent Here. She is a woman with tons of drive and enthusiasm for life.
LN: When I speak with comedians, I am always curious about which famous comedians inspired their careers?
JG: The person who had a profound effect on me as I began my career was Joan Rivers. The fact that she is still doing comedy, writes every day, has new material and is still at the top of her game, is truly so amazing. She is still so funny and can laugh at herself. She can make fun of herself. I truly respect that her funny factor has never gone down.
LN: Where and when did you get your start in comedy?
JG: I was in college in the 1980’s. Friends dared me to do stand up in the dorm so I did it. This was at a time when everyone was into comedy. It was a big boom time. I did comedy during Happy Hours in bars and clubs as well as college lunch rooms. I grabbed my opportunities wherever I could. In fact these places were the toughest venues I had to work in because the crowds were there to eat and drink and not really ready to listen and laugh. I really was anxious then but now I get anxious when I don’t do comedy. I lose my mind when I take too much of a break. Even when I was pregnant, I was on stage until a week before I delivered. For me it is all about getting stage time which is most important for a comic. To be totally honest, nothing really scares me anymore.
LN: Where was your toughest venue for comedy?
JG: I have performed everywhere you can name so for me it was all about getting stage time. Nothing really scared me. But I do remember one time we were doing an Italian restaurant. The guy who was the MC went on before me was doing all these Mafia jokes He was talking to a guy who turned out to be part of a very big crime family and this MC didn’t know this, of course. Well, during my set, the guy called him over and had him apologize on his knees. When I finished my act and I was about to leave with the MC who had given me a ride, I said, “Why don’t you go out and start the car and I’ll be right out.” I wanted to make sure that I didn’t get blown up if the guy put a bomb in the car. Ha-Ha! All my experiences made me a stronger performer. I don’t think anything can throw me. I don’t get why someone would heckle a performer while they Photo Credit: Leslie Bohm Photography Leslie Credit: Photo are trying to do their job. It’s so disrespectful. nterviewing Judy Gold was like being on the fastest, planning her schedule and keeping me spellbound. craziest, roller coaster ride imaginable. As I listened Immediately I knew that all 6 feet 3 inches of her LN: Complete this sentence for me to her answer my questions, I could visualize her was one of the most capable women I had met on the talking with hand gestures while multi tasking in comedy trail. JG: I am successful because I never give up. It’s true. I Ithe office around her. This lady of laughter could do I soon learned that all of Judy’s skills were not limited am tenacious because there is nothing like a great stand more than two or three things at once. In fact, her level to the comedic field. This entertainer won two Daytime up act and I love to perform. of energy was so enormous that I felt as if she was Emmy’s for her work as a writer/ producer on the Rosie interviewing me, while she was cleaning her kitchen, O’Donnell Show. She appeared on Comedy Central, At
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com LN: Do you have any humanitarian causes that you than my Civil rights. When she told me this, I decided a show about a gay family. I think humor is really the support? If so, why did you pick these particular that she really didn’t get it that I, like every other gay, most palatable form of making a point. You can really causes? deserve to be protected by the same laws as everyone make someone think. People could see this and laugh else. Needless to say, we JG: Funny you would ask because I have been scolded no longer are friends. by the people who represent me who say I do too many How can criminals like benefits. In fact I’m doing one tonight and another Sandusky have more rights tomorrow evening. I really believe that I get my work than we do? But don’t get ethic from my father because he had the most amazing me started because I’ll go work ethic of anyone I’ve known. He said if you give nuts. People are F-- up then the other people win. Also you never fail if you -ing idiots. don’t try. He was my hero. Causes that I really focus on are The Harvey Milk School, Project.ALS, Marriage LN: Do you have a life Equality, AIDS and LGBTQ causes. Long before partner? Marriage Equality became fashionable, I was out there supporting this cause. Also as a Jew, I tend to support JG: Yes, I do but we have my fellow Jews. Because of my volunteer efforts, I have not gotten married yet been honored by a lot of great organizations like Family because she won’t get Quality, Stonewall and UJA of New York who in 2007 married until we have a gave me the “Jewish Mother of the Year Award” which bigger apartment which I gave to my mother. But then I took it back for myself. in New York is close to (Giggle) Because I am a single mom with two kids, I impossible. Right now my don’t have a lot of money to donate. But I can donate two children and I share my time and laughter. I do a lot of benefits for the public a two bedroom, one bath schools here too. The money they get from selling apartment so there is not tickets helps them with their educational programs. I much space here. I also am truly passionate about Marriage Equality. I am so don’t want to get married until the Federal government together. Humor is so powerful when you use it the enraged and I don’t understand why people are not acknowledges us. But I want to tell you my partner right way. supportive of this. We do not get a tax break on the Elysa is amazing. She is wonderful. However, you Federal level. When I pay my taxes, I don’t have the know, when I think of gay couples who have been LN: Do you have any secret passions you could same rights as everyone else. My relationship and my together for 40 years and one dies and the other has no share with us? family are not recognized by the Federal government. rights to inherit the home they built together and the I’ve been talking about Edie Windsor and her wife partner who remained at home has no right to pension JG: I play classical piano. I love to eat. I love food and Thea. She is an incredible woman. She and Thea had benefits, I go nuts. I go f---ing insane. think about it 24 hours a day. I love the elderly. I think to get on a plane and fly to a foreign country to get old people are so unbelievable. They know so much and married and as you know Thea was a paraplegic in a LN: I truly understand. It is a punishment we just dismiss them. My mom is in a Nursing Home wheelchair but someone like Eric Menendez could get for being gay. and when I visit her every other week, I get to hear the married right here in jail. Tell me, what is fair about stories these old people have to tell and there is so much this? All kinds of celebrities can get married and JG: Conservatives want to run the world. They are history there. I have so much respect for old people. their marriages last for 23 hours or two weeks but we constantly trying to make religion a part of government and our rights. This is so wrong. They have no LN: If you weren’t a comic, what would you be respect for our Constitution. doing? Instead they want to run our country with their rules. JG: I think I’d be dead. It is really who I am. Honestly, Well, not while I’m here. I don’t know what I’d do. Comedians always think Women deserve rights and funny. Humor is so powerful. recognition. They fear us as women and lesbians. LN: What makes you laugh?
