LESBIAN NEWS VOL. 43 ∙ NO. 12 ∙ July 2018
SHARON BRACKETT GROSSE MAKES HISTORY IN MISCONDUCT MARYLAND! A WORK PLACE COMEDY SOFI TUKKER: THAT VEERS FROM CAN’T STOP THE DRAMATIC DANCING! TO THE ABSURD QUEERS AGAINST 21ST CENTURY GENOCIDE LN Contributors
Anne Laure Pineau At 32, Anne Laure is a Parisian journalist working for national magazines (ELLE, Paris-Match, Liberation) on many subjects, from the far-right and conservative movements in France, to the Angola Prison Rodeo in Louisiana. She has the absolute conviction that her job is political and can enlighten the human complexity. As a feminist, as an anti-racist and as a lesbian, she is working daily to give a space to the untold stories. (Photo: Juliette Robert).
Beth Shipp is the first Executive Director of LPAC, the lesbian Super PAC that builds the political power of lesbian, queer, bisexual and transgender women by electing candidates who champion LGBTQ rights, women’s equality and social justice. She is a political strategist with more than 20 years of experience working for women’s reproductive rights, Democratic candidates and progressive causes. Prior to joining LPAC, Ms. Shipp was the political director for NARAL Pro- Choice and worked on a variety of federal and state campaigns throughout the nation.
Carl Matthes is the current president of UGLA, Uptown Gay and Lesbian Alliance, an organization providing a support system for gay men, lesbians and education for individuals and the community He is a columnist on the Lesbian News, owned and published by his sister, Ella and her wife, Gladi. He was editor of the GLAAD/newsletter, and a GLAAD/LA representative on the Board. ln July, 2008, Carl was legally married to Carl Johnson, his partner of 50 years, by Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar. It was a unique gay/lesbian double ceremony as Carl’s sister Ella and her partner Gladi were also married by Jose.
Carla Ferrer Russo, PhD is a Professor of Natural Medicine, a Registered Yoga Instructor, and a pioneering Behaviorist & Life Coach in the field of transformation and consciousness for healthy lifestyle living. For over twenty years, Dr. Carla’s work has focused on sharing both her personal and professional experience addressing the whole being, mind, body and spirit; empowering profound personal and professional break-throughs for individuals and organizations throughout the United States and United Kingdom (EU).
Christin and Ashley Kelly-Brown are owners and wife team of LunaBella Makeup and Hair in Santa Barbara, CA. Originally from Oakland, CA. they met there at 17 years of age and have been together for over 12 years. Legally married in California on October 3, 2008, their company has since taken off. They absolutely love not only what they do but also how uniquely they work together.
Dian Katz works a variety of arenas. With a background in Marriage Counseling and a history as a professional performer, she’s LN’s Entertainment Editor and Self Help columnist. Dian’s also authored a book entitled: Love Hurts· A Spiritual Journey to Wholeness. She sometimes works the motivational speaking circuit. Dian’s an award winning drummer with her own rock band. Out of all the many hats she wears, performing and writing are her biggest passions. Dina Evan, PhD is a noted speaker and veteran activist for LGBT Women’s and Human Rights. She is a professional counselor and spiritual coach working with individuals, couples and organizations from coast to coast. She has authored three books, Inspiration Cards, Calendars and Meditation CD’s. She provides tools for creating successful relationships which she believes are the path to consciousness. Dina feels the highest assignment today is simply waking up. (602) 997-1200 • www.drdinaevan.com
Gladi Adams, PhD is a native New Englander who was recruited in Boston by the Los Angeles Unified School District to teach English in L.A. She studied at Boston University, Cal State Northridge, California Western and UCLA. She retired as a secondary school principal after 35 years in the system. She is married to Ella Matthes, publisher, and they have been working on the LN together since 2005.
John Esther For nearly a dozen years, Movie Editor John Esther has been writing for Lesbian News. Over time, he has written more than 100 articles for LN on film, music, theater, ~ and culture. His monthlymovie column, Eye C, is currently the longest consecutiverunning - movie column in LN. John also contributes articles to numerous other publications, plus his own blog. John is currently a Board Member of the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA).
Juno Parreñas, PhD has been a regular monthly columnist at the Lesbian News since 1997, when she was seventeen years old. Since then, she has lived in three continents, five countries, ten cities, and has three degrees: a Bachelor’s from UC Santa Cruz, a Master’s from the University of Amsterdam, and a PhD from Harvard University. When she’s not writing about sexuality, politics, pleasure, culture, desire, and social relations, she works on her research involving orangutans.
Lynda Montgomery was born in Long Beach, a small town in Canada. She loves a parade, so she moved to Long Beach California, a big town, so she didn’t have to be all alone in the Gay Pride parade! She is an activist for animal rights and gay rights, giving priority to gay animals! As a stand-up comic she has survived many dive bars, festivals, and comedy clubs. She is currently trying to get booked onto the “Olivia Cruises” because she heard it’s a great place to meet women!
Mona de Crinis grew up in a world without Xbox or Netflix, when tweeting was something birds did and “Pinterest” was a bad typo. She relied on her fertile imagination for fun quickly discovering that words threaded together could create a vibrant tapestry of expression. This awareness sparked a passion and subsequent career. For more than 20 years, she wrote and edited for regional and niche publications. She has authored over 100 published articles. Mona lives in Palm Springs with partner, Lori, and four furry kids.
Mona Elyafi has been writing celebrity magazine profiles, entertainment news and lifestyle columns for two decades. She currently writes for the Huffing ton Post, and serves as the West Coast correspondent for Diva Magazine (Dubai’s leading Women’s fashion magazine) writing 1!11 pieces on Kim Kardashian, Kimora Lee Simmons and Denise Richards. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, raised in Paris, France, residing in Los Angeles, Elyafi has spent 20 years working in entertainment publicity, heading her own PR Company, ILDK Media. She holds a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University. Morag Hillsinger Reba Birmingham is our LN poet, writing until recently under the Nom de Plume Morag Hillsinger. She is also a practicing lawyer and an author with Regal Crest Publishing. Her debut novel, Floodlight, is now available on Bella Books, Amazon and Kobo. It is the first in a series about the LGBT characters that inhabit the fictional town of Merryville California. It is quirky and fun. The sequel will be released in 2018.
Nat Burns is an award-winning novelist and journalist who lives and writes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has authored novels in several genres for four different publishers and has just released her eleventh novel, a lesbian romance called Lights of the Heart. Her shorter works and essays have appeared in more than fifty publications and she’s been writing for LN since 2009. Burns is now writing full time after retiring from her career as editorial systems coordinator for a medical publishing company. www.natburns.com
Nikki McCauley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated from Robert Morris University and spent ten years with Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, CA. Accomplishments: PilotGodless- 2010- 2012; CD- Spoken Word 2005; Warner Bros. Writer’s Workshop 2003/2004; Poetry Book- Inditing Poetry 1999. Scripts: Law & Order; The Practice; Cold Case; CSI Las Vegas.
Robin Tyler is a pioneer activist in the LGBT community. In the 1970’s, she became the first ‘out’ lesbian or gay comic on television, albums and in concert. In addition to 25 Women’s Music and Comedy Festivals, Robin produced the main stages for 3 OD of the LGBT Marches on Washington. Robin and her wife, Diane Olson, were the first lesbian plaintiffs to file the lawsuit that brought marriage equality to California and were the first to marry in Los Angeles County.
Sally Sheklow came out in 1973 and has been with her “wifey” for 25 years. They live in Eugene, Oregon with their two cats. Sally’s “Living Out” column first appeared in Lesbian News in 1999, and twice won both the Houston Press Club’s Lone Star Award for best magazine column and Best of Eugene’s “Best Writer” award. Sally teaches Queer Studies at Portland State University, performs with the all-lesbian improv troupe WYMPROV!, and makes art out of old buttons.
