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LESBIAN NEWS VOL. 43 ∙ NO. 08 ∙ March 2018

JESSIE REYEZ ON THE RISE All eyes on this breakout star

RED AS BLUE: A NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL BY JI STRANGEWAY

CLEXACON: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

HAIM: MAKING MUSIC LN Contributors

Anne Laure Pineau At 32, Anne Laure is a Parisian journalist working for national magazines (ELLE, -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, , bisexual and 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 (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 , 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 , 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 . 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, 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 March 2018

CONTENTS

LESBIAN NEWS

COVER STORY

JESSIE REYEZ ON THE RISE All eyes on this breakout star. By Joseph F. Nacino

FEATURE

CLEXACON: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INSIDE LN The largest convention for LGBTQ+ women and allies stand as a viable resource and a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ women’s representation in entertainment . HOTSPOTS By Michel Khordoc SPRINGTIME HOTSPOTS RED AS BLUE: A NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL POETRY BY JI STRANGEWAY ANATOMY OF A TRAIN Visual artist, poet, and filmmaker offers a raw and realistic WRECK take on the teenage experience for LGBTQ youth. By Michel Khordoc FEMASTROLOGY MARCH 2018 GERTRUDE STEIN, OPIUM QUEEN Excerpted from So Famous and So Gay: The Fabulous LOL Potency of Truman Capote and Gertrude Stein SHE ROCKS AWARDS By Jeff Solomon VACATION LIFESTYLES

MoviesEyeC ANGELA’S ACCUSATIONS Seduction and “Submission” Follow Us Online! By John Esther

LESBIANNEWS.COM Notes From Nat HAIM: MAKING MUSIC Talented sisters seamlessly blend flower child and modern Let us know pop music into their own fascinating style. what you think. By Nat Burns

Spirituality IT’S TIME By Dina Evan, PhD

COLUMNS

Positive Reflections THE GREATEST SHOWGIRL Have you ever felt like crawling under a rock because of embarrassment? By Dian Katz, MS Find More Single Lesbian Women at LezMeetOnline.com

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JESSIE REYEZ ON THE RISE All eyes on this breakout star By Joseph F. Nacino