LN: What is a JG: I love silly. My kids crack me up. They text me typical day like in the car and say silly stuff like you drive like crap. I for you? believe you could never laugh enough so silly is my favorite thing. JG: I like to get up early and make lunches for my LN: I know you are coming to Los Angeles to do kids to take to school. I get “The Judy Show- My Life As A Sitcom.” when will breakfast ready for them you do the show? too. Doing these things is kind of therapeutic for me. JG: My show is at the Geffen Playhouse and runs from When I am here in New June 18 to July 28. I am really proud of it and I hope cannot be legally married and have it recognized. I York, I get to do these things because I like being a lots of people attend. I hope you will be there too. believe people should be outraged by this inequity. If I mother to them. I like to meditate, which sounds crazy married my partner and I was protected by the Federal for someone like me but I need to do it. I also head out LN: Definitely we will be there. We will run up and hug government, how would that affect your life? It simply to the gym and do my workout which is so important and kiss you. Thank you, Judy. would not. To me it is ridiculous that we are denied to me. I write every day and I teach a class called Solo this right. It makes us second class citizens. We are Performance where I teach people to write one person [email protected] trying to become a family and how can that be judged shows and perform in them. I wrote a show with my as wrong. Before the election a friend of mine said she friend Kate Ryan and this is going to open this month was voting for Romney because of taxes. I immediately at the Geffen Theatre in L.A. This show is all about my asked her if she thought her taxes were more important addiction to sitcoms. I’d really like to write and act in 19 TRANSGENDER Life As A Spork: Pulling an Angelina Jolie | By Chris Angel Murphy
y full hysterectomy and oophorectomy aisle of a grocery store I thought I would never regular pain subsided, I was able to differentiate surgery went really well. Much like step foot in again. As I stood there taking in all and realize I had an infection. After I reached my MAngelina Jolie, I essentially look at this of the different kinds of pads, it blew my mind surgeon the next day, I was immediately put on most recent surgery as a preventative surgery. because I hadn’t bought pads since 2008. There antibiotics and switched to Advil. Apparently my Since I already knew of my risks of developing were so many kinds (overnight, long, heavy, etc.). bladder was inflamed and became more irritated cancer by keeping the baby-making organs in my It felt bizarre to be here right back where I started. during the procedure(hard to avoid since it’s there). body, it made more sense to part with them before Ultimately, I was able to grab some and also left They had used a catheter while I was in surgery, so things turned ugly. with a decent supply of food and drinks to get maybe my body hated that, too. Once I switched through my two-day pre-surgery liquid diet. Let medicine, it was smooth sailing. I’ve been on testosterone since August 12th, 2008. it be known: I am sick of miso soup, Gatorade It’s also the same month I began a second puberty and Jello! All in all, this recovery has been much smoother (male) and menopause. In one swoop, my voice than my top surgery. No drains, walking almost would crack as I startled from my first hot flash. Post-surgery was brutal. Those first 24-hours were immediately and more independence. I certainly Basically, my reproductive organs shut down and the most painful of my life. Had I not been loopy could have done without the infection but I had I haven’t had a period since! However, I’ve had from the meds and procedure in itself, I would have the best surgeon with a wonderful team. I also got strange pains and discomfort at times. Feeling reached out to the nurse to explain that peeing was me out of my comfort zone in deciding that I can like I was going crazy, I had an ultrasound… and excruciating. But, I was loopy and thus lacking rock briefs (just an FYI- boxer briefs aren’t pad although painful, they found nothing. At a loss, I words. They told me it wouldn’t hurt at all but friendly). I’ll be bleeding and spotting for some knew that I needed to find a way to make surgery something was wrong. Since I’ve been doing my time but I’ll consider it one last period (and drawn happen. There’s little research currently on why surgeries as outpatient, as soon as I could pee… out, at that) for old time’s sake. Here’s to a life or how but some folks on testosterone as a part of they sent me on my way. I didn’t sleep for a solid without ever having to get a pap smear again and their “gender journey” also experience these pains. 24-hours because I couldn’t stop peeing (every one last surgery on the horizon! hour if not more) or feeling extreme nonstop pain. The procedure itself went smoothly but the days The pain meds didn’t help and I was losing my [email protected] leading up to it were strange. I found myself in the mind. No positions offered me comfort. Once the LIFE COACH’S CORNER A Message from Your Soul | By Kristi Pallino
e were at one time so close! So in tune, through poor habits. You write down your goals but Make a list, and then write down the actions you so much in alignment. Your confidence then your goal list gets buried under stacks of paper. can take each day to create what you want. This will Wwas present, your dreams at the forefront When you are focused you’re a powerful machine keep you in the zone of manifesting your new life of your mind. Your ego had not yet grown and your but all too often your engine fills with sludge, making experience. Then identify any obstacles in your way frustrations were few. it difficult to reach your destination. so you can take measures to rid them.
Being your “Soul” and traveling with you has been I know you search out there for some sense of To hear your soul’s voice more clearly, practice some a ride through many seasons. Lately I see all the freedom, happiness, love and completion. form of meditation. If you believe in God or not, luggage you have upon your back, weighing down this is a powerful way to connect with your internal your physical, emotional, spiritual and mental How do I know you so well? I am your Soul! I have energy—me, your soul! bodies. I am a witness to your depleted energy, your been traveling with you ever since you were born complaints about the situation you are in, the job you and now here we are on this journey of life but you Don’t let this overwhelm you. This is a step-by-step hate, the stale relationship, the lack of finances. are not happy or satisfied. I know all the wealth that process. Let’s again walk hand-in-hand to your new awaits you, if you just learn how to tune into me. life experience! You’re worth the time needed for I know how brilliant you are: intelligent, beautiful, this creating process. funny, creative, healthy, focused and determined. You already have everything you are looking for: But as the days go by, I see that you doubt yourself joy, wealth, creative thought, love, self-confidence If you don’t think you have enough time to connect and procrastinate. You have placed your dreams and your true expression. It is all there inside of you. with your soul, ask yourself what this will cost you on the back burner of your mind, waiting for that on an emotional, spiritual, physical and mental level. “something” to happen before you can really live It’s time to change your perspective on how your life You, my dear, must have a plan! Today is a great day your life fully. is going right now. Instead of dreading something, to start getting to know yourself. With warm regards, ask yourself: “What do I WANT?” Do not let fear or Your Soul I see that you hold your pain in, until it manifests a sense of lack hold you back. [email protected]
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com 21 QUEERLY QUESTIONING Good Evening, Ladies! | By Juno Parrenas, PhD
ate night with my partner at a restaurant often entails when his lesbian-identified professors thirty years his senior understandings of gender, or were resistant to imagining getting gendered female through a warm welcome would invariably use female pronouns by mistake, despite possibilities beyond a rigid binary. At the time, I mistakenly D from waitstaff: “Good evening, ladies!” his requests otherwise. In the moment, he felt that such terms feared that butches were becoming an endangered species and were personal attacks. Later, he was able to imagine the other that the M in FTM stood for misogyny. I was wrong. There As a femme, receiving such a greeting is normal for me, side, of what it might have felt like to use male pronouns on is as much gender diversity as there is sexual diversity, as is even though I still find it a little unsettling whenever I get a person whose gender appeared to be very familiar and yet even apparent among the children of celebrities: the gender of addressed as Ma’am. I began dressing my age this past year different to the gender presentation of their own friends. a transman like Chaz Bono is different from the gender of by replacing hoodies with blazers, which has been met with transfolk like Stephen Ira. this polite form of address that makes me feel older than I wish to feel. Whatever ambivalence I have dissipates, since I The turning point for my partner’s attitude about being know the formal address I get is a response to however which gendered female happened some time between living in way the speaker perceives me. Calling someone ma’am is a Oakland, CA and Boston, MA. It became a question of reaction to a whole nexus of visual cues about gender, class, affinity. With whom did he feel comfortable? With our race and age. straight male friends from the dog park, who would greet him by raising a fist for a fist bump, in which his delayed response For my transguy partner, being addressed as a lady is actually communicated his awkwardness about male-bonding? Or, welcomed. Waitstaff that address us as ‘ladies’ see us as a with the older lesbian friends from the dog park, with whom lesbian couple, which makes him feel good. This greeting for he could talk at length about relationships, life, work and him acknowledges the queer presentation of his ambiguous everything under the sun? He realized his needs about his gender, the queerness of us as a couple and it also recognizes own body were a separate issue from his needs for social our adulthood. There have been way too many times that we and cultural belonging. His body is trans and his social life have been perceived as a very young straight couple! is among queers, solidified through intimate conversations, often over tea and in the presence of furry friends. If that My partner has grown secure with his own gender after is quintessentially lesbian, wouldn’t everybody want to be six years of testosterone, such that he no longer needs identified as such? strangers to mirror his aspired gender presentation. This These fights about pronouns happened in the midst of the did not happen overnight. He told me stories from before early 2000s, when we experienced growing pains in our social [email protected] I met him, before he began hormones or had top surgery, worlds, when many of us struggled to gain more sophisticated Notes From Nat Willie Nelson & Behind The Candelabra | By Nat Burns