Shawn Ryan is a lot of things. He’s an Actor/Singer/Writer/Director and Camp Director but fancies himself a Dancer/Poet/Lyrical Savant/Brother/Son/and Terrific Husband. His greatest wish is that someday Barbara Walters will come out of retirement and make him cry on ABC. He lives in a state of adoring bliss with his husband, actor John Ainsworth, and their furry children, Mr. Kitty and Gazpacho the Chihuahua. It seems as though things couldn’t get much better, but day by day, they to do. Follow him on www.shawn-ryan.com
Sherron Mills, N.P. has been a lesbian health care practitioner and activist for many years. In 1980 she co-founded Lyon-Martin Women’s Health Services, the country’s first non-profit clinic to serve the lesbian community. She then went on in 1984 to launch Pacific Reproductive Services to provide sperm bank, fertility and insemination services primarily to Ill lesbians. Knowing that many of her clients would greatly value the opportunity for their children to meet their sperm donors, should they wish to do so, she was an early pioneer in recruiting men who would contractually agree to meet a child at least once after he or she reaches 18. As a result, PRS today has more Stephanie Papadakis is originally from southern California. Stephanie knew she wanted to live in San Francisco from the age of 10 (but had no clue she liked women). When she’s not working at a lesbian travel company in SF, she spends her time cooking delicious paleo meals, climbing rugged mountains, exercising daily, researching random trivia knowledge, making “dream lists” on Airbnb, and planning day-, weekend- and weeklong dates with her partner, Sara.
Sweet Baby J’ai is a writer, singer, composer, arranger, educator, and the Artistic Director ofthe Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A creative force on the music scene for over two ~ decades, she tours the world with her genre-defying work, which both embraces and expands - jazz tradition. She has worked in various capacities, including talent buyer for major music events throughout the country. She also serves as Creative Managing Director for the Educational Theatre Institute.
Toni Hart has had many careers, including her favorite- freelance writing. Early on she was a child actress and after college, became a designer of women’s & children’s fashions. After a pause to have three children, she turned to Mortgage Banking, retiring years later as VP/Administrator of the mortgage Dept. She’s become a hard working volunteer for many venues. To support her wonderful gay daughter, her attention is now zestfully supporting the LGBT cause.
Victoria Bearden has practiced astrology for over 30 years, with clients across the country and abroad. To set up a personal consultation you can call her at 760-634-1028 or visit her website at www.astrologervic.com July 2018 CONTENTS COVER STORY LESBIAN NEWS GROSSE MISCONDUCT A work place comedy that veers from the dramatic to the absurd By Mona Elyafi
FEATURE
SHARON BRACKETT MAKES HISTORY IN MARYLAND! Trans candidate becomes first trans woman elected to public office in the State of Maryland. By Matthew Thorn
Travel INSIDE LN LET YOUR DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT TO HOTSPOTS GERMANY Explore one of the most influential European nation’s culture JULY IS HOT and delights. POETRY Joseph Nacino BUCKLE UP
FEMASTROLOGY JULY 2018 LIFESTYLES LOL CATALINA WOMEN’S WEEKEND MoviesEyeC SCINTILLATING SUMMER CINEMA Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival 2018 By John Esther Notes From Nat SOFI TUKKER: CAN’T STOP DANCING! Dance music gets an irresistible edge with the debut album of a New York-based musical duo. By Nat Burns
Spirituality Follow Us Online! START DOING By Dina Evan, PhD LESBIANNEWS.COM
COLUMNS Let us know what you think. Words that Make Sense THE END OF AN ERA You never know when the clock will stop. By Toni Hart
Queerly Questioning QUEERS AGAINST 21ST CENTURY GENOCIDE She would return, having the ability to fulfill her promise to me. By Rheana Juno Parrenas
Positive Reflections DAD AND I GOT IT RIGHT IN THE END Sometimes, the most painful relationships turn out to be our best teachers. By Dian Katz, MS
Dyke Musing THE BLUE MYSTERY By Sue Moore
GROSSE MISCONDUCT A work place comedy that veers from the dramatic to the absurd By Mona Elyafi
rosse Misconduct is a we all are, regardless of sexual orientation or LN: How did you come up with the title of the six-part digital series gender identity. web series? that depicts an eccentric Human Resources team The LN caught up with the writing duo to talk CR: We wanted a title that reflects an HR office, as they navigate personal about their new web series. and also ties us to the craziness that ensues. The and professional struggles term “gross misconduct” is used frequently in under the leadership of their high-maintenance Lesbian News: What was your inspiration for HR circles, to describe unacceptable workplace director, Mitch Grosse. making this web series? How were you able to conduct. Mitch Grosse’s behavior as an HR G get the project started? leader definitely falls into this category at times, It stars Colby Ryan as Mitch Grosse, Anne so we changed the spelling of “gross” to mirror Schroeder as Sarah Wilson, Steve Barkman as Colby Ryan: Anne and I met in an acting class Mitch’s last name, and voila! Brian Lambert and transgender activist/actor and thought it would be cool to create our Pooya Mohseni as Alicia Castile. own content - that’s how it started. I have a LN: What is Grosse Misconduct about? background in HR and a penchant for playing Creators/writers/executive producers Colby jerks, so I came up with the concept and then Anne Schroeder: The series follows an HR team Ryan and Anne Schroeder have been inspired we started writing work-related scenarios and and their struggles with their high-maintenance by the new network series “Champions” and creating characters to flesh out the setting. We boss, Mitch Grosse. There are firings, breakups, “Instinct”, the recent film “Love, Simon”, and split the responsibility of writing the 6-episode office flirtations, creepy co-workers, and a Ryan Murphy’s drama “Pose”. Both seek to season, hired a director (Mitchell Lazar) to help moody, “fowl-mouthed” chicken. So, you know, spotlight more LGBTQ characters in leading us organize the process and find crew, and we typical New York workplace. roles, featuring narratives that show how alike were off and running! LN: What makes it stand out from the rest of the CR: As a gay man, representation means a the LGBT+ community, it’s so important to show web series streaming online? great deal to me, especially having 2 of our lead complex LGBT+ characters in everyday life, not characters be part of the LGBT+ community. just as blatant stereotypes. AS: It’s an LGBT web series that does not focus It’s been terrific to be part of a wave of new on being an LGBT web series. While we very projects (“Instinct”, “Pose”, “Champions”) that LN: What do you want the audience to take away much believe stories of coming-out and struggles feature LGBT+ leads. We also aimed to bring from this web series? with gender identity are important to spotlight, diversity on multiple levels, and were thrilled we also believe stories about LGBT characters to find Pooya Mohseni, an Iranian-American AS: We all have to put on our shoes one at living, loving, working in their everyday life are transgender actress, to bring Alicia to life. a time, regardless of our sexuality or gender just as important. identification. Also, the chicken was super AS: What we see in movies, television, and funny. Whoever came up with that idea is a LN: GM has two actors part of the LGBTQ web content manipulate our perceptions of comedic genius. community, how important is LGBTQ other people, particularly those different representation for you? than ourselves. With all the controversy and LN: What was the most challenging part of the misunderstanding in our country surrounding writing process? CR: Anne and I have different backgrounds and comic sensibilities, so it was an experiment to see how well our styles would blend. Fortunately, we found that our individual approaches to character and story led us to a mix that works!
LN: Collaboration is such a huge part of filmmaking. What makes a fruitful collaboration?
AS: It’s important to pick your battles wisely. I always try to ask myself “is the disagreement stemming from what I think is best for the project or what is best for my ego/taste?” If it was the latter, I would do my best to let my idea go or collaborate with Colby to suss something out that we could both enjoy. Some of my favorite moments of the series happened because we did not initially see eye to eye. It’s okay to disagree and it’s okay to stand your ground on an idea you believe in… just be willing to sometimes pull a Frozen moment and “Let it Go.” Did I sometimes have to sing that song in my head to cool my jets? Yes. Did I loathe myself a little for knowing all the lyrics? Also yes. Did the singing voice in my head always take the option up at the end? Duh.
LN: The music for the show is quite catchy. How did you go about selecting it? Was it composed specifically for GM?
CR: We must thank Mitchell Lazar, our insanely talented director, for hiring Mark Savoia to compose the music for GM. Isn’t our theme song divine?? It was so important to find someone who could translate the tone, humor and feeling of GM in its entirety, and I think Mark just totally nailed it. I am soooo glad you asked that question.
LN: What is your favorite episode, and why?
CR: I love all my children!! If I had to choose, I’d say our finale, episode 6, because so much story is packed into that 7 minutes, it leaves us anticipating the answers to several cliffhangers, and we got to play with comedic, dramatic and totally absurd twists all in the same episode.
AS: Two and four have some of my favorite jokes of the series. I also love the firing scenes in four. Chris Griggs, Carla Johnston, and Jeremy Swift are so freakin’ funny.