he star of Colombian-Canadian 20 million streams and caught the attention of “With the addition of Jessie Reyez we have one singer- Jessie Reyez multiple labels. of the most exciting and stellar female line up is on the rise, and we’re excited in Dinah history,” said Mariah Hanson, founder to see her rock out at this Since then, she played at her first New York and producer of The Dinah. year’s Club Skirt’s The Dinah Festival, the Governor’s Ball. She performed Weekend. her heartbreak anthem “Figures” at the 2017 Hanson added that Jessie is “one of music BET Awards as well as on The Tonight Show industry’s most exciting emerging artist and a This goes to show how The Dinah, now on its 28 Starring Jimmy Fallon. perfect example of a trailblazer in the #Metoo Tyears as the longest running and largest lesbian Movement.” event in the world, knows the female hitmakers She also appeared on Scottish DJ and producer of tomorrow. ’ “Hard to Love” off Funk Wav “We couldn’t be more proud to showcase her Bounces Volume 1, and finished a US tour with at an event like The Dinah that epitomizes a sold-out show at the Mod Club in last the definition of Women Empowerment,” she SHINING BRIGHT July. declared. The year 2017 was when Jessie broke out. She released her debut EP “Kiddo” in April of last With Jessie confirmed in the performance lineup year, which got the approval of Sir Elton John of The Dinah, things are definitely heating up DARKSTAR on Beats 1 radio. This had more than for the yearly event. Aside from writing her own songs and singing them, Jessie also co-wrote a 12-minute short film Another line goes: “You could be famous. You She began playing the guitar as a child and with director Peter Huang called “Gatekeeper,” know we’re holding the dreams that you’re while studying in high school, she wrote her which she also narrated and acted in. chasing. You know you’re supposed to get drunk own music daily. and get naked.” This film likewise had an accompaniment song “I think the first song might have been when of the same title, which was released last April She didn’t name the producer in the song; I was like, in grade one, maybe? It was really and resonated with the #Metoo movement. likewise, Jessie told him no despite being ironic, ‘cause it was a kid talking about taking Quite aptly too, given Jessie’s own experience tempted by it. She was determined to pursue time with growing up,” she told Billboard in a in the music industry. her dream of singing professionally, but on her recent interview. own terms. In the song, Jessie tells of her experience five During her sophomore year, she moved back to years ago before when a pushed Toronto but opted out of college after graduating. for sexual favours in exchange for helping her A STAR IS BORN She then headed to Florida where she mixed get started in the music business. Jessie has come a long way when she was three bartending and busking at the beach so that years old and she wanted to be a singer. Born she could disseminate her mix tapes. As she sings in the lyrics: “Thirty million people to Columbian parents in Toronto, Canada, she want a shot, how much would it take for you to moved with her family to the city of in With the help of Mauricio Ruiz (who later became spread those legs apart?” . her manager), she was directed to—and was accepted in—The Remix Project’s Academy of have become the new Alanis Morissette for the She was also nominated for a for Recording Arts in Toronto in 2014. millennial age.” Breakthrough Artist of the Year at the Canadian Juno Awards of 2018, which will be held this She even went to Sweden for a songwriting “Dropping F-Bombs and speaking a Canadian- March. She will be performing during the main workshop where she came up with hits to pitch Columbian mix, she has stomped her tiny boots ceremony as well. to major artists. But she caught her first break right on top of the music industry,” she added. when Chicago rapper King Louie, who spoke at Of course, she’ll be performing at The Dinah the academy, asked her to feature on his song Of Jessie’s first album, Burns said: “Explicit and Weekend on March 31 at the PS Convention “Living in the Sky.” hardcore, these tunes are emotional and sung Center during The Hollywood Party. (The whole with a gritty, Amy Winehouse style.” Dinah Weekend is scheduled to run from March She started spinning out her first singles with 28 to April 1.) “Shutter Island” and “Figures” on Beats 1 radio, Burns also noted that Jessie credits a lot of her which garnered acclaim. That was when she success to having supportive, even encouraging She takes to heart the advice given by one of decided to release her first album, “Kiddo.” parents, with Jessie’s mother telling her often: her mentors, King Louie, who told her: “Just “if you are going to do something, you have to know that you want to elevate yourself. Know give it your all.” that you want to progress. Know that you want ASTRONOMY success.” As our very own Nat Burns described her in our Lesbian News October 2017 issue: “Honest BURNING BRIGHT More importantly, she wants to remain honest in and human, that’s new artist Jessie Reyez in a Jessie has been keeping herself busy since she her songs. Talking to Interview Magazine, she nutshell.” wrapped up her US tour. She performed on the said: “I want it to sound good, but I want it to be CBC Niagara Falls New Year’s Eve televised honest. I want it to not be anything synthetic or “Reyez is a very sweet, if , dynamo,” event last December 31. anything forced. I want it to be human.” Burns wrote. “At only twenty-six, she seems to

TOP

CLEXACON: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION The largest convention for LGBTQ+ women and allies stand as a viable resource and a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ women’s representation in entertainment. By Michel Khordoc