o, I’ve always been a Willie Nelson fan. I mean what’s This new release is very much a family effort and includes the year and, of course, the spectacular music had to be released not to love? He’s a persistent outlaw hippie who plays Paula Nelson Band (Nelson’s daughter), Raelyn Nelson Band as a separate album. The work is good, especially if you are a S country music and tries to be about as counter-culture (Nelson’s granddaughter) Lukas Nelson and the Promise of Liberace fan or just love classical music. The piano was actually as a singer can be. I understand he used to be a two pack a the Real, featuring Willie Nelson (Nelson’s son), Insects Vs played by Philip Fortenberry, a Juilliard-trained Liberace stand day smoker. Cigarettes and Robots (Micah Nelson, Nelson’s son), Folk Uke (Amy Nelson, in at the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas. The work features other recreational things. Nelson’s daughter) and Lechuza (Martha Jewell Fowler, new music recorded specifically for the film, backed by the The These days, he lives primarily Nelson’s granddaughter). The prolific singer turned eighty BTC Orchestra and The BTC Singers, alongside an array of in Hawaii, in a solar-powered this past April and this album may be more a taste of the real Liberace’s own recordings. community near neighbors Willie Nelson than any of his previous works. Buy it as soon as named Woody Harrelson and possible. It’s a true keeper. Listening to the album, which features a lot of Michael Douglas’ Kris Kristofferson. voice, I was amazed at how much he really does sound like the Want to do something fun? Go to his website willienelson.com performer. And how much he sort of sounds like Willie Nelson. Nelson began his career back and click on Music then sit back and enjoy how differently in the 1960s and released nine Nelson looked on his early albums. Does anyone else hear the theme from The Twilight Zone? albums that first decade. In the 1970s, he released seventeen 2013 Sony Music Entertainment www.willienelson.com As far as the songs go, most were very show-tuney, not favorites albums, in the 1980s, fourteen, the 1990s, twelve, in the 2000s, of mine but I did appreciate “Kitten on the Keys”, a lighthearted eleven, with an additional fifty-plus compilation albums, overall. lso released this romp of a song and “Love is Blue”, both actually In the 2010s, he has released four. Which brings us to his latest month—a polar recorded by Liberace. work. I confess, I heard this playing in a coffee shop and though Aopposite— is the my ear knew it was Nelson, my psyche didn’t believe it. I soundtrack to Behind the 2013 Elektra Records remember Nelson from the old days. Candelabra, music from the http://www.liberace.org/ HBO film, starring Michael Called Let’s Face the Music and Dance, this album is his Douglas as the bigger than ‘Til next month, second release under the Legacy Recordings contract and has life performer, Liberace. Matt Nat a consistently different sound than many of his other albums. Damon played his partner, [email protected] Made up of jazzy, bluesy, pop and rock standards, Let’s Face the Scott Thorson. The film first Music and Dance, is an amazing presentation of skill and beauty. aired back in May of this
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com BOOKS Lambda Literary Foundation 25th Gala | By Teresa Decrescenzo
ateline New York. The heavens opened and poured more rain in a Dating” has a summer 2013 publish date from Holt. couple of hours than this Angeleno sees in a typical year, even during Done of our heavy rain seasons. It really was awesome in the non – With all this glitz and glamour what was so not special about the event? It was teenage- Valley-girl use of the word. I really mean that it was awesome and the 25th anniversary. I think most in the audience were looking for something I was awestruck. Despite other subway users’ umbrellas dripping on my pin- to set this event apart from other Lammys, past and future. This show was striped finery as commuters swayed and moved their brollies and parasols to no better than last year’s show, which was excellent. No doubt next year’s the undulating rhythms of the train, I managed to arrive at The Great Hall at Lammys will try to top this year’s, as it should. Except for saying several Cooper Union only slightly nostalgic for the nightly 405 ritual. At least times that this is the 25th anniversary and a grainy photo montage at the top you stay dry on the freeway. of the show, this Lammy was essentially a repeat of recent ones. Even M.C. Kate Clinton complained that the “In Memoriam” was too long and slow. Lambda’s executive director, Tony Valenzuela, set the tone for the historic That’s one of the show’s components where I was hoping for a special effort symbolism of having the 25th Anniversary Lammys in a place where Abraham from the producers. Instead of four or five minutes of the LGBT literary Lincoln once stood at the podium where Tony, and eventually many of us in giants we have lost over the past twenty-five years, the “In Memoriam” stuck the audience, would stand before the star-studded evening came to an end. with an obscure list of writers who died during the past year. It was clear that Unfortunately, that’s where the “specialness” of the evening ended. Don’t get most in the audience did not recognize more than a few of those featured. Not me wrong. It was a very entertaining evening. It just wasn’t special. that they shouldn’t be acknowledged, but the 25th demanded more.
Kate Clinton was as on her game as I’ve ever seen her, and I’ve been a fan Chicana writer Cherrie Moraga accepted the Pioneer Award and then spent of Kate’s since the early days when the “two Jennies” shtick was a standard much of her acceptance speech uneasy with the award, including rejecting part of her routine (the reference is to genitori-genitoque, part of the Catholic the title “Pioneer” because of this country’s past history, suggesting that the Tantum Ergo – you kind of had to be there). Kate was witty and sharp, as award be renamed something like “Vanguard.” It was unclear ultimately funny when she had to go off script as when she delivered punch lines as whether she was happy or unhappy to have been chosen for the written. She got so tongue-tied with one joke that she finally muttered, “why prestigious honor. even bother at this point?,” which was so self-deprecatingly amusing that everyone roared approvingly. The two youngsters who were selected as winners of the Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award were charming and earnest. Sassafras Lowrey has I once told Tyne Daly that I was grateful that I had been allowed to live long not stopped blogging excitedly about it since she first learned that she won the enough to hear her sing a remarkable arrangement of the old Buddy Holly prize. It will be fun to watch what she does next. classic, “Oh Boy.” I felt exactly the same way at the Lammys when I sat transfixed, as sixty-two year old folk-singer Janis Ian sang, “At Seventeen.” The winners in the nearly two dozen awards categories did not include many The young people in the audience didn’t quite know what to make of the surprises. As expected, Jeanette Winterson took the Lammy in the “Lesbian standing ovation led by those of us who are close to Ian’s age, but the Memoir” category, with “Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?” The young audience members joined us enthusiastically in saluting the multiple- shocker of the night was not only that Rachel Gold didn’t win a Lammy in Grammy-winner. In case you either don’t know who Ian is, or haven’t seen the “Transgender Fiction” category for “Being Emily,” but that an anthology her perform, there’s a 1976 live performance on YouTube you won. Makes no sense to me, but the repeated changes of categories has been should not miss. a source of frustration for me for a while now. Another surprise was that, once again, the eloquent Carol Anshaw did not win in the “Lesbian Fiction” The presentations themselves were engaging enough, with a few memorable category. The New York Times praised Anshaw’s ability to “dissect how one highlights, including writer and Professor Karla Jay on stage with her guide event or choice can alter the trajectory of a life, how a fork in the road can lead dog. Jay is one of a half-dozen people who literally pulled the Lambda to wholly unexpected and divergent outcomes.” In my opinion, if you read no Literary Foundation from the financial precipice less than a decade ago. She other books this year, read “Carry the One” and “Why Be Happy When You is a remarkable woman who has not let the gradual loss of her sight hold Could Be Normal?” The Winterson book was previously reviewed in this her back. It was thrilling to see Deacon Maccubbin on stage at a Lammy column. Anshaw writes about a wedding night that goes all wrong when two event again after so many years of absence. Maccubbin and his husband sleepy, stoned people in a car hit and kill a ten year-old girl, and what happens Jim Bennett founded the Lammys and supported the organization through to the lives of a circle of friends and family as a result. I guess it doesn’t pay its formative years. The event had its share of glitterati and literati, including to get a good review from the New York Times, as evidenced by Justin Torres New York Times Op-Ed columnist Frank Bruni, legendary writer John Irving, being overlooked last year by Lambda for his mega-monster smash hit novel, who accepted a special award and won a Lammy on his first nomination, “We the Animals.” and iconic gay writer Edmund White. Randy Jones, the original cowboy in the Village People charmed the audience with his unabashed self-promotion. Another Lammy Awards show is history. Good. Not memorable. Not worthy Carole Radziwill, journalist and novelist, whose touching memoir, “What of a 25th anniversary celebration. Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love” chronicled her efforts to help her young husband manage his cancer was a presenter. Her husband [email protected] died in 1999, at the age of forty. Her novel, “The Widows Guide to Sex and
23 Living In Limbo Photo Exhibit
LESBIANS who’s ON who? LOCATION
Photo by Joshua Barash Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com “Conversations with Coco featuring Jane Fonda” Fund raiser AIDS/LifeCycle LA L.A.GAY & LESBIAN CENTER
Photo by L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center 25 POETRY | By Morag Hillsinger
Someone’s Lesbian Soldier
She works for us in foreign land To keep us safe on homeland’s soil While we sun bathe on local sand And put the lobster on to boil
Death awaits at any turn She stands alert to do her job She’s seen the IED that burns The laugh that turns to mournful sob
We must remember she is there As fireworks light up the sky So we can live without a care And not forget the reason why
Let’s make the most of our freedom!