TOP
SHARON BRACKETT MAKES HISTORY IN MARYLAND! Trans candidate becomes first trans woman elected to public office in the State of Maryland. By Matthew Thorn
haron Brackett has become the “I would like to believe that being trans is the advocacy and legal organization for LGBTQ first trans woman to be elected least interesting thing about me but I recognize service members, veterans and their families to a public office in the State of the significance and the importance that this as well as The Point Foundation the national Maryland. Sharon triumphed in moment brings especially to thousands of trans LGBTQ scholarship organization. a contested primary against 14 individuals like myself who may have previously other candidates. Ms. Brackett thought public office was unattainable. Tonight’s Brackett would specifically like to recognize her was elected to the 46th District Democratic Central victory is a testament that with hard work, friend, and mentor, Dr. Dana Beyer who led by Committee representing the neighborhoods of dedication and an ‘infectious optimism’ that example by becoming the first trans woman to SCanton, Locust Point, Federal Hill, Brooklyn, regardless of gender identity one can serve the run for public office in the State of Maryland and Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill located in Baltimore public in any capacity. I am looking forward to paving the way to make this possible. City. With 51 of 53 precincts reporting Sharon serving the Democrats of District 46 and hope secured 3,901 votes and placed third out of 15 to build our base and success in getting strong Additionally, the Sharon Brackett for 46th District candidates in her very first run for office. candidates positioned for success moving our Democratic Central Committee Campaign progressive values forward.” would like to acknowledge the Nate Loewenthiel Sharon Brackett issued the following statement campaign for their assistance and financial in response to this historic night: Brackett, is a computer engineer and business support throughout the primary process. executive, and has been an activist for LGBT “I want to believe that we led an upbeat campaign rights in Maryland for most of the last decade. Also, another trans woman, Laura Hart, was rooted in my philosophy of ‘infectious optimism’. She is a founder and board chair of Gender elected to the Democratic Central Committee in As a pragmatic progressive I am hoping to Rights Maryland and was Baltimore Pride’s St. Mary’s county, that race was uncontested. bring a new energy and dynamic to the Central activist of the year in 2014. Brackett is board Committee in Baltimore.” member of OutServe-SLDN the leading national TOP
Travel
LET YOUR DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT TO GERMANY Explore one of the most influential European nation’s culture and delights. By Joseph Nacino
hile Germany square miles in northern Germany. areas around the Mainz Cathedral where the may be known for foodie can enjoy the traditional “Marktfrühstück” its beer during As a biosphere reserve, only a few boats are (a breakfast of “Weck, Worscht und Woi”, Oktoberfest or their allowed to preserve the peaceful nature of or bread, sausage and wine). These are all spring celebration the environment. You’ll also be able to see provided by local winegrowers, butchers, and during May Day, thousands of migrating birds like geese and bakers. there are a lot of summer sights to see in this cranes stop over at Lake Schaalsee, which has country during July. many small calcium-rich lakes and a beautiful You can also visit the magnificent Glücksburg W lakeside forest. If you want to get your exercise Castle, which is one of northern Europe’s For this month, you can check out the following: while admiring the tranquillity of nature, you can most important Renaissance castles and is the international horse show CHIO (or the go around 150 kilometres of well-signposted Germany’s most northern castle. This many- Concours Hippique International Officiel) in hiking and cycling trails, which wind their way towered, whitewashed castle was built in 1585 the city of Aachen; Munich’s Tollwood Festival through picturesque woodland and wetlands, and together with the orangery, serves as the offering music, theater, cabaret and artistic idyllic fens and fields, and sleepy hamlets and venue for the annual Schleswig-Holstein Music events; and the Lake Schaalsee in northern villages. Festival. Germany, among others. Every first Sunday from April to November, the So what are you waiting for? Make your dreams HORSE-RACING IN GERMANY Lake Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve Market come true this July in Germany! The annual CHIO event is regarded in so is also held there. During this event, you can TOP many ways. It’s been called the Wimbledon check out more than 40 producers selling their of horseback riding, and the world’s biggest delicious specialties. equestrian festival. This event is held at the city of Aachen in the North Rhine-Westphalia—once CELEBRATE TOLLWOOD FESTIVAL a former Free Imperial City—and happens over If you visit Germany this July, you can catch two weekends. There will be approximately 500 the summer event of Munich: the popular horses and 300 riders, drivers, and vaulters Tollwood Festival, which is celebrating its 30th competing at CHIO from more than 20 countries. anniversary. This happening combines cultural And of course, it will have the best equestrians offerings with an ecological consciousness— from all over the world. and most of their events offer free admission
For those bringing their families, the first There are usually two Tollwood Festivals, one in weekend will have the traditional “Horse and the summer and one in the winter. The summer symphony” concert as well as the open day on edition of this festival happens from June ‘Soers Sunday’ showing a varied programme of 27 to July 22 and will be held at the Olympic sports and show events. The event, to be held Park. Aside from the culture and entertainment at the Aachen-Laurensberg racing club from available during the event, you can check out the July 13 to 22 this year, will also have concerts Pavilion of Biodiversity located in a field of wild and pop-up restaurants. flowers at the center of the festival, as well as the hanging gardens, exhibits, and installations. THE TRANQUIL LAKE SCHAALSEE This festival has already won several awards If the environment is more your thing, or if you for its commitment to biodiversity. prefer to see the beauty of nature, then you can’t go wrong with German, which has 16 GERMANY: A PLETHORA OF SIGHTS UNESCO-approved biospheres. One of these is There’s so much more to see in Germany. the region around Lake Schaalsee, which is 9.2 There’s the weekly markets at the historical
MoviesEyeC
SCINTILLATING SUMMER CINEMA Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival 2018 By John Esther
he longest film festival in Los the party elite were not so discreet. On July 22 and behind the camera (but mostly behind Angeles, Outfest Los Angeles Outfest closes with Desiree Akhavan’s “The the camera), Caroline Berler’s documentary is LGBTQ Film Festival returns Miseducation of Cameron Post,” the Sundance- chockfull of interviews from Sapphic cinema July 12-22. Due to its longevity award winning follow up to her 2014 debut film, subverts like Barbara Hammer (“Dyketactics”); – the festival dates back to “Appropriate Behavior.” Su Friedrich (“Damned If You Don’t”); Cheryl 1979 – and its proximity to the Dunye (“The Watermelon Women”); Jenni Olson entertainment industry, Outfest Los Angeles In the meantime, well over a hundred films and (“The Joy of Life”); Rose Troche (“Go Fish”); is also considered the preeminent LGBTQ film documentaries (and let us not forget the parties) Vicky Du (“Gaysians”); the aforementioned Tfestival. Outfest Los Angeles is only second to will screen at Outfest Los Angeles 2018. Akhavan (“Appropriate Behavior”) along with the the Sundance Film Festival – held in January film critic B. Ruby Rich, TV director-producer in Park City, Utah (and other places thereabouts) Here are a few examples of what to expect. Lesli Klanberg (“Fabulous! The Story of Queer -- in terms of opportunities, exposure, and Cinema”) and others who discuss their own work nurturing LGBTQ films and filmmakers. and the works of others who had influenced them DYKES, LIGHTS, ACTION or made them feel less isolated as they realized This year’s festival opens up with “Studio 54,” Matt there were others out there telling stories Tyrnauer’s documentary about the eponymous An important examination about the ignoble they wanted to see and were finally getting to nightclub of the late 1970s/early 1980S where omission of queer women in cinema in front distribute and display. In large part, these films were a reaction against an aspiring actor. Flash forward a few years: “Eva & Candela” screens Sunday, July 15, the isolation these filmmakers felt as they Candela is no longer behind the camera. She is 7pm, Harmony Gold; and Monday, July 16, watched films about the lives of others from their now in front of a classroom as a college professor. 