eturning to Sin City for the visual artists, academics and fans from over second consecutive year, 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states to celebrate It also focuses on ‘inclusion’ with a series of ClexaCon is a unique kind the best of LGBTQ+ TV and film and discuss panels tackling issues ranging from ‘Bias in the of media and entertainment how to improve representation across all media Media and Stereotype’, ‘Bisexual Representation convention for LGBTQ+ women platforms. in the Media’, ‘Decolonizing the LGBTQ Sphere: and allies. Indigenous Queer Representation in the Media’, Nothing is more crucial and urgently important ‘Gaysian: Queer Asian Representation’ and Taking place in Las Vegas April 5th through today than diversity and inclusion, and not ‘Disabled LGBTQ+ Representation’, to name a RApril 9th, 2018 at the Tropicana Hotel, ClexaCon just in Hollywood but in all business models few. celebrates queer female characters and stories, and fields. This is where ClexaCon comes in comics, books, connecting fans, celebrities, as a leader in an industry-wide conversation to Continuing its endeavor to create a morally creators and journalists. effectively rally together the decision makers accountable event, ClexaCon is dedicating and influencers of our community to formulate its social responsibility platform this year to It also hosts a series of panels on a multitude and put forth real change to counter the lack of The True Colors Fund. Co-founded by Cyndi of topics, workshops, charity events, parties, representation for LGBTQ+ women in front and Lauper, the nonprofit organization works to end as well as a three-day film festival and a behind the camera. homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual, loud message of gender equality, female and transgender youth, creating a world in which empowerment, diversity and inclusion. With that in mind, ClexaCon aims to foster young people can be their true selves. dialogue around various aspects of diversity The event brings together actresses, directors, including gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity What started as a simple meet-up to unite fans producers, writers, comic book illustrators, and age, among others. of LGBTQ+ pop culture evolved into a full-blown convention with over 2,000 attendees last year. and Natasha Negovanlis (Carmilla), Elizabeth voices. Pick up a camera, grab a pen, start ClexaCon is expected to welcome some 3,000+ Keener (The L Word, Skirtchasers), Rachel writing, start creating because there are other attendees this spring. Skarsten (, Reign), Zoie Palmer (Lost people who care about what you have to say,” Girl, Dark Matter). says Ashley Arnold. In its first year, ClexaCon brought quite a variety of celebrity guests who are playing or have The name ClexaCon was born from the fan What makes ClexaCon relevant and current played LGBTQ+ characters on screen. favorite ship ‘Clexa’ (Clarke & Lexa) on the show within today’s social, cultural and political . In 2016, lesbian Commander Lexa was landscape is that it is the only event of its size Last year, Sara Ramirez, known for her role killed by a bullet minutes after consummating in the world. More and more comic con-type as bisexual Dr. Callie Torres on the popular her relationship with bisexual lead, Clarke events are popping up all over the U.S. but it’s television series, Grey’s Anatomy joined the Griffin, thus checking all the boxes of the ‘Bury hard to find LGBTQ+ content in those spaces, conversation at the queer women of color pop- Your Gays’ trope. This heartbreaking moment let alone events that are geared specifically to up panel, speaking about her own led the organizers of ClexaCon to create one of our community. and struggles as a biracial woman. the first conventions geared towards LGBTQ+ women to move the conversation forward in a At a time when lesbian spaces, festivals and Ramirez wasn’t the only celeb to get personal. more positive way. publications are rampantly vanishing all across Many others joined the convention and this year the country, ClexaCon becomes fundamentally will be no different. ClexaCon was created and is run by Holly necessary to reconnect a community - making Winebarger, Ashley Arnold and Danielle an impact by providing a safe place for LGBTQ+ Featured guests for 2018 include Chlyer Jablonski with the goal to provide a safe women from all walks of life to come together Leigh (Supergirl, Grey’s Anatomy), Caity Lotz space and a world-wide community of LGBTQ+ and act as agents of change. (Legends of Tomorrow), Isabella Gomez, Gloria women and allies who love TV, film, comics and Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce (One Day at a books; to encourage more LGBTQ+ women to ClexaCon is dedicated to being both a resource Time), (Lost Girl), Dot Marie Jones get involved in content creation; to embolden and an advocate for the value of diversity, (Glee), Nikohl Boosheri (The Bold Type), as well allies to improve representation for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. It is now becoming a as many returning guests including Amy Acker characters in their creative work. marquee destination for all things women in (The Gifted, Person of Interest), Sarah Shahi entertainment, proving that there is both quality (Person of Interest, The L Word), Katherine “We hope attendees feel empowered. We want and quantity to be found when it comes to Barrell, Dominique Provost-Chalkley and them to leave knowing this industry, like all creative work that represents LGBTQ+ women. Emily Andras (Wynonna Earp), Elise Bauman industries, is in desperate need of more diverse

RED AS BLUE: A NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL BY JI STRANGEWAY Visual artist, poet, and filmmaker offers a raw and realistic take on the teenage experience for LGBTQ youth. By Michel Khordoc