Graphic Designer Web Sites Mobile Apps Brochures
For more information, please contact [email protected] www.kjonesy.com
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com MOVIES EYE C Kp Duty For Outfest Programming | By John Esther
heartwarming, stories that we relate to, stories that we haven’t heard of. We are in this trend now with the Gay Rights movement that the stories are less about the coming out stories and are more about the three-dimensional character. Back in the day, you would get “the sissy,” and then there were a lot of suicide films, then the gay friend in the minor role -- the bit character and then there were the “coming out” stories. Now we are entering marriage and family so film about being gay are just a part of life and it doesn’t have to be the entire focus of the film.
LN: What advice would you give filmmakers who want to get their films into Outfest?
KP: It all starts with good writing, at least for the narrative based films. A lot of times people want to make a personal story and often times when it rings true it can be the most beloved film. A first time filmmaker wants to tell her or his own story and they want to see themselves on the screen. Even though gay films are becoming more mainstream and we are seeing a lot of LGBT stories, [new filmmakers feel like] they are not seeing their own story, so they come to make a story based on their own real life. What happens is that it is really hard to make a real life story in a movie. I am a teacher and I have always encouraged students to make films as complex as life itself is. However, you can only do so much in two hours. In terms of writing and being able to detach yourself from the truth, the actual facts of what happened, the filmmaker has to be able to get at the essence of the truth and be able to tell that story and not get bogged down by details. You have to get to the deeper truth behind the story that you are trying to tell and I think that happens in the writing process. The other piece of advice I give filmmakers is to get somebody who will be really honest with their feedback for the filmmaker. They need to find that mentor, the person who will give them honest feedback to make the best film that they can. I also think that a lot of filmmakers need to shorten their work. ow in its 31th year, Outfest Film Festival 2013 will run July 11-21 at various LN: Do you have any favorites in this year’s festival? locations throughout Los Angeles. Leading the decisions on what screens at the most prestigious film festival of its kind in the world, is Kristin “KP” Pepe, the N KP: I adore Concussions, which had a lot of buzz after Sundance. It is a fantastic film new Director of Programming. starring Robin Weigert. It talks about this relationship between these two women who
have been together a long time and things have maybe gotten a little stale. Her character Succeeding Kim Yutani, KP has been with Outfest’s Legacy Project since 2008. When goes through a sexual reawakening and the film deals with how she is dealing with a she is not work on LGBT film promotion and preservation, she teaches film at a private bit of a crisis in her relationship. There is another interesting lesbian film, Breaking the K-12 school. In this exclusive interview, we spoke to Pepe about this year’s film festival. Girls, which is Jamie Babbit’s new film. They have a lesbian twist on the well-known Hitchcock film, Strangers on a Train. This is the kind of work where we have very smart Lesbian News: As Director of Programming for Outfest, what are some of your lesbian writers and directors, who ask, “Okay, what can I do now? Let’s do Hitchcock, responsibilities? lesbian style!” It’s a really fun film that we will be showcasing at the Ford Theater. At All Girl Friday, we are premiering Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf, by Anna Margarita Kristin Pepe: As Director of Programming I keep an eye on all four programs: Outfest Albelo, which is a hilarious, all female comedy and it is a bit of an autobiography. Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival, Outfest Fusion LGBT People of Color Film Festival, Outfest UCLA Legacy Project and Outfest Forward. LN: What films or documentaries would you recommend for a younger audience, such as adolescents who want to attend the festival? LN: With regard to Outfest LA, what are some of your day-to-day responsibilities? KP: There is one film called G.B.F. that is going to close the festival. It’s about the goal KP: It is very exciting. I cannot wait for this upcoming film festival. I have a team of for students to want to have a GBF -- a gay best friend, so the film talks about issues in fifteen assistant programmers and I have a team of programmers and we work together high school about coming out and how comfortable it is and that there are some girls to watch over 700 submissions.. who are really supportive and there are some who are a little more superficial who just want the GBF. Kids will enjoy this film. There is a film by the Entin twins, based of the LN: What are some of the most challenging aspects of your new position? novel, Geography Club and it is another high school film. It is very sincere and a gay positive film about what happens when kids want to come out at school. KP: The challenge has really been a fun transition. Right before the festival, we had a groundbreaking program called Fusion Lab where we took over a storefront in LN: As the LGBT community gains equality in America, if it continues on the Highland Park. It was something that was new for all of us – we had to get out of our trajectory it is on right now, how will that affect Outfest in the future years. comfort zone. We showed films and held workshops and we involved the community in Highland Park. That was the first project that I worked on when I got started, so it was a KP: It will be a great place to celebrate the new stories that we’re telling. It will become bit of an exciting thing to work on but it was intense because it was new for everybody. a place for more and more eclectic films. Since the beginning of films, film has always been an agent for social change and we are doing it. And as the stories grow and as our LN: You mentioned that you had over 700 submissions for this year’s film festival. lives are bigger, our stories get bigger. We are dealing with other issues besides the What are some of the things in particular that you are looking for when you pick typical coming out stories. We are getting to deeper issues. a film for Outfest? [email protected] KP: What we are looking for is new stories, unique stories, stories that are touching, 27 Join us for our 17th season of Perpetual Excellence! 2013/2014 Songs of Wisdom Half the Sky: Hear Our Voices This Joint is Jumpin’ Saturday, November 16, 2013 Saturday, March 22, 2014 Saturday, June 21, 2014 8pm 8pm 8pm First Congregational Church of Los Angeles Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Music Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Music 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. 200 S. Grand Ave. 200 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90020 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Hear our voices as we feature a newly Vox will be joined by members of the Vox will welcome guest artist, Jennifer Leitham, commissioned work in this second installment Gay Mens Chorus of Los Angeles. Jazz bassist and vocalist. of the Half the Sky series.
Additional Performances Vox will be singing the National Anthem at the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks game on Thursday, Sept. 12th (7:20 PM). For more information on how you can attend that game visit www.voxfeminala.org or call (310) 922-0025 Join our email list to learn about the special events and opportunities Vox is offering this season. www.voxfeminala.org | 310-922-0025
Photo: kawaboriphotography.com
Media Sponsor The 2013/2014 season is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County This project is supported, in part, by a grant from the Arts Commission. Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles.