9:45pm, Plaza de la Raza. Other viewpoint. In those Cartesian patriarchal Meanwhile, Eva has become somewhat of films, the lesbian was typically wicked before a movie star. In between the beginning and suicidal. the “end,” writer-director Ruth Caudeli relays MAN MADE Candela and Eva’s joyous, tumultuous, wild and Juxtaposed against that dominant narrative, wonderful relationship over an unspecific time. Every year trans men come to Atlanta, Georgia to these filmmakers took a chance not only on compete in Trans FitCon, the only bodybuilding themselves, but that there would be an audience Jumping from various times in their relationships, competition just for trans men. Last year, there out there able and willing to watch. And there the screenplay unfolds the beginning of a true were 12 of them. Here are the stories of four of were…many. romance to the drag out and down fights, to the them – plus a little extra in T. Cooper’s tempered, birth of a boy, the adoption of a dog, and lots of tailored, often terrific documentary. With a running time of 58 minutes, this smart family dramas, interferences and support. But film with smart people talking about film is pithy Casandra no longer wants to be “just the wife Dominic C. is 26, living in Saint Paul, MN. Last yet all too short. Almost each interviewee is of Eva Martinez” and the tension, the kind of year he came in third place, pre-surgery. We worth a 58-minute film of her own. tension only found at this level of love, is, now, follow him as he goes through his surgery, before, later, breathtakingly painful, pleasured handles his relationship with his girlfriend, Thea, “Dykes, Camera, Action!” screens July 20, and powerful. does his raps, and a whole lot more – other than 7pm, DGA 1. Sponsored by Lesbian News, actually train for the next Trans FitCon. His there is a party to follow in the DGA atrium. Re-titled from the original “(¿Cómo Te Llamas?,” cognitive dissidence is remarkable. which means, “What is your name?” and makes more sense for the film) this narrative feature On the other hand, Mason, 40?, of Cleveland, EVA & CANDELA features startling performances by the two Ohio, is a serious bodybuilder, competing in leads, a crisp script and some deft direction. “regular” bodybuilding competitions. Thoughtful, Once upon a time, Candela (Alejandra Lara) dedicated and married to Anne, Mason was was a filmmaker and Eva (Silvia Varón) was “Eva & Candela” barely misses a dramatic beat. once suicidal, directionless and bipolar. With his transition in the doctor’s office as well as DGA 2. situation, but something in the triangle has got the gym, Mason seems to be heading in a much to bend, if not break. better direction. He has a chance to win. TWO IN THE BUSH: A LOVE STORY Directed and co-written by Laura Madalinski, The direction of Rese W., 23, of Atlanta, Georgia “Two in the Bush: A Love Story” lacks the gusto is not so optimistic. Once homeless, Rese now Poor Emily (Sarah Mitchell). She has just lost to really delve into polyamory at any serious lives with his grandparents and his 5-year-old her job, and thus sending her home to catch her level. Ben is an artist yet has no intellectual son who calls Rese “mommy.” As he, somewhat, girlfriend, Kate (Adriana Leonard) with Emily’s insights into his role as living the male fantasy of trains for the Trans FitCon, Rese takes us best friend, Peter (Mike Schminke) in bed. As “having” two women. Nikki works in an industry through the harsh reality of homelessness, in a result, Kate and Peter are leaving Emily, and channeling power and pleasure yet has no particular the violence against the transgender taking the apartment with them. But with crisis intellectual insights a la lordship and bondage. community on the streets. comes opportunity. But, on a more rudimentary level, Emily’s sexual top attire during sex is preposterous, essentially Out in the west, Kennie, 34, of Conway, Thanks to Emily’s buddy, Rosa (Melissa DuPrey), puritanical. Arizona, has decided to undergo his transition. Emily winds up in dungeon (of sorts) for work. This causes tension with his girlfriend, D.J, who There she meets her boss, Nikki (Caitlin Aase). “Two in the Bush: A Love Story” screens defines herself as a lesbian, thus finds her/self The two immediately bond(age) and a relationship Thursday July 19, 9:30pm. becoming less sexually attracted to Kennie as flourishes. But there is also something brewing he becomes more of a man. between Emily and Ben (Travis Delgado), the seemingly office handyman who is actually an For more information about Outfest Los Angeles These four, along with others, offer a fresh artist known around town. 2018, go to: www.outfest.org insight to some marginalized Americans who have decided to build themselves anew and When Ben and Nikki find out they have been form their own identities through both mind and dating the same person, they come up with a body. plan. The three will date each other, setting up strict guidelines about communication in “Man Made” screens Saturday, July 21, noon, the process. For awhile, it seems like the ideal TOP
Notes From Nat
SOFI TUKKER: CAN’T STOP DANCING! Dance music gets an irresistible edge with the debut album of a New York-based musical duo. By Nat Burns
he celebrity-loaded, woman- recently, EDM or electronic dance music, and is music students, Sophie Hawley-Weld and driven film, Oceans 8, has been featured in a lot of rave-type music festivals. The Tucker Halpern, this duo blends a perfect mix of enormously popular at the early scope is broader in Europe and grew out of an electronica, bass, electric guitar and voice into summer box office and a great underground music, but not necessarily dance, irresistible, and often fun, works of rhythmic art. soundtrack has been helping scene. Creativity runs rampant in this type of that along. One song, “Best work with input from a host of modern tools— From their Soft Animals EP—”Awoo” featuring Friends” by Sofi Tukker, was situated perfectly digital audio workstations, electronic musical Betta Lemme: into the film and really caught my attention. instruments, synthesizers, music sequencers, www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7g_SWE90O8 T and drum machines. Artists can take a sound, “Best Friends”: minor or powerful, and sample it, looping it to Here’s an interview that explains their writing www.vuhaus.com/videos/sofi-tukker-best- repeat at various points in the song. process and also how they met: friend-skyline-sessions#.Wxl0833aCoA.twitter www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdmI6yjQL1I Sofi Tukker is a master at this art form. I’ve The official video of “Best Friends” including heard few that can best them. Recently, these two have released their debut NERVO, The Knocks & Alisa Ueno: album. Called Treehouse, it features what some www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Vx7MTU-UVE Electronica with legs (This is an hour-long refer to as jungle pop or house music, but I just performance of club EDM by Sofi Tukker): simply categorize it as an amazing piece of Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge www.youtube.com/watch?v=uysHg_cifig work. fan of electronica music, especially the European version. In America it is called techno or, more Made up of two one-time Brown University Here’s a rowdy bit of rebellion that opens the album: “F**k They”: Portuguese. It’s taken from a love poem written The Apple commercial: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYeFSbKOTOg by the Brazilian poet, Chacal, but is performed www.ispot.tv/ad/AALK/apple-watch-move- by the two with a background of cowbells, song-by-sofi-tukker Sophie was born in Germany, lived ten years in bongos, deep driving bass and electric guitar. Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to Victoria British Since that time Sofi Tukker has done several Columbia when she was fourteen. She then Early days-2016, “Drinkee” live in Pasadena: more Apple commercials and their music has went to boarding school in Italy when she was www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg3U4ak7IDA crept into other areas of entertainment, such as sixteen, attended college in Rhode Island, spent into the Oceans 8 film. A cleaner version of their six months in Rio, and then her family moved to “Drinkee”, another version: song “Batshit”, titled “That’s It (I’m Crazy)”, was the Hague in the Netherlands. The musical duo www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdLlUCkuH4w featured in a commercial promoting the iPhone is now based in New York. 8 RED smartphone in 2018. Amazingly enough, someone at Apple heard Because of this globe -trotting lifestyle, she says the song and they decided to pick it up for their The commercial: she needed and found one secure constant— Apple Watch commercial. It was also nominated www.ispot.tv/ad/w42l/apple-iphone-8- music. Her own compositions are a heady for a 2017 Grammy for Best Dance Recording. productred-red-song-by-sofi-tukker reflection of all that she has experienced. Quickly becoming an international hit, it has been streamed more than thirty million times Here’s the original “Batshit” video: One of their earliest works “Drinkee” is in and has charted in multiple countries. www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDndE432GpU Tucker came to the synth-pop music genre via another path. He had been pursuing a career in basketball on the Brown team but was forced to quit after being diagnosed with a severe strain of the Epstein-Barr virus. Confined to bed for many months, he turned his energies to becoming an expert at using music-making digital machines, an intriguing substitute for basketball.
I believe he succeeded.
Buy the album, enjoy the album. Eagerly await the next one.
Here’s a small, intimate performance of three popular songs: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYinhnDYF54
© 2017 Ultra Records www.sofitukker.com
Always remember, if the links won’t open, copy and paste them into your browser.