ith a unique, genre- a Mexican-Armenian teen struggling to make Touching on numerous settings and themes bending style sense of everything—her life, her sexuality, and ranging from the LGBTQ community to the that is sometimes her future. punk rock scene to the Reagan Era and high lyrical, sometimes school shootings, the book is a hybrid graphic sharp as a razor’s “Red as Blue,” Strangeway explains, “is a story novel that combines prose and screenplay with edge, and always that was huge for me to write because it covers illustrations. engaging; Ji Strangeway’s Red as Blue, beckons so many things that were burning in my heart. LGBTQ youths and X-gens to beautifully come It covers the teenage angst I felt growing up And it questions some of our mostly deeply-held Wof age all over again. gay in a conservative, violent, toxic, and closed beliefs about beauty, love, and acceptance. minded environment.” Ji Strangeway is a creator. A filmmaker by day High school is a near-universal experience that and writer and poet by night, Strangeway has Raised in Colorado, Strangeway faced racism, many of us can relate to. It is also a complicated, built a career crafting compelling narratives bullying, and homophobia throughout her turbulent and messy time in life in that comes that capture the attention and imagination of childhood. During that time there were few with a load and wide range of feelings. Myriads audiences across a variety of artistic mediums. role models, as openly-LGBT characters were of books have been written about it…but Ji’s largely absent from books, TV, and movies. unique approach with Red As Blue makes this She is less focused on what she does than on why graphic novel an essential – certainly among the she does it. For her, it’s all about telling stories “When you don’t have anything to fit you into few gems that really nail it and have something that address themes of struggle and triumph, the picture of the society you live in,” she says, to say. stories that evoke a sense of hopefulness even “you have no hope.” in dark spaces. “I want to show today’s generation, as well as Strangeway created Red as Blue to offer a future generations, that transformation of energy Strangeway’s debut novel, Red as Blue, is set beacon of light for those struggling to find and creativity is vital in overcoming adversity. in a fictional Colorado desert town in the 1980s. meaning in life. At its core, Red as Blue is about And that love is the answer—it is and always The book follows 15-year-old June Lusparian, the power of love rather than the love of power. will be.” TOP

GERTRUDE STEIN, OPIUM QUEEN Excerpted from So Famous and So Gay: The Fabulous Potency of Truman Capote and Gertrude Stein By Jeff Solomon

rom the 1910s until the 1930s, of others. As for herself, she displayed female remembered today by the oft-parodied “Kiss many readers pictured Gertrude masculinity. me, you fool!”: a corruption of the “Kiss me, my Stein lounging on a divan that fool!” with which the vamp taunts her prey. drew from fin de siècle clichés Nonetheless, Stein did share one important as well as tropes of silent films. attribute with the opium queen and the vamp: The success of the film was beholden to the Sometimes she was intoxicated, ethnicity. The orientalist valences of Judaism sculpture of Bara’s celebrity persona by Fox and sometimes she hallucinated. Sometimes rhyme well with the Asian accoutrement of the public relations. Bara was promoted as the she smoked opium, and sometimes hash. Just opium den, as well as the public personae of daughter of a French artist and his Egyptian Fas Stein’s followers were portrayed as decadent, vamps of the silent screen. The marketing of concubine—or was she the Egyptian-born so was Stein herself. Theda Bara, the first movie star, is instructive daughter of a French actress and an Italian here. Bara was born Theodosia Goodman of a sculptor? In any event, she was raised in Now, although Stein did many things in her long, Jewish, Polish-born father and a Swiss mother, the shadow of the Sphinx. Publicity shots of eventful life, she never lolled on a chaise longue, probably in 1890. She came to prominence in The Serpent of the Nile surrounded her with batting heavy eyelids as she turned from her the 1915 film A Fool There Was, inspired by skeletons, crystal balls, and other orientalist silver-gilt syringe to lure her victim to his doom. Kipling’s poem “The Vampire.” As the vampire, tat, and Bara was encouraged to discuss the Stein, a practiced hostess, did hold court at Bara drags an upstanding married industrialist occult in public. When Bara’s Cleopatra was parties, and she certainly had a memorable and into decadence, alcoholism, and the grave. The released, in 1917, her name was revealed as an sexual presence. Yet she seems never to have vamp recollects the fin de siècle not only in her anagram of “Arab Death,” and in interviews she offered a traditional display of heterosexual textual origin but also in the salons that she claimed to be the reincarnation of a daughter of accessibility in the service of seduction. She hosts and the debauchery that she provokes, the high priest of the pharaohs. Her filmography preferred to appreciate the feminine display and in exotic accoutrements. The film is still reveals that any orientalist temptress—Salome, Mata Hari, La Esmeralda—might be projected indolent that her only effort is to slowly roll her upon Bara’s “Jewish” features, her large nose head. Stein has “tired, disdainful eyes” not from and large dark eyes. Bara would make thirty- work but from the fatigue that plagues those who eight films over the next four years, until Fox exhaust all pleasure. Her sexual appeal is not dropped her contract and effectively ended her explicit but is nonetheless inherent in the trope career—but not before intensive publicity had of “a languid woman reclining on a couch.” Kiss helped her to a prominent seat in the cultural me, my Fool! imaginary’s decadent salon. Anderson wrote within seven years of Theda Other vamps, including Pola Negri and Alla Bara’s lying languid on a divan in A Fool There Nazimova, also had their sexuality heightened Was, smoking with disdain as she rebooted the through emphasis upon their eastern European clichés of the fin de siècle. Note the fantasy or Middle Eastern origin, which was often of Stein “sipping absinthes perhaps.” And false. Stein did not need to change her name what kind of cigarette is Stein smoking? What in order to grease her entry into this harem, for makes an opium den besides women smoking the public drew this conclusion from available on upholstered sofas? Eastern stage dressing, evidence. Stein was a Jewish, unmarried, here supplied by Jewish Stein. The image of financially independent woman who lived in Stein seductively smoking on her divan offered France and collected art, socialized with the the added advantage of challenging neither the most avant-garde artists, and was herself an dominance of heterosexuality nor the idea that experimental writer. Stein’s broad queerness female sexual appeal was for the benefit of men. was so pronounced in the American imagination that she was freely associated with behaviors Yet Anderson’s description also makes plain how and attributes that were not her own but Stein’s persona referenced her homosexuality, were nonetheless present in stereotypes of both generally, through louche bohemia, and inappropriate female behavior. Putting Stein on specifically, through her partner. We may the opium couch and in the orientalist harem detect Toklas in the secretary who approaches made her safer and more comprehensible, both Stein with “trembling eagerness,” though the more appealing and easier to dismiss. actual Toklas was not prone to trembling. Those who did not recognize Toklas did know The reminiscences of Sherwood Anderson and that single women working in the arts were Richard Wright exemplify this mistaken embrace. sexually suspect. Furthermore, the American Anderson and Wright offer evidence that Stein’s public believed Paris to be the natural habitat broad queerness was so strongly fixed in the of the lesbian. Until Radclyffe Hall’s The Well of public imagination that it could travel freely Loneliness (1928)—which itself positions Paris along nonnormative chains of association. This as a decadent lesbian haven—most available was the freedom that, when coupled with Stein’s depictions of female same-sexuality were in newfound respectability, successfully cloaked French literature. This meshed nicely with the the exhibition of lesbian identity and erotics in sexual freedom that Americans associated with The Autobiography. Anderson illustrates how France. this took place in his 1922 essay “The Work of Gertrude Stein”: Excerpted from So Famous and So Gay: The I had myself heard stories of a long dark Fabulous Potency of Truman Capote and room with a languid woman lying on a Gertrude Stein by Jeff Solomon. couch, smoking cigarettes, sipping absinthes perhaps and looking out upon the world with Published by the University of Minnesota tired, disdainful eyes. Now and then she Press. Copyright 2017 by the Regents of the rolled her head slowly to one side and uttered University of Minnesota. Used by permission. a few words, taken down by a secretary who approached the couch with trembling www.upress.umn.edu eagerness to catch the falling pearls.