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com Living Out MY LESBIAN RESUME | By Sally Sheklow very lesbian has a story. Not just the very few of us like Ellen and Wanda who have risen took – and led – safe-sex workshops, explored the SM scene and saw my one attempt at writing to actual stardom but each regular lesbo who has come out, bucked the patriarchy by porn published in On Our Backs. I wrote and performed “The Sound of Lesbians,” a musical Ebeing herself and continued to thrive in this male-dominated, misogynist world. We are comedy parody (eventually banned by Rogers and Hammerstein’s copyright attorneys) about so totally AWESOME! the VonTramp Family and their lesbian sex therapist. I contributed a monthly advice column to Eugene’s Lavender Network newsmagazine called “Ask Big Sister,” promoting the myriad In case someone ever starts inducting us into some future Lesbian Hall of Fame, I want to get ways to love our bodies, ourselves and each other. my application in. During the 90s, three other dykes, including aforementioned DJ and I started an improv When I first started calling myself a dyke in the early 1970s, I was in college andwomen troupe we dubbed WYMPROV! and we continue performing and raising both dyke visibility were rising. Feminism lifted us up, encouraged our autonomy and urged us to love our bodies, and money for good works to this day. I canvassed, phone-banked and fundraised to fight the ourselves and, as I understood it, each other. I cut my hair -- with my own Swiss army knife homophobes’ and the anti-abortion terrorists. I went to work for the Feminist Women’s Health scissors -- dumped my birth control, joined a softball team and fell in love with our coach. Center, gave presentations on women’s health options, reproductive rights and self-exam and promoted the freedom to love our bodies, ourselves and each other. As a campus lezzie, I did what I could to spread the good news. I spoke on countless gay panels, talked to other students about liberation from gender stereotypes and the importance of loving In 1998 I married the Women’s Music DJ in a nice Jewish wedding. We built a life based on our bodies, ourselves and, naturally each other. I took assertiveness training, studied martial arts loving our bodies, ourselves and each other. and fell in love with our Kung Fu teacher. The next year I wrote my first Living Out column, and was hired to teach in the Women’s In the 80s I subscribed to Lesbian Connection, ventured off to women’s music and comedy Studies department at Portland State University, helping at least some of the next generation festivals, celebrated solstices on womyn’s land, took my car to a lesbian mechanic, surrendered learn about women’s and queer people’s struggles for the freedom to love our bodies, ourselves my backaches to a lesbian chiropractor and shopped at a feminist bookstore. I bought Meg and each other. I’m still teaching Women’s and Queer Studies courses at PSU and still writing Christian, Alix Dobkin and Ferron albums, tuned in to the local Women’s Music radio show and this column. fell in love with the DJ. And I’m still married to the DJ. When the plague hit I took a job with the local AIDS project, visited boyfriends in hospice and made panels for the Names Project Quilt. I learned all about condoms and dental dams, [email protected] 29 SPERM DONOR GENETIC TESTING Questions To Consider In Choosing A Sperm Bank | By Sherron Mills
ecause of dramatic advances in recent years, lesbian couples and single women seeking to Genetic testing is one of the most important new frontiers in medicine. It is also one of the biggest have children using licensed U.S. sperm banks can be more confident that the banks are advances in the history of the sperm banking field. The number of devastating diseases for which Bscreening and testing their donors for serious inheritable conditions. there are now routine screening tests available would have seemed unlikely even a decade ago. However, despite the growing prevalence of genetic testing across sperm banks, you should know As you consider which sperm donor to choose in your journey to motherhood, his general health, that the number of such tests conducted on prospective sperm donors varies among sperm banks, physical characteristics, ethnicity, education and interests – all will be important factors for you to sometimes significantly. Additionally, federal regulators and state licensing authorities (with the consider. Now, with the growing availability of genetic testing, the quality and breadth of a sperm exception of the New York State Department of Health) do not currently require donor genetic bank’s donor testing program is vital information to add into your decision-making process. testing. They do, however, conduct rigorous and regular on-site reviews of all U.S. sperm banks and mandate testing for communicable diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, chlamydia and A Checklist for Donor Genetic Screening and Testing gonorrhea and for sperm quality. The following list includes recommended protocols for donor genetic screening from the What genetic testing does the sperm bank perform on donor applicants? American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It also goes beyond their recommendations to include additional tests performed Given the current lack of regulatory requirements, you may want to check with the sperm bank by select sperm banks. you are considering about its genetic testing protocol for donor applicants. The recommendations developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the American Congress Recommended for All Prospective Sperm Donors of Obstetricians and Gynecologists can be considered today’s “best practices” in this field. The accompanying sidebar, “Checklist for Donor Genetic Screening & Testing,” lists the key Screening: recommendations of both medical societies plus additional tests performed by select sperm banks. • Electrocardiogram for inheritable heart disease. Without knowing it, an individual can have Keep in mind, however, that there is no testing protocol that could possibly cover the limitless a genetic heart defect and pass it on to his offspring, with serious and sometimes life-threatening number of genetic disorders human beings can carry. These range along a broad spectrum from results. harmless to minor to serious to life-threatening. Plus, not all genetic diseases are inherited: Some genetic mutations can occur spontaneously during embryonic development, others through some • Four-generation family health history. Collecting a detailed personal and family history to type of environmental exposure that can manifest at any time of life. The risk of a birth defect eliminate donor candidates who report family histories of serious genetic disorders. resulting from donor insemination, according to leading medical research institutions, is the same as the risk from conceiving naturally, in the range of 2% to 4%. Screening Tests : It is important to know that, while negative or normal test results reduce the possibility of havinga What if there is a report of a medical condition related to a donor or his offspring? child with a genetic disorder, they do not completely eliminate that possibility.
Even the highest quality sperm bank will, on some occasions, learn of a medical condition in a • Cystic fibrosis. CF severely affects breathing and digestion and usually sharply reduces the donor or a donor offspring. You may want to know what procedures your sperm bank would follow patient’s lifespan. This test screens for some of the most common mutations that could passed should this happen. to offspring.
Here is a recommended process: • Hemoglobin fractionation test. Hemoglobin carries oxygen to all our cells. This test shows hemoglobin abnormalities known to cause certain inheritable blood diseases: Every bank should have a procedure that includes a consultation with a geneticist, a determination of whether there may be an increased risk for a medical condition in the donor’s offspring, and – • Thalassemia affects the production of normal hemoglobin. Symptoms can range from mild to depending upon the seriousness of the situation – whether to place the donor’s specimens on hold severe. It is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide. and inform the parents of other children conceived with the donor’s sperm. • Sickle cell anemia results in oxygen deprivation, often provoking painful attacks that can Should it turn out that a serious condition is probably or certainly related to that donor, his be life-threatening. specimens should be permanently discontinued and any sperm previously distributed recalled. • Chromosome analysis. Looks for chromosomal abnormalities associated with Down syndrome, other birth defects, miscarriages and various health and/or learning problems. Should Women Have Some Genetic Testing, Too? • Fragile X syndrome. Test for the most common mutations that cause this leading form of inherited intellectual disability (mental retardation). The gene mutation is carried by as many as 1 A complete medical evaluation of your health before conception should include genetic tests to in 259 females and 1 in 800 males and affects 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 8,000 females. determine if you are a carrier of Fragile X syndrome, cystic fibrosis or spinal muscular atrophy. • Spinal muscular atrophy. A collection of diseases that affect control of muscle movement. Additional genetic counseling prior to pregnancy should also be considered if you: Babies born with SMA usually die as infants or young children.