‘Til next month—
Nat TOP WOMEN’S WEEK: WOMEN ON A ROLL TRIP TO PROVINCETOWN! “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” -- Mae West
oin us for the 21st Women On from Boston and Provincetown in this very special town on the tip of Cape Cod A Roll Trip to Provincetown on • Sunset Dunes Tour & Beach Bonfire October 8-14, 2018. • Welcome Reception upon arrival Prices start at: • Welcome brunch or luncheon at a favorite $1,795* without airfare Early bookings are highly local spot $2,295* with round-trip air from LAX recommended to secure your • Our private Group Gourmet Dinner at spot and ensure your preferred room type is one of the most beautiful and highest rated *Prices based on double occupancy and vary available. Prices vary based on room type. restaurants in town based on room type. JSuites and rooms may offer water view or • Farewell Dinner at the Lobster Pot Single occupancy available, please inquire. town view, fireplace and jacuzzi tub. Please (optional) visit www.anchorinnbeachhouse.com for room • Daily Continental Breakfast Reserve your spot: descriptions. Rooms assigned on first come, • Daily Wine & Cheese Hour $500 deposit per person ($300 non-refundable) first served basis. Once we receive your deposit, • Guided Beach Forest Bike Ride (bike Balance will be due on or before August 2, 2018. you will be contacted for room selection. rental not included, weather dependent) • Concierge ticket service and VIP reserved To pay online: Please include your phone # with your deposit seating for the most popular shows in town womenonaroll.com/womens-week-in- or email [email protected] (ticket price not included) provincetown-3 • Free Women On A Roll Party To pay by phone: Call 310-398-1628 • An enormous variety of events: dancing, To pay by check: Mail to P.O. Box 4353, Culver WHAT’S INCLUDED: comedy shows, concerts, art exhibits, movies, City, CA 90231 • Six nights at the Anchor Inn Beach House, bicycling, hiking, football, singles events, Provincetown’s premiere lodging on the water couples events, whale watching, and much To reserve your room now: • Round trip air travel (optional) more. womenonaroll.com/womens-week-in- • Round trip chartered shuttle service to/ • Thousands of women, hundreds of events provincetown-3 TOP
Spirituality
START DOING By Dina Evan, PhD
Did it ever occur to you that you came here
for a bigger reason than shopping the rack
at Nordstrom’s or T.J.Max? Well it’s time to
wake up, because you came here to change
the world and the only question that has any
validity at this moment is… Who am I and am
I doing what I came here to do? The greatest
disappointment in your life would be to have
missed the point of your existence. The
greatest joy is to have done what you came
here to do, and you can start anytime, like
right now.
TOP
Words that Make Sense
THE END OF AN ERA You never know when the clock will stop. By Toni Hart
Two weeks ago, my lifelong partner passed were acres and acres) for an amazing dinner. We our time at the resort as they had everything away. We knew he was ill, but this was totally had been going to Mexico for many years and you would need and want all around you. Pools, unexpected. We had spent almost 67 years could remember back to the many mama-papa pools, and more pools surrounded the perimeter together. By any measure, that is a long time. restaurants that lined the sidewalks. The prices of the resort as well as loads of high scale back then were low and the food, although not restaurants. Nightclubs, gyms, even theaters Like many couples, we had our ups and downs. gourmet, was delicious. However, as the years were within reach and golf carts came to take However, we always managed to move on and went by, the little restaurants disappeared and you anywhere you wanted to go on the property. get along. We loved to travel and especially big chains took their places with fantastic but The landscaping was incredible with flowers of loved Mexico. There, we made many friendships high end food. all colors, trees and bushes, rivers, lakes and of as we traveled back to the same resorts, year course, the gorgeous beach all around you. after year. We always booked an ocean view The resorts, too, stepped up the ambiance and suite, where we could sit out on our patio were also much more costly as time went by. We usually spent two weeks a year in this and watch the waves crashing on the beach. But, if you have never been, you wouldn’t believe paradise and came home refreshed and happy. Sometimes we would just sit with our iPads, and how gorgeous and lavish the resorts became. Hard to think this has come to a crashing end… play games. The people there are so gracious Of course, prices escalated as well. so unexpectedly. But I’m so glad we spent so and the restaurants and suites are spectacular. many vacations here as it gives me pleasant They now provided limos or busses to pick us memories now that he’s no longer with me. We would take a taxi to Walmart for snacks and up at the airport. The suites were large and However, he will be in my heart forever. lunch foods to nibble on and go out to one of the the furnishings… lavish. We always enjoyed many night spots on the resort grounds (which ourselves to the fullest and usually spent all TOP VISIT VISIT SITE WEBSITE
Vendange is the perfect getaway desti- You’ll see what makes Vendange a once The separate Cottage Suite offers a gen- nation located in the village of Carmel - in a lifetime stay. Their gardens, the grand erous 650 square feet of living space. by - the - Sea. It is the fi rst wine themed pergola, drinking a glass of wine around With a California King bed, 50” high defi - Inn in all of Carmel and Monterey. the fi re pit, or stopping by the lobby for nition fl at screen television, gas fi replace nightly hors d’oeuvres, will make your trip and kitchenette, it’s the perfect place for Each room is named after a local winery. more memorable. a honeymoon or romantic getaway. These partnered wineries design their own rooms in their own creative man- There are 18 rooms in the Inn which is The Inn offers breakfast daily. Wine ner, providing guests with a memorable owned and operated by the Lee family. Themed Rooms: are Dawn’s Dream, and fun experience. Carmel Beach, has Sleeping areas are appointed with mem- Galante, J. Lohr, Joullian, Manzoni, McIn- exquisite shops, world class restaurants ory foamtop beds, deluxe linens, WiFi, tyre, Otter Cove, Pierce Winery, Tudor, and beautiful beaches. and high-defi nition fl at screen TV. Twisted Roots, Ventana, Cima Colina. Queerly Questioning
QUEERS AGAINST 21ST CENTURY GENOCIDE She would return, having the ability to fulfill her promise to me. By Rheana Juno Parrenas
hen I was around as a distraction from the absence of my mother. having the ability to fulfill her promise to me. the age of two and This knowledge would hurl me back into sobbing a half years old, despair. Right now, thousands of captives in America I was separated are not as lucky and are being abused and from my mother for My trauma ultimately had resolution. Barbara, traumatized by ICE and the horror of detention. a period of about the daycare worker whose name I still remember By now, you should know that they are only six months. Eighteen months later, when I was more than thirty years later, comforted me. This given Mylar blankets, housed in cages, and in daycare, I remember wailing every day when was in the early 1980s and I was given the space spending their days and nights on hard concrete Wmy mother dropped me off. The only thing that to cry and have tantrums: I wasn’t drugged up in warehouses and military camps. There would get me to stop crying was playing a round on psychiatric medications. And even though I are reports of children being drugged with of the board game Chutes and Ladders until I did not believe my mother would come back for psychiatric medications. Many of these children realized that I was deceived, that it was meant me, at the end of the day, she would return, speak indigenous languages of the Americas and not Spanish or English. Their isolation and captivity is a gross violation of human rights.
It is factually correct to call these detention centers concentration camps. Merriam-Webster defines a concentration camp as a camp where persons, including refugees, are detained or confined. They do not have freedom of movement and are literally confined in cages. They are seeking asylum and refuge from places in which the United States have long interfered and have forcibly made unlivable with land seizure, military support, and the squashing of democracy. The mess in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are messes that we ultimately made and for which the United States has a moral obligation to ameliorate. The people presently being locked up have ancestral claims to this continent that are more solid than any migrant to North America since 1492.
The impact suffered will be long lasting. We are only starting to understand that trauma stays in our bodies and the science of epigenetics suggests that such trauma has the power to trigger genetic changes that generations down will suffer. Children crying for their loved ones are not being comforted but instead drugged and dubious organizations like Bethany Christian Services have the task of farming these children out to foster homes, far from where they were abducted. ACLU reports that ICE is systematically destroying evidence of sexual abuse.
Queerly Questioning It is also factually correct to say that this is genocide. The United Nations definition established through the Genocide Convention more than fifty years ago defines genocide in Article 2. Five aspects of that definition are relevant here. The actions spearheaded by Trump’s administration, Stephen Miller, and state agents such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement within the Department of Homeland Security are “causing serious bodily or mental harm” to members of a group and are “forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.”