The metaphor of falling pearls implies that Stein is so rich that she may strew gems, and so TOP

MoviesEyeC

ANGELA’S ACCUSATIONS Seduction and “Submission” By John Esther

nce a rising star in one thing Ted has going for him is Sherrie (Kyra class?). In a classroom of eight or so students the literary world, Ted Sedgwick), his loving, professional, attractive she is the smart one. She is also working on a Swenson (Stanley wife. novel and like any budding writer she wants a Tucci) now finds himself Off duty Ted likes to drink booze and struggles to legendary writer to read her manuscripts. “I’ve disappointed in his complete his second novel, “The Black and the read your book more than other book,” she tells predicament. Now Black,” a post-modern adaptation of Stendhal’s him. a professor at a liberal arts college in the 1830 French novel, “The Red and the Black” Northeast, Ted does not care for his colleagues (which sounds like a lousy idea). The title of her novel in progress, “Eggs” is Oor his ignorant students. On that same note, about a teenager who seduces her science his adult daughter, Ruby (Colby Minifie), does Pretty much it has been a humdrum decade teacher. Rather than analyze the power not care for her father. Apparently he drove a for Ted until a student, Angela Argo (Addison structure between student and teacher – which wedge between Ruby and some dude with a Timlin), starts speaking up in his creative writing not only does Angela’s narrator never question, bad reputation and she still holds a grudge. The course. (By the way, does he only teach one but rather approves of it (she is the “predator”) -- Ted is impressed with the book to the extent An updated adaptation of Francine Prose’s As more women come forward, creating a he starts imagining he is the science teacher -- “The Blue Angel,” which was also adapted “domino” effect with more women coming being seduced (or doing the seducing). by Josef Von Sternberg’s and which the film forward, the patriarchy and those accused (like refers to and shows scenes from – writer- the US “president”) lay blame on the victim, In addition to “Eggs,” Ted discovers Angela director Richard Levine’s “Submission” is not often calling them liars. In other words, these wrote a book of erotica. It was never published, exactly being submitted for public consumption women are falsely accusing their assailants. but she did donate a copy to the college library. at the most opportune moment, certainly not Ted checks it out, leading to more fantasies with regard to the MeToo movement (#metoo) And it will only take a few false accusations, about sex with Angela. movement. narratives which are proven false, to undermine For the past year or so, women have been the MeToo movement. Granted, Angela is a For the viewer it becomes increasing clear that coming out to name their abusers, their rapists, fictional character, but her story does not belong Angela is up to something, but Ted, the brilliant their stalkers. in the MeTo movement or whatever its fictional novelist -- a craft dependent on keen powers counterpart may be. of observation -- seems to be oblivious. When These accusations can ruin careers, marriages, the two finally cross the line, Angela’s behavior even lives of the accused. Regardless of the facts increasingly alters, showcasing a wider range these accusations usually do, often deservedly of emotions. so. TOP