• Will be 35 or older at delivery. Targeted Genetic Testing for Select Sperm Donor Applicants
• Have a personal or family history of a known or suspected genetic disorder, birth defect or Jewish donors of Ashkenazi and Eastern European ancestry: Tay Sachs, Canavan Disease, chromosomal abnormality. Familial Dysautonomia Bloom syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Gaucher Disease, Glycogen storage disease type 1a, Maple syrup urine disease, Mucolipidosis type iv, and Niemann-Pick disease • Have been exposed to a drug or other substance known or suspected of interfering with fetal type A. development. Non-Jewish donors of French Canadian, Cajun or Irish ancestry: Tay Sachs. • Have a medical condition known or suspected to affect fetal development. Sherron Mills is the Founder and President of Pacific Reproductive Services, Sperm Bank, • Have had two or more pregnancy losses. Fertility & Insemination Services
• Have an ethnic predisposition to certain genetic disorders. Sherron Mills is the Founder and President of Pacific Reproductive Services, Sperm Bank, Fertility & Insemination Services Genetic Disease Prevention: A Breakthrough in Child Health
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com La Mirada Golf Course 15501 E. Alicante Road, La Mirada, CA 90638 [email protected] (562) 943-3731 www.lamiradagc.com Make Your Special Day Truly Memorable We have two gorgeous outdoor settings for your wedding ceremony, each o ering breathtaking views of tree-lined fairways. Exchange your vows in our charming gazebo set along the shoreline of a tranquil lake, or choose the spacious terrace, which o ers amazing views of the emerald-green fairways and beautiful land- scape. Your reception will take place in our Fairway Ballroom with panoramic views of the rolling fairways bordered with sycamores, shagbark-eucalyptus and pines. Accommodate up to 350 guests Large Dance Floor Amazing Executive Chef
31 LUCAS SILVEIRA OF THE CLIKS IS A BRAND NEW MAN
By Michele Khordoc Photo Credit: The Cliks The Credit: Photo
ucas Silveira, the openly transgender lead singer away from home to concentrate on songwriting. He to woman. We also remember Jenna Talackova, the of Toronto alt-rock band The Cliks, returns to the recorded a solo album “Mockingbird” and wrote new 23-year-old who forced Donald Trump to end a ban Lmusic scene after a 5 year-hiatus with the highly- songs for The Cliks next music venture, the blues and on transgender pageant contestants; not to mention ABC anticipated new album dubbed “Black Tie Elevator”, Motown-inspired “Black Tie Elevator”. announcement that Chaz Bono had joined the now available on iTunes. popular “Dancing with Stars” primetime TV show a couple of years ago - controversy is still swirling around. Heavily inspired by the blues, BLACK TIE ELEVATOR was produced by musician/singer/ Learning about transgender lives can break stereotypes songwriter Hill Kourkoutis (Hill & The Sky Heroes, and help audiences see the human side of an issue they The Weeknd) and features soulful tracks that speak to may not have encountered personally. love, loss, and longing. More than a story simply about a transgender’s ordeal, Silveira, now 33, made history in 2006, when he became Lucas’ tale as the frontman of The Cliks is nothing short the first out transgender man to be signed to amajor of admirable and unique. record label. Silveira’s band The Cliks, which formed in 2004, gained widespread acclaim following a stint It is an inspiring personal life journey into happiness and performing alongside artists like Debbie Harry, Rufus being at peace with oneself having found his true voice. Wainwright and Erasure on Cyndi Lauper’s 2007 “True Colors” tour; and after being featured on the soundtrack The LN sat down with the talented Lucas Silveira of the Showtime series “The L Word.” for an exclusive up close and personal look into his extraordinary life and music: After half a decade of living as a man but appearing to most as a woman, he began the formal process of testosterone hormone therapy. The result was a voice LN: How does it feel to be back with new music in that was changed, deeper and huskier, but somehow 2013? more soulful. While transgenderism has been a hot topic lately - particularly with the recent CNN interview of Kristin LS:It feels fantastic. After playing the same songs over In 2010, his rebirth landed him in Brooklyn, NY, a home Beck, a former Navy Seal, who transitioned from man and over again, it feels really exciting to think about
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com getting into rehearsals to play all new songs. I’m sure changed me and my artistic expression. I know this is LS: I’m just Lucas. A guy who’s a musician and a we’ll still play some of the old tunes but this is going to going to sound strange but I truly feel hormones changed songwriter. Oh and I love puppies. be a really big change for us live. my emotional pathways and how I was able to express myself. The first time I noticed I hadn’t cried in over a LN: You’ve been touring the US and Canada lately; LN: How would you describe the sound and year I was really thrown. That’s when I really started How long is the tour scheduled to go on for? production of “Black Tie Elevator”? to pay attention to how I was connecting to creating. It was so different that I still have a hard time explaining LS: For the rest of my life! And with a few breaks in LS: A blend of soul and rock. it. All I can say is that something as visceral as crying between. But seriously, we just keep touring the record being a connection to emotion being suddenly unavailable until we feel the record has been toured enough and then LN: What inspired the album title and name? was something that also we decide to get back in translated into other parts the studio to do the cycle LS: A dream I had years back. Sometimes people think of my emotional process. all over again with a new I’m nuts but I’m, how do you put this, psychically It’s not that I couldn’t record. intuitive. I have dreams that realize themselves in real access my sadness, which life. This specific dream I had about a year before I I write from a lot, but it LN: Is it true that playing recorded the last record Dirty King. In the dream and was definitely a new and live is an addictive in short, I went up an elevator in a massive high rise different route from point thrill? What is it about and fired my ex manager and then went to the roof of A to B now. That happened being on stage in front the same building where I sat with my band and quit to be the case with many of a live audience that the band. As I was coming down the elevator, I saw a other emotions. gets performers that so- black suit rising up my body, creating itself on me. I just called adrenaline rush? remember feeling really happy. Accomplished. And as I LN: Having now hit the ground floor, I remember smiling and when the found your true voice LS: I’m not sure but it door was about to open, I woke up. (literally and figuratively is true. Every time I get speaking), how different off stage I actually feel is this album from your hot. When I first started previous ones? doing it, I thought people were putting things in my LS: It’s completely different. Not only is my drink! But I think it’s just a matter of energy and how voice different but the sound of music is different the audience connects with you. Energy is a powerful comparatively to the old records. I’m not sure what thing and when you’re on stage giving your all trying happened after my voice changed or after I went on to get people’s undivided attention and you succeed, it’s hormones but something about the way I connected to amazing so I would have to think that it’s something my songwriting completely changed. I’m still trying to about that connection of energy that actually does that. figure out whether it’s a personal growth or hormones or everything put together that has sent me in this direction. LN: Any advice you could offer to younger bands? But seeing as I can’t really figure it all out I’m just very happy to accept that the kind of music I’m writing feels LS: Oh plenty. My first one is always get a lawyer. The LN: You recently decided to go through the physical really genuine to me at this point. second is don’t spend money needlessly trying to keep transformation from a woman to a man. How did up with bigger bands. People keep saying to me that you live that experience – were you frightened or LN: Transgenderism has been a hot topic lately; being on the road is what breaks a band and I personally excitedly ready? What is the #1 misconception you wish you could put think that’s bullshit. It will break the bank for sure and to rest or at least provide some clarifications about? leave you sour and not wanting to tour anymore because LS: Scary as Hell and I don’t think you could ever you can’t pay your rent. Spend wisely and don’t print prepare yourself for something like that. It’s like having LS: That being transgender means the same thing to records you’re not going to sell. Use the internet to a baby. You do everyone. People your advantage. If you’re good and you create a viral it and you learn have this idea presence, that will begin to build your audience so that as you go. The that when you are going on the road isn’t a waste of money and energy. scariest was my transgender that The only reason you should ever do that is if you get voice changing you go through on tour with a bigger band that can help build your own but I got through the exact same following, otherwise, don’t do it. it. I’m still process as another changing daily transgender LN: What other projects are you currently and will be for the person does, and working on? rest of my life. It’s nothing could not just a physical be further from LS: We are currently doing a Pledge music campaign thing it’s actually the truth. We’re trying to raise funding for touring. If anyone wants to more intensive all completely pledge, they can go to www.pledgemusic.com/thecliks emotionally. different people It’s a tough world out there and when no one sells After your body with completely records anymore you have to find other ways to get starts changing, different stories. yourselves on the road so we appreciate everyone who then comes Oddly enough gives us money in exchange for something we offer. socialization and though some of perceptions and a whole whack of things I was not those people making those assumptions are transgender For more information about The Cliks go to: www. expecting at all. I’m sort of like Edward Scissorhands. people themselves and they are not giving people who TheCliks.com I’m not finished yet. are different from themselves an opportunity to be individuals. LN: Do you feel the transition has affected your music? LN: How do you define yourself in a world where everything and everyone has to have a label and LS: More than I ever could have imagined. It completely be categorized?
33 Founded in 1983... Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance “In Northeast Los Angeles for good.”
www.ugla.org e-mail: [email protected] P. O. Box 65111, L.A. 90065 (323) 258-8842 AGREE TO DISAGREE Mark B.Gallo, Jr., MA MFT Registered Intern 61657
INDIVIDUAL THERAPY & COUPLES COUNSELING
BEVERLY HILLS & SILVERLAKE OFFICES
323 977 8444 • WestHollywoodTherapist.com
Supervised and employed by Lorraine Rose, PhD, PSY 12803 & Jeffrey Nord, MA, MFT 46775
Guess This Baby’s Name And Win A 1 Month Lesbian News Digital Subscription.