Incarcerating families together doesn’t change the fact of cruel human rights violations. With many other queer folk protesting at dyke marches across the US, I too, say it’s time to abolish ICE. TOP Positive Reflections
DAD AND I GOT IT RIGHT IN THE END Sometimes, the most painful relationships turn out to be our best teachers. By Dian Katz, MS
didn’t have one of those father-daughter At the hospital in ICU, he was able to say short time I got to Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, type relationships. I was never one of sentences in between trying to breathe because the whole place was mostly empty except for the those daddy’s little girl you hear about fluid was in his chest. So for the most part, he ER and ICU. I parked, ran into ER, and tried to in the movies. In fact I never knew if was coherent and able to talk a little. My mom find the ICU. I was running down dark hallways I really meant anything to my father was with me and told him she loved him and he looking everywhere. It was like an eerie maze because he was the kind of guy that said he loved her back. They went to kiss but he but I did finally find the ICU. I buzzed the ICU never told me he cared about me. It was my couldn’t reach up far enough to her when she intercom, rushed in and ran to his room. mother who signed the birthday cards with his leaned down on the hospital bed to kiss him. Iname and my mother who gave me all of the So my dad ended up doing kisses in the air with The nurse said he was still coherent. They had things a mother AND father should give their his lips. It was such a cute sight that it left a taken him off all sedatives and had him on anti- kids. Dad never hugged, kissed or showed me permanent visual I will remember forever. anxiety meds to keep him comfortable. I walked any kind of affection physically or emotionally. in and our eyes met. I looked at him and sadly He helped me in other ways such as financially, While at the hospital, my family went to see him saw how terrible and old he looked. He was getting things I needed like the car fixed, help each day. On a Sunday, I had to drive to the completely swollen, bloated, and dying of sepsis. with school supplies, etc. He yelled a lot at me Valley for band rehearsal. I figured I’d see my His arms were as huge as 2-by-4’s. His chest growing up and as an adult, I basically tolerated dad on Monday. From my house, the Valley is was so filled with toxins, he looked pregnant. the guy rather than love or even really like him. about a 2-hour drive. So that night at rehearsal, My poor dad was gasping with every second. It I got a phone call from the hospital about 9:30 was a sight I could never unsee, and will have to As he became elderly, he started to lean on me pm. I was told by the doctor that my father had live with it etched in my mind forever. However, more and tell me all kinds of stories about his taken a turn for the worse. Their priority was to after what was about to happen, I didn’t want to childhood. I stopped disliking him so much and keep him comfortable but stable until my family give up this moment up for anything and would started to actually like him a little. It was difficult got there. She said my dad had only about two do it all over again if I had to. to like him too much because he was now a hours left! grumpy old man. I became somewhat of a part- He had an oxygen mask on and was trying to time caregiver to him in the last couple of years. I knew I had unfinished business with my father. say something in between his gasps. It was all I knew I needed to tell him I loved him and I garbled and I couldn’t understand him. I said, Recently, he was in a car accident that led to forgive him. I knew I needed to say goodbye. I “Dad, are you in pain?” He shook his head no... a 10-day hospital stay, which led to 3 weeks told my band I was going to go for it and try to I asked, “Do you want me to get anyone?” He in a rehab facility. He was away from home for beat the clock before he passed. I was in the shook his head no. Could it be he was holding almost two months. He suddenly became very Valley and the hospital was in Newport Beach on to see me? ill in the rehab facility and was taken back to the over two hours away. Could I make it in time? I hospital where he was ___ for days. I saw him figured if it was meant to be, he’d hang on until I I sat down next to his bed and petted his arm at the rehab facility and then at the hospital. got there, right? I sped away around 9:30. By the and head. There were no other family members there. My mother had become ill. We figured it I asked him again if he wanted anyone else to order an intravenous bag to have a constant would be too risky to bring her to the ICU again here. He shook his head no. And in between the drip of morphine. I told her yes. As soon as the with a lowered immune system and being so gasps, he was still desperately trying to tell me morphine was given, Dad’s communication with grief-stricken. And I was so glad she saw my something and clenching his fists in frustration. me ceased. In fact, he stopped responding to dad when he didn’t look this awful and they each Suddenly, I just felt like I intuitively knew what me all together: no more head nods, no more said they loved one another, sealed with a kiss. he was trying so hard to tell me. I said to my dad, gasping so hard, no more trying to tell me My brothers had seen my dad at different times “Are you wanting to go?” He nodded his head something. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew throughout the weekend when he was slightly up and down with a very big yes and seemed the end was near and our journey together was better. relieved as if I finally understood him. Then I over. I stayed for a while and then once I felt said, “Do you want me to get you the medicine he was more at peace, I left the hospital. It was Now it was my turn. He was in the last stages to help you go quicker?” He nodded again a very around one in the morning and he passed away of leaving this planet. His mind was still there big yes and then stopped struggling to speak. I four hours later. but his body was failing him. I told him that told the nurse, and she came in and said she he and I had always had our differences but I was going to shut off the machine hooked to As painful as all of this was, Dad and I both Positive Reflections loved him and he was a good dad. I told him I him and start administering morphine. I just sat received a gift. I felt good about sending my forgave him and hoped he would forgive me. He there and rubbed his swollen arms and forehead. father off to the next plane. I felt healed over all seemed to know exactly what I was saying and I told him he could go at any time and he was of the animosity I had toward him. I finally felt nodded. Then all of the sudden... the inaudible now being released. I told him to go toward the a genuine love for my father. It was painful and sounds as he was trying to speak between light. At one point, I said, “Goodbye, Dad...” rewarding at the same time. But I will always gasps became crystal clear. He said, “I LOVE remember my father’s last audible words said YOU SO MUCH.” At that moment, every bit of Of ALL people, ME—the person who had the were only to me and were, “I LOVE YOU SO anger, resentment, and dislike for my father just most strained relationship with this man—was MUCH.” vanished forever. It was as if divine intervention the one helping him peacefully transition from miraculously healed the both of us in an instant. life to his next destination. Let’s not wait until our last dying breath to say He continued to struggle to say something else these things to the people we love. that I absolutely could not understand. The nurse administered a couple of morphine shots over time and then asked if I would like her
TOP Dyke Musing
THE BLUE MYSTERY By Sue Moore
THE BLUE MYSTERY I NEVER WANTED YOU TO DIE MOURNING PIECES
You and I met I never wanted you to die A giant rubber band snaps
On a great staircase to the Blue Mystery I wanted you to live forever I am thrown back against a wall
Your hand, a feature of light Or at least a thousand years Of self-limitation
Fed me with a tender spoon. Like a giant redwood reaching to the sky I am all broken up
And I a thin mist hanging in your fragrant A bowlful of memory shards
Now you are gone branches And mourning pieces
You have arrived at the Blue Mystery Or a mountain range heaved up high Do not touch!
Left me on the staircase For me to clamber and climb your craggy paths My jagged edges are too sharp
Pondering Or an ancient sea turtle swimming through They will cut
Fondling the tender spoon. grey waste, You will bleed.
The storm-tossed seas of despair and regret
Me clinging to your back
And you deliver me to some sunny shore of
further hope.
TOP
HotSpots
JULY IS HOT And getting hotter with Hotspots By Dian Katz, MS id you see that??? That was For more info, get reel and go to: the bar of excellence. Many members of our fireworks baby!!! Either it’s www.outfest.org community have connected with a new family, because of YOU or because or learned something new about themselves they are celebrating over in WOLF FEST during Hotter Than July’s 23 years,” say Hotter the U.S.A. Either way, I can You want to go to some “radical feminist Than July promoters. What is hotter than July? tell you where some Hotspots sisterhood, strategy in the Redwoods?” Look no August and September!!! Ahem. that will make you see fireworks are. further than here and attend the 2 on July 11 to 16 in Crescent City, California. Woah… I have For more info, wait until you are sizzling and D2018 NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL no idea what they do at a Wolf Fest, but I’m visit: www.lgbtdetroit.org/hotterthanjuly Ever wanted to escape to Middleton, WI? Well howling! Get it… howling? Wolf? Oh come on! now’s the time! This July 5 to 8, join hordes You know it was funny. I see the corners of your THE VICTORIAN - 2018 NETWORKING MIXER of other women at the 2018 National Music mouth starting to curl. Tell me I’m funny. Go on! Maybe you are interested in networking Festival. The area is beautiful. Stroll along the Tell me! Okay never mind. I guess if you are a business wise. Ladies in California, or Cali trails with your special someone, while listening radical feminist, you might want to check into as the locals call it, you might want to visit to the sounds of the music and the creeks. this venue. But never, never, do a wolf whistle this event. The Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Great place to be outdoors or head over to old to a radical feminist. Well, then again, maybe at Chamber of Commerce presents The Victorian downtown and check out some great dining the Wolf Fest they might allow you
I love my tea set Distanced from oh so wise my comfy bed where violence dwells “Tame the beasts!” my TV The Bombers and and “Colonize!”
I am overfed. the Drug Cartels
Now the boomerang’s
Focused on Corruption at its returned whats “out” and “in” very worst For all of that, what have we learned? wrapped in privileged Forgetting that we Seven levels of Karmic Debt white skin got there first So sad, we ain’t seen nothing yet.