Notes From Nat

HAIM: MAKING MUSIC Talented sisters seamlessly blend flower child and modern pop music into their own fascinating style. By Nat Burns

he all-female pop band Haim Here is “Forever” from : Coachella, Bonnaroo, and they are special (say it hi-um) is touring again. favorites at . This past summer they released www..com/watch?v=sEwM6ERq0gc their second studio album A little drum jam at 2016’s Lollapalooza: and it’s Haim is primarily made up of three sisters, Este, been well received, debuting Danielle, and Alana Haim, hailing from Los www.youtube.com/watch?v=cenWB2c-qKA in the top ten on Billboard’s Top Two Hundred Angeles. Plus, they sometimes use drummer Albums chart. The album is the late follow up Dash Hutton during live shows. Known for They grew up in a musical family and seem to Tto their popular 2013 debut album, “Days Are fun, high-energy performances, Haim has have an inborn talent. Their mother, Donna, Gone”, which earned them a Grammy nomination toured the world, playing private venues and actually wanted to be a singer but life interfered. for Best New Artist. festivals, including Glastonberry, Lollapalooza, Their Israeli-born father, Moti, played drums, and working together, the family formed a band Their star has been rising steadily. In the UK, Though the sisters are proficient with numerous called Rockinhaim. They mostly played cover they were touted in the Sound of Music 2013. instruments, the schematic usually runs to Este versions of pop songs at small local events, They toured the UK for the first time in late 2012 on bass guitar and vocals, Danielle on vocals with Moti on drums, Donna on guitar and the and began supporting other touring bands there and guitar and Alana on guitars, keyboards and sisters doing what they do best-dancing and and here in the States. Their American audience vocals. They’re all well-educated musically, entertaining. has grown over the years, and they seem to Este even has a degree in ethnomusicology have a lesbian following that, when interviewed, from UCLA. Here’s a video of all of them performing together: they say they are extremely grateful for. From the Something to Tell You album, “Want www.youtube.com/watch?time_ This is a fun dancing video, “”: you Back”: continue=376&v=9JLa4lYGE5I www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJYWgb6dQM www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPQfcG-eimk After several start-up bands, formed and reformed by the sisters, they officially became The band was also featured on the original After Days are Gone was released, they almost Haim in 2012, with the goal of incorporating more soundtrack of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – immediately began writing for this new album. modern pop and R&B into their somewhat folksy Part 1 and also The Divergent Series: Insurgent. Then, in the course of recording Something to music. Their first EP, Forever, was released that They were nominated for Best New Artist at the Tell You, their album producer, , year and garnered them a contract with UK’s 57th Annual Grammy Awards and they have was diagnosed with testicular cancer. This , where they released their won a handful of awards in the UK. delayed the project by several years. But it’s debut album. out now, finally, and the delay may have added I really like this track from their first album, a touch of melancholic depth to the work, as “The Wire” from Days are Gone: called “Don’t Save Me”: they all supported Rechtshaid’s treatment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TffpkE2GU4 www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiqIush2nTA This is a beautiful ballad from Something to Tell Just for fun— You,“Night So Long”: Twenty-Two things You Need to Know About www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-pr5-G6Pw Your New Favorite Band, Haim: www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/22-things-you- Interestingly enough, Haim’s music, perhaps need-to-know-about-your-new-favorite-band- because of their 70s preoccupied parents, haim?utm_term=.pc9wwZEQAw#.iaVZZBoNKZ seems to be somewhat self-contained. They deal with emotion and personal issues more than politicism or worldly wrongs. Not that this © 2017 Polydor is a bad thing, but it’s just one more unique facet to their talent. www.haimtheband.com