E-mail Your Answer to: [email protected]
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com The Weekender TRAVEL Restore Body and Soul at Mid-Coast Maine – Seaside Paradise the Beach | By Barbara Horngren | By Barbara Horngren s seascapes go, Maine has some of the best crate race and, of course, lobster always available ccording to Dr. Stephen Leatherman, in the world. My favorites can be found in the food tent. According to festival volunteers, beaches are the number one recreational Aalong the state’s mid-coast, a 100-mile it’s prepared in the world’s largest lobster cooker. Adestination for Americans. “Nothing swathe running northeast from above Portland to restores the body and soul like a stay at the Penobscot Bay. To call this region picture postcard There’s a lobster cooking contest, too. The favorite beach. We are naturally drawn to the rhythmic pretty doesn’t even begin to do it justice. With dish of last year’s judges was Seafood Hash with pounding of the waves, as if returning to our its sweep of pine-tree-dotted rocky shorelines, Lobster Hollandaise Sauce – a blend of lobster, primordial beginnings,” he says. dramatic ocean scenery, appealing villages, and sweet and red potatoes, sea scallops, and herbs. fishing-trawler/small-boat harbors, it’s the perfect “It’s similar to corned beef hash, except with Leatherman, who is also known as Dr. Beach, setting for a summertime seaside vacation. lobster,” is how the winning chef described it. should know beaches. The professor and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Most of the towns here offer sightseeing cruises, Lobster can be found on the menus of pretty much Florida International University evaluates some fresh fish and seafood meals and, of course, salty every dining establishment in Rockland, from the 650 of them along U.S. coasts, evaluating these ocean breezes. Some offer more. casual put-on-the-bib-and-dig-in seaside lobster sandy stretches based on 50 criteria, including shanties to the fine-dining, top-chef variety. But, beach width, sand softness, water temperature, For instance, shopping – it’s in mid-coast Maine there’s more to do than eat Maine’s favorite lifeguards, safety record, pollution, and strength that you’ll find Freeport, named the best shopping crustacean here. You can walk on the nearly mile- of currents. Then he comes up with a yearly Top town in New England by Yankee Magazine. L.L. long Rockland Harbor breakwater to visit the 10 list. Bean is here, as well as hundreds of boutiques Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (open weekends
America’s best beach for 2013 is Main Beach and outlet stores. Camden probably has Maine’s and holidays seasonally). It’s an 18-foot square in East Hampton, New York, which was prettiest harbor. You can get great views of it from tower atop a fog signal house. Maine has 63 heavily battered and eroded in October 2012 Camden Harbor Park. If you’d like to stretch your lighthouses, 14 of which are easily accessible to by Superstorm Sandy. Leatherman says Main legs a bit, stroll through town or head for the trails Rockland. Each is unique in design and has its own Beach has largely recovered. “Even the pavilion at Camden Hills State Park. tale of shipwrecks, rescues, legends, and ghosts. overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is standing.” The Owls Head Light State Park holds the next closest. rich and famous flock here, he adds, “lured by a In Boothbay Harbor you’ll find The lighthouse, a 30-foot white-brick conical well-maintained beach that’s been protected by a a floral extravaganza, the Coastal Maine tower, isn’t open to visitors, but the grounds, which conservation easement that dates back more than Botanical Gardens, stretching along the waterfront. guard the entrance of Rockland’s harbor, are. 300 years.” This beach is so revered, according The rose garden is a special treat. Bath has been to Leatherman, he even has seen supermodels named a “Distinctive Destination” by the National Rockland is a good place for a boat ride, too, picking up refuse. Lifeguards stand watch, Trust. It’s easy to see why when you amble through either on one of Maine’s fleet of windjammers making this a safe beach for swimming, and you downtown with its Federal, Italianate, and Queen (you sail through northern Atlantic waters amongst can explore the area, including the quaint village Anne buildings or take a trolley tour of the Bath picturesque islands just offshore), or on the Captain of East Hampton, on a bike -- and if you’re on a Iron Works, a shipyard that has built battleships for Jack Lobster Boat Adventure, a 1-1/4-hour cruise bike you can avoid the hefty beach parking fee. the U.S. Navy since 1884. Brunswick also shows to haul in lobster traps. There are fishing poles on off structures in a variety of architectural styles board, too, so you can try your hand at fishing for The other beaches on Leatherman’s 2013 list and has a 1.25-mile-long scenic walkway along the mackerel and cod. Or you can just sit back and include: Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Androscoggin River. watch for seals, porpoises, and whales, all of which Hawaii; St. George Island State Park, Florida; are known to inhabit these waters. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii; Waimanalo Bay Rockland, perhaps my favorite mid-coast town, Beach Park, Oahu, Hawaii; Barefoot Beach is well known as Maine’s lobster capital, no little And, there are interesting museums in the town Preserve County Park, Bonita Springs, Florida; because it puts on a yearly Maine Lobster Festival – the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center, Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida; (www.mainelobsterfestival.com). This year’s is which exhibits the works of 18th- and 19th- century Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina; the 66th annual, and it runs from July 31-August American artists as well as paintings and drawings Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Massachusetts; 4. Billed as “Five Days of Feasting and Fun on by N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth. and Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South the Fabulous Coast of Maine,” it’s a carnival (rides, The Maine Lighthouse Museum touts itself as Carolina. game booths, exhibition tents) with lobsters – some holding the “largest collection of lighthouse To detect the finer points of each beach on Dr. 20,000 pounds of lobsters. artifacts and mementoes.” Beach’s 2013 list, go to www.drbeach.org. There you also can get information on his new Among the events is the “Big Parade,” featuring For further information on Rockland and mid-coast book, National Geographic, Field Guide to the bands, floats, marching units, and the Sea Goddess Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com. Water’s Edge. It gives insights on beaches, and her Sea Princesses. Also, there are tours of shorelines and riverbanks near and far. the local Coast Guard Station and, usually, a visit [email protected] from and tours of a U.S. Naval ship. There are art shows, a road race, musical entertainment, a lobster
35 HOT SPOTS
| By Dian Katz, MS
ere we are in the middle of summer. It’s fricken’ hot outside. info: www.sdpride.org. Can someone get me some ice cubes? How about one of those Hhuge blocks of ice? Heck, skip it. Just send me to the north Over on the other side of the country, we have a RIDE FOR AIDS in pole for a few weeks. I need to cool off!!!! And... I’m so bummed. My Chicago on July 13-14. This ride is put on by Chicago House which dinosaur blow up float has sprung a leak!!! HA! Not to worry though. is “the first organization in the midwest to provide housing for people I have my noodles!! Oh stop! You know what I’m talking about. Not with HIV and AIDS,” says Chicago House. So you riders out there, this something you eat silly but the kind you put in the pool. Oh, never is the perfect opportunity to get on your bike and ride while making a mind. No one ever listens to me anyway. Yes, yes, I will get on with difference!!! HIV and AIDS still effects a lot of folks and not just from the Hotspots “noodleheads!” our community. It’s in the straight community and your help is needed. For more info: chicagohouse.org. Hey... although our magazine is NOW international
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden July Sun Sign Profile: (June 21-July 21)
oon ruled Cancerians are a pretty resourceful Aries (March 21-April 19) Take stock of Libra (September 23-October 22) As bunch. Although they are known for their “moods,” things going on in and around the home. frustrated as you might be regarding Mthey are motivated, goal-oriented achievers, similar to their polar opposite, Capricorn. If you know a Cancer, There may be some things that need repairing some projects or work situations that haven’t take a look at their eyes. Sexy, limpid pools of mystery. Try that just can’t wait. Family members might be gone as planned, this is a good time for your all you want to figure them out. You’ll only be able to if they a little touchy with you, so try to keep your success. Don’t brood about the past, just show want you to! cool if possible. up, suit up, move forward. Many things are Cancers are sensitive, intuitive, and creative, but also very possible now. strong. They stand out from the crowd when it comes to Taurus (April 20-May 20) You have nurturing, protecting, and caring for those they love. If you all kinds of great ideas right now, but Scorpio (October 23-Novemeber 21) get them to drop their defenses and become a close friend, Saturn is making it hard for you to get some You may be a little tired from some of the you will be considered FAMILY. This is a wonderful trait, but can lead to a sort of clannishness that can make others of them started. Be patient. The obstacles you restrictions Saturn has been throwing at you, feel left out. are facing are very temporary, so why stress but this should improve this month. Follow about it? Work on the things you know you your inspirations. Your impulses and psychic Cancer is associated with the 4th House on the astrological can accomplish. vibes are strong right now, so take advantage wheel, which represents home, family, the past, and parents, particularly the mother. They excel in many fields of the added insight. but have a natural connection to women, kids, real estate, Gemini (May 21-June 20) Some of the and restaurants. Their connections