Thinking we were
TOP Poetry Femastrology
JULY 2018 By Astrologer and Psychic, Victoria Bearden
uly will be a wild ride. There’s The primary focus of this shift has to do with and find ways integrate with those who are a lot of planetary activity this worldly power, and how it is used or abused. It “foreign” to us. On the personal level, this will month and it certainly won’t be also has to do with our resources on this planet, be a time of deep introspection and emotional boring. Be ready to dig deep into and how they are used or abused. The extremely revelations. The temptation may be to retreat, your inner psyche and feelings. polarized attitudes and situations we see in the put your head in the sand, and pull back into Many fateful events are coming world around us are a definite sign of both what the safety of your “shell.” But facing important that will stir up powerful emotions. We’ll eclipses we need to learn, and what we need to leave issues and getting to the “heart” of the matter and Mercury retrograde, so things are about to behind. We humans are at the crossroads, to will prove to be the best way to get something Jactively change in our personal lives, and in the a new way of seeing, and a new way of being. useful out of this cycle. world. Embrace new circumstances with calm But evolution is not always a calm and peaceful awareness. process. The bottom line is, we can do better. There’s a Solar Eclipse at 20° degrees Cancer And many people on this planet would like to on Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 7:48 PDT. This We have come to the “crossroads” many times see that happen, so don’t forget that! is the first in a series of 3 eclipses that will in human history. But now, in the Aquarian Age, happen this summer. And this one is going to be with instant global communication, everybody The Sun in Cancer asks us these questions: a dilly. Eclipses tend to stir the pot. Things that knows it. This is a time of great change and What represents security and safety in your have been building and brewing have a way of great challenge, which will be abundantly clear life? Can you connect or reconnect with loved coming to the surface. The Cancer Solar Eclipse as we head towards 2020 and beyond. Many say ones in a positive, meaningful way? How can will definitely fire up strong feelings, intensity, we are at a “tipping point.” The Chinese symbol you stand up for your moral values and ideals and some upheaval, as it lines up in a powerful for “crisis” is composed of the characters for in a proactive and progressive way? Are you opposition to Pluto in Capricorn. Power struggles “danger” and “opportunity.” And times like these willing to accept people whose philosophies and interpersonal conflict are likely, so you’ll always have both elements present. There’s differ from your own? Are you willing to release need to quite literally “choose your battles.” And never been a better time to use spiritual energy old emotional patterns that are no longer valid do it wisely. People will not feel like cooperating and the power of positive thinking to channel in your life? Water Sign Cancer takes us deep much, so attempt to take the high road and hold creative forces into the material world around us. into the realm of emotion, where we can dive in out an olive branch whenever possible. This is I encourage everyone to look upon the current to feelings, memories, and attachments. Cancer doubly true since Mars, the planet of war and changes in our reality as an open doorway to do is loyal, loving, and tribal in many ways. But aggression, is retrograde now. Affirming peace just that! sometimes Cancer’s need for security can turn and maintaining grace under pressure will surely into protectionism and fear of people outside save that day on many occasions this month, so Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn signify a great our group. Collectively, we will be challenged to keep that in mind. shift in awareness about our lives here on earth. go beyond our own tendencies to be clannish, Mercury will turn Retrograde at 23° Leo on 2. July 22-31: The First Mercury Retrograde the energy, so not as big of a deal. Time to play Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at 10:02 pm PDT. “Storm.” This is when things really start catch up and fix and nagging issues that might We will begin to feel “under the influence” as slipping sideways, leading up to and including still need resolution. early as July 7, 2018. It’s time for extra patience the actual day Mercury “stations” and begins the and thoroughness in all important matters. retrograde motion. Since it’s Leo, dealing with The Sun enters Fire Sign Leo on Sunday, July Check and double check appointments, plans bosses and those in authority might be touchy. 22, 2018. The energy shifts to fire, representing and travel itineraries. Back up data and get make People will be quite likely to take things very, action, strength, and leadership. sure vehicles are working properly. Avoid signing very personally. Watch your own tendencies to contracts or making major purchases. Don’t buy try to dominate and control others. There’s a Lunar Eclipse on Friday, July 27, 2018 anything you can’t take back and save those at 04° Aquarius. This one will have quite a kick receipts! Elective surgeries will be best delayed 3. July 25, 2018: Mercury Retrograde 23° to it, as the eclipse will line up with retrograde until later in September. Communication will be Leo: If you know your astrology chart, take a Mars. Tempers will flare. Things that have tougher than usual, so don’t assume anything look to see what house Mercury will transit. It been hidden will come to light. Secrets will be and watch what you say. Since it’s Leo, people will give you hints about what to troubleshoot. revealed. And I’m not going to lie, this planetary may be much more prideful and aggressive, so This would be a good day to stick to a normal, influence will stir up volatile and potentially try not to add fuel to the fire if people become lowkey routine. violent feelings in some people. Hostility is bossy and overbearing. Many important lessons likely to erupt, both personally, and on the world from the past will come to light, and people 4. August 14-22: The Second Mercury stage. But it is also an incredible opportunity from the past will surface. Mercury Retrograde Retrograde “Storm.” This is when things get to clear “stuck” energy and emotions. Keep an can actually help us solve past problems and wacky and chaotic again, leading up to and even keel and consciously direct your thoughts release unwanted attachments! See, it is good including the day Mercury goes direct. But at and actions towards peace and goodness. for something! least we’re heading out of the woods! Many will be moved to stand up for their beliefs. Aquarius is related to humanitarian concerns, Here is the Mercury Retrograde Timeline: 5. August 18, 2018: Mercury Direct at 11° Leo. rights, and freedoms and we will all see these Hallelujah! Remember, it takes a little while themes playing out on the world stage as things 1. July 7-21: The First Mercury Retro to catch up with itself, so pace yourself. The heat up in the cosmos. “Shadow” beings creeping in early July, energy will be potent and a little unpredictable foreshadowing things to come. This is sort of today. like Mercury Retrograde “light” but definitely Opportunity Days: noticeable if you are watching. Tie up loose 6. August 22-Sept 1: The Second Mercury July 6, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 31 ends and get things in order. Retrograde Shadow. This is a milder form of Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) You need to come to terms with the life you are currently living, and It’s time to reconcile your big picture with your inner vision. Take a how it relates to the life you would like to live. Balancing the energy look at your life direction and outer world expression. Does it match in your inner world is the key to success over the weeks to come. Your up with your personal world? Are they balanced? Make peace with your home and security are the cornerstones that create a strong foundation commitments and obligations. Find balance in your life. You are learning from which to launch forward. Make peace with your personal world. lessons about your personal power, and power of creativity. You play an Clear up old problems and patterns related to your family. Resolve any important role in the lives of those around you. Mantra: Potential issues about your home that need attention. Mantra: Stability Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Taurus (April 20-May 20) Embrace your ideals. Learn new things. This is an excellent time to Communication is the central theme now. What are you learning? travel and explore new horizons. Your consciousness is expanding. What do you need to know? And what do you need to tell people You may have an opportunity to teach someone what you know. This around you? You may receive important information from a professional is a fortunate time to take steps towards meaningful goals. Legal and person that will allow you to make future plans with more certainty. Make educational matters should be fortunate. Mantra: New Adventures inquiries about anything you feel you need more information about, so you can make logical decisions over the next few weeks. Make sure all Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) legal matters are in order. And watch what you say and put in writing. Free yourself from unwanted attachments. This is a time for endings Mantra: Clarity that will open the door to new beginnings. Finish up old business. Resolve any problems that are tying you to situations that no longer Gemini (May 21-June 20) seem positive. Release, purge, and let go of emotional baggage. Be Take stock of your money and available resources. You could have conservative in matters of money and joint business ventures. Mantra: opportunities to expand your wealth. But you will also want to make Deliverance sure new options for financial reward are in alignment with your values and long-range goals. Your alliances with others may be tested, and you Capricorn (December 22-January 19) will find out who really has your back. There may be some important Take stock of your important one on one relationships. Spend time endings and necessary endings in your life in the weeks to come. Mantra: with people who want to share with you and open up to sharing Integrity more of yourself. Single Capricorns may find some good prospects for a meaningful connection. Partnerships are advantageous at this time, both Cancer (June 21-July 21) in business, and personally. And people will tend to be helpful now, so This is a time of renewal and self-discovery. If you’ve been doing ask for what you need and you’ll probably get it. Mantra: Sharing well, it’s time to go to the next level. If you’ve been struggling, it’s time to rededicate yourself to finding a path that represents your inner Aquarius (January 20-February 18) truth. Your feelings may be quite intense now. Don’t let obstacles stop You will benefit from all things related to your heath and wellbeing. you from moving forward, just pace yourself. Stagnant relationships need Get into a positive routine that increases your strength and to change. Good ones will prove to be more valuable than ever. Mantra: endurance. Strive for balance in the way you are using your time and Determination energy. This is a good time to access healing and take care of health issues you may have been avoiding, like going to the dentist, or getting Leo (July 23-August 22) your blood checked out. Take steps to get your body, mind, and spirit Your inner awareness is becoming stronger. Pay attention to your into harmony. Mantra: Revitalize intuitions and dreams. You may be starting to uncover some truths about yourself that have been hidden or dormant for years. Your priorities Pisces (February 19-March 20) may be changing as a result of inner questioning. This is a good time for Indulge your Inner Child and open up to your creative side. Do things therapy and self-exploration. Spiritual pursuits could benefit you. This is that up your happiness quotient. Work may demand your attention, also a good time to seek physical healing if need it. Find new ways to but your need for recreation should not be denied. Single Pisces may release stress. Mantra: Awareness find love, so get out there and see what happens! If you have a chance to take a vacation now would be a good time. Social situations create Virgo (August 23-September 22) new opportunities. You may become involved with a new group. Mantra: Networking will be of great benefit to you over the weeks to come. Happy Friends and associates may open doors now. Your social life could expand. Earth Sign planets provide an enormous push towards growth and increase, both personally and professionally. Single Virgos may find a love interest…maybe even a Soul Mate. Mantra: Growth
TOP
BUTCH THE ROOSTER Oldie but goodie with a new political twist [that is so true]. By Unknown
arah was in the fertilized egg business. She had several hundred young pullets and ten roosters to fertilize the eggs.