I am strangely drawn to this track, “Right Now”: Always remember, if the links won’t open, copy www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1LLWHroWgA and paste them into your browser.

One thing I really like about this band is that, ‘Til next month— in their videos, they are not trying to be overly sexy or represent as some kind of fashion icons. Nat They are just ordinary girls making music, reminiscent of the boy band, Hanson. I like that. These musicians are real women, singing real music. It doesn’t get much better than that. TOP

Spirituality

IT’S TIME By Dina Evan, PhD

If there ever was a time, this is the time to do what we came here to do; stand up, speak out, tell the truth, fight for those who cannot fight for themselves and refuse the status quo.

No more waiting to see what will happen. It’s time to make it happen with integrity and courage.

And, whether you realize it or not, there is an army with you, both seen and unseen. Do it now.

Take one small step each day and then another and another. Act with compassion and grace, but act.

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 . 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. Positive Reflections

THE GREATEST SHOWGIRL Have you ever felt like crawling under a rock because of embarrassment? By Dian Katz, MS

kay, I can’t believe I’m tub of popcorn that came with a refill and then touch it, not even my hands. So there I was in going to share this very grabbed our seats. Since movie popcorn is this jam-packed theater bathroom with a huge embarrassing story for my all-time favorite snack, I wanted the whole empty popcorn tub hanging from my mouth. your amusement. I like bucket to myself. You know… oink oink! Yes, sharing stories that you heard that right. I dumped the first batch of The toilet in the bathroom stall I got into didn’t remind us we are all popcorn into a tray for my friend and told her I’ll have the toilet seat cover on. I wanted to use humans and that it’s okay to just be real even eat the refill. I hurried and got some while she the toilet seat cover and so I grabbed it and if it is “I” who is the one who pays the price for saved our seats. tried putting it on the toilet seat. But the thing Othis lesson. is… I can’t really see what I was doing. Why? I realized that it’s wise to use the bathroom before Because my view was obstructed by the huge I’m a complete avid movie goer. I absolutely getting the popcorn and so to the bathroom popcorn box in my mouth!!! I tried putting the LOVE going to the movies with my buddies. One I went. I didn’t want my popcorn container to seat cover on the toilet many times but missed. time, I was at the movie theater with a friend. touch anything in the bathroom, which totally I turned sideways each time to check from the We went to see a movie called The Greatest grosses me out. I certainly didn’t want to put the corner of one eye if I got the seat cover placed Showman, which by the way was outstanding. container down either. I decided I to just hold on the toilet correctly and got frustrated when I thoroughly enjoyed it. We purchased a huge the container with my teeth and not let anything it wasn’t. I felt like I was at a ring tossing game at a carnival and it took me several tries until Then I heard teenagers giggling as I walked by. then removed the popcorn tub from my mouth. FINALLY the damned thing landed on the toilet Well, I must have looked pretty idiotic with a I saw the lady. Slowly, I looked to see where seat! VICTORY! big popcorn box on my face and so of course she was pointing. It was like everything was in anyone who saw me would have laughed. I slooooooow motion. Sloooooooowly, I turned Now at this point, I don’t need to tell you the started to find the whole situation a bit funny to look where she was pointing at. I turned my fine details. You get the picture. I did my thing, and began to chuckle a little too. My chuckles neck all the way around to see my behind. HOLY blah, blah, zipped the pants, blah, blah. Yes, were muffled and it echoed in the box making MOTHER OF POPCORN GOD!!! THE TOILET the whole time I had the empty carton in my it sound like I was inside a deep well. I heard SEAT COVER WAS HANGING OUT FROM MY mouth clamped down by my teeth. And it’s not more laughs and so I laughed more too. It was GAWD DAMN PANTS!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!! the easiest task to try and get your pants up and getting comical and I was getting embarrassed. NOT IN