to the people, places, opportunities that have been thrown your Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) and things that represent their tribe are sacred. Because way over the last months might prove to be This could be a rather intense emotional of this, they can become very attached to things that have sentimental value, and often have a great love of antiques very rewarding now. Finances can improve, period for you. Some things are pushing to and collectables. On the down side, they can also become as can job situations. You may feel restless, a conclusion in your life. Let go so you can packrats, holding on to decades worth of memorabilia. but this is a good time to stay put and focus move forward. Someone may push your anger Impress your Cancer gal by buying her an engraved locket on getting ahead. button early in the month. Try not to over- or keychain. She’ll love it! And never, never forget birthdays and holidays. Hallmark was probably invented by a Cancer. react. Cancer (June 21-July 21) Mercury In love they play for keeps. Occasionally, their somewhat Retrograde might bring up some old Capricorn (December 22-January 19) overzealous desire to meld with a lover can turn into a problems for you, but in general, all systems You may not be in the mood for love, but smothering/mothering kind of deal. Cancer is a natural match with Water Signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces, as they share are go, with Lucky Jupiter in your sign head’s up single Capricorns, Cupid is coming a similar emotional wiring and often share a psychic link. now! Look for new opportunities; they will your way. This is also a great month for all They also get on well with Earth Signs Taurus, Virgo, and start popping up in many areas of your life, kinds of networking and joint projects, so go Capricorn, as they benefit from their steady and predictable including the love and romance department. for it! energy. With Fire Signs Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, Cancer may end up feeling upstaged or taken advantage of at times. A trip might be in the offing. And with Air Signs Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius, Crabs may Aquarius (January 20-February 18) If end up feeling their emotions are falling on deaf ears. Leo (July 23-August 22) Venus, the Love you can get yourself organized with the Planet, is in your sign, making you feel mundane issues you’ve been procrastinating Femastrology Horoscopes for July 2013 both amorous and creative. But your energy about, you will have time to take advantage For all the Sun Signs: Mercury, the planet of communication, might be a little on the low side. If you feel of some very positive vibrations in the love went retrograde during the last part of June, and the entire it’s been a while since you’ve had a check up department. Keep an eye on health issues, too. month of July will be dominated by this somewhat annoying with the doctor, now’s the time. Take a little influence. Since Mercury Retrograde will be in the Sign of Cancer, plan on lots of emotional fireworks and potential time off if you need a rest. Pisces (February 19-March 20) With upsets with family and around the home. Avoid big all the Cancer planets lining up with purchases, major decisions, and new projects until August, Virgo (August 23-September 22) Avoid your Solar 5th house this month, you’ll be if possible. There is a lot of planetary action this month, and wishful thinking and take advantage of swimming in a sea of love! Enjoy it and put some of it is great. But things will be a touch on the volatile side, which might even trigger bizarre weather, earthquakes, reality! Even if things aren’t exactly how you energy into creativity and the pursuit of FUN. or eruptions. want them, people will be very willing to help you now, so take advantage of the good vibes. [email protected] The New Moon in Cancer is on July 8th, and the Full Moon Be social and get yourself out there. in Aquarius is on July 22. Lucky Days in July: 2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 19, 25, 29, 30.
37 Words That make sense Our Planet - Love It And Protect It | By Toni Hart
ometimes I find myself taking things for their cultures. Will they succeed? Only time will bites, most of which are due to mistaken identity granted. I see the beautiful and wild oceans, tell. Otters were almost wiped out in the turn of - a surfer in a wet suit resembles seal or sea lions - Sthe green trees, the rushing rivers as well as the 20th century, by the demand for otter coats for their dinner. Compare the 5 or 6 shark bites a year precious animals, magnificent plants and sea life. I fashionable men and women. Now, over a hundred to the hundreds of dog bites each month and no one become so wrapped up watching their majesty that I years later, their numbers have increased by careful is yelling about doing away with dogs, are they? don’t take into consideration that one day they may conservation to be able to consider taking them all be gone. We know that some day “we” will be off the endangered list. Think of the devastation to the beautiful rain but we always believe in our heart of hearts....that forests, plus hundred year old trees felled for new the beautiful gifts of nature will be here forever for Sharks, often thought of as a terrible menacing housing tracts. Think of the dangerous chemicals generations and generations to marvel at and enjoy. predator, are seriously in danger due to the unlawful ruining our rivers and streams. Imagine how many practice of finning. This procedure involves people think of our great oceans as garbage heaps Sadly, this may not be true. We’ve neglectfully hauling thousands upon thousands of young sharks as they throw their “junk” into the street only wasted so many of our natural resources....killed out of the ocean. All their fins are chopped off to to have it flow into storm drains and on into the off or allowed whole species of animal life to make soup for very wealthy diners who are the magnificent seas. just disappear from our planet. Today’s children only ones who can afford the exorbitant price. The will never see some of the animals that not so de-finned sharks are then thrown overboard where We must look out for our world so that future long ago romped on the prairies, flew through they are totally helpless. Sharks mature late and if generations can enjoy the beautiful flora, fauna the air or swam in the sea. Scientists are trying to the young ones are killed, there are no new ones and wildlife we’ve all marveled at. We must love rebuild threatened species. Are they too late? Our to take their place. Good, you might be saying... it and treat it as our family so it can grow and coastal shores used to be abundant with abalone, not realizing that this apex predator rids the ocean flourish. Please...seek out ways to protect our however today you’ll probably not see them on of dead, diseased and dying fish, thus keeping it precious planet. many restaurant menus due to over fishing and clean to produce the 80 percent of the oxygen for capture, Marine scientists are trying to reestablish us to breathe. And.... if you are thinking of shark [email protected] ALCOHOLISM, THE THINKING DISEASE Contempt Prior To Investigation | By G-O Digilio n one of the main books used in recovery is The full quote is from Herbert Spencer, an early better and happier by changing how I think and the phrase “contempt prior to investigation”. social philosopher, who lived primarily in how I behave. I must learn a new way. IIn this text, it is used in connection with the 1800s. issues of spirituality. Many people do not want Another concept of recovery is that “willingness, to hear any mention of God, religion, and/or “There is a principle which is a bar against honesty and open mindedness are the essentials spirituality. This effectively curtails any new all information, which is proof against all of recovery. But these are indispensable”. The ideas or information on this subject. Thus the arguments and which cannot fail to keep a idea of recovery is to be “happy, joyous and contempt for this area prevents a person from man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is free”. Stopping the drinking and/or drugging is learning new things. Since so many of the contempt prior to investigation.” but the first step. Some are so stuck they cannot recovery programs have a spiritual basis, many stop the addiction. We must be willing to learn people turn away from recovery without fully So many people have preconceived beliefs that how to live life in a different way. Or we will understanding what is even being discussed. may or may not be based in fact. Not only be pulled back into the bottle of booze or pills. Mention God or even “higher power” they about spirituality but many other subjects as Being stuck in our own beliefs without being will fly out the door in abject fear of learning well. There are so locked into their tenets that willing to explore other ideas and options is the something new. Rejection of new ideas is based nothing can move them from whatever posture cornerstone of ignorance. Don’t get stuck in on fear. Fear of loss. Fear of being different. they hold onto. This makes it so difficult for the mud that got you into the bottle. Be willing Fear of having to learn how to live life without them to learn a new way of life. For some in to learn new things and new ways. There is the influence of mind altering chemicals. Fear recovery, alcoholism and addiction is simply hope. There is a better way. that you won’t have any fun. Fear may cause about drinking or using drugs. Thus recovery you to prevent getting better. Learn to enjoy is simply about not drinking alcohol or using [email protected] life without chemicals. drugs. For me, recovery is about making life
Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com This walk gets us to the finish line faster.
The American Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking breast cancer research and helps women in every community. In fact, one in two women newly diagnosed with breast cancer turns to us for everything from information about clinical trials to getting rides to treatments. Join Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Together, we can create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays. Sign up at MakingStridesWalk.org.
©2012, American Cancer Society, Inc. 39 Lesbian News Magazine | July 2013 | www.LesbianNews.com