She kept records, and any rooster not performing went into the soup pot Sand was replaced. This took a lot of time, so she bought some tiny bells and attached them to her roosters. Each bell had a different tone, so she could tell from a distance which rooster was performing. Now, she could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report by just listening to the bells.
Sarah’s favorite rooster, old Butch, was a very fine specimen but, this morning she noticed old Butch’s bell hadn’t rung at all! When she went to investigate, she saw the other roosters were busy chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing, but the pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover.
To Sarah’s amazement, old Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn’t ring. He’d sneak up on a pullet, do his job, and walk on to the next one.
Sarah was so proud of old Butch, she entered him in a show and he became an overnight sensation among the judges.
The result was the judges not only awarded old Butch the “No Bell Peace Prize” they also awarded him the “Pulletsurprise” as well.
Clearly old Butch was a politician in the making. Who else but a politician could figure out how to win two of the most coveted awards on our planet by being the best at sneaking up on the unsuspecting populace and screwing them when they weren’t paying attention?
Vote carefully in the next election. You can’t always hear the bells.
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n her work of the past three years Rose models, and their influence is readily apparent. examples of De Kooning, Picasso, et al, as just Masterpol has been oscillating between Masterpol recapitulates that influence with that – examples of spirit, more important to a drawn line, animated by color as well remarkable intelligence and sensitivity: these her for their attitude than for their manner. She as its own flagellating trail, and a more are genuine, unabashed Abstract Expressionist has learned from them, for instance, to pace painterly stroke that provides given works right down to their Surrealist reliance on herself across a visual field – but the pace she expanses with texture as well as hue. The the impulsive mark and their Cubist articulation maintains is entirely her own. She has learned drawn line assumes a rhythmic animation akin of space. to segue strategically from color to color rather to graffiti writing and on occasion even cartoon than simply dump paint in various areas – but Icaricature, seeming almost choreographed. The irony is that Masterpol’s more “historic” the colors result from her own perception, and Here Masterpol, deliberately or not, proposes painting is, if anything, less studied than her her segues embody her own sensibility. With a translation of hip-hop and other urban dance more “contemporary” work. When she responds every lesson learned, Masterpol finds herself into non-objective painting, perhaps even a kind to the bold moves and bright contrasts of more profoundly as a painter. of notation; certainly, she is re-purposing the today’s pop idioms she picks up on their energy of the “street” to painterly effect. stylizations no less than on their power; she Rose Masterpol would seem to be two painters in reflects the fact that, even while they depend one. In fact, she is one painter paying attention That level of energy carries over into Masterpol’s on boundless invention, the popular arts allow to two modes of expression. Both those modes larger, even more ambitious canvases; but in their artists limited freedom. Like any good pop are urgent and convincing, and she responds to these, she puts aside the self-conscious project artist, Masterpol capitalizes on such restraint by both with insight, conviction, and unmistakable of contemporary reflection and allows herself playing off it, letting restricted modality amplify personality. Those two modes would seem to the luxury of pure painting. If the “drawn” her inventiveness. For truly liberated painting, have little to say to each other; but, like someone paintings manifest a vigorous but studied however, she turns to a tradition of liberty that brought up bi-lingually, Masterpol speaks both response to pop culture, the “painted” paintings she can only inherit from fellow painters. In this with poetic fluency and effortless translation, embody Masterpol’s equally fervent but entirely regard, Masterpol proceeds in the wake of her finding – and building – vivid connections spontaneous response to artists who have come influences with voluble confidence, studying and between them. before her. She cites Joan Mitchell, Pollock, “feeling” rather than simply imitating their imagery De Kooning, Kline, Gorky, and Motherwell as or their method. Indeed, she comprehends the Twisted Roots Vineyard
Happy New Year! Well we are officially into the and cannot be done by machine. Ross, who end up killing the old vines. While only 4 acres New Year and that means a fresh new start, with spent his entire life on the vineyard and learned remain of the original vineyard from 1918, we new goals and expectations of what is ahead from his father on how to properly prune our always struggle with wanting to maximize the of us this year. Well the vineyards of Twisted vines, so that just the right amount of grapes number of bottles each year, we always want Roots are no different, we too are eagerly would be produced and the best quality would to protect our family history and want to make awaiting a new start to our growing season. be achieved. sure that the vines are going to be around for Currently the vineyard is pretty bare, so much so the future as well. that one might not see the future as too bright, If we leave too many buds, which means lots given the almost dead look to the vines. This of grapes will be produced, then our wine will So next time you are out and about, and happen time of year, the vines are completely dormant be light and flabby, too few buds and we lose by a vineyard, remember that while it might look and bare, with all the leaves falling off and the tonnage and don’t have enough great wine to like nothing but twigs, there is a lot more going canes all over the place. That being said, this go around. on out there. Someone, somewhere is focused is a very important time of the year, a time that and concerned about how to handle this mess can determine the production and quality of the When it comes to our “1918” Old Vine Zinfandel of twigs. grapes that will ultimately become our 2015 vineyard, the entire situation of pruning changes. vintages. Even though our family has been at As you can see from the picture here, these this for three generations now and almost 100 vines are wild and twisted by their very nature, Cheers, years, it is still the time of year that causes us so pruning becomes very difficult. The key to concern. Pruning is an art of delicate balance; our rich, bold, yet soft flavors in our “1918” Old Josh Ruiz too much will cause small, uneconomical crops; Vine Zinfandel wines, is pruning these vines Co-Owner/Winemaker too little will cause over-cropping and low- so that they don’t over produce and over work quality fruit. Pruning also facilitates cultivation, these old vines. With most of thewood on these disease control and harvesting, when the vines vines being dead and hollow, if we leave the For more info: are trained to a grow in a particular shape. It is same number of buds as the rest of our vines, http://twistedrootsvineyard.orderport.net/wines/ a skill that requires experience and judgment we would end up over working the vines and Current-Releases Susan St. Thomas Gallery
“Stardust Reveries”
An exhibit of celestial abstract art by Susan St. With over 40 years as a professional astrologer, precision painting and loose free flowing washes, Thomas at the Sebastopol Gallery, 150 N Main Susan combines her fascination with the language she integrates avariety of innovative techniques St. Sebastopol, CA 95465. of the stars and her lifelong expression as an to express her imagination. www.sebastopol-gallery.com artist. This collection is inspired by the images 707 829-7200 captured by the Hubble telescope of deep space Reception for the artist plus 14 other gallery – a boundless realm of ever changing form. member artists: October 11, 4-6pm.
Susan uses layered glazes of acrylic to create Free artists talk, “Art and Astrology” at the depth and a dance of light and color, sometimes gallery: October 22, 7pm. mixing media and collage. Capable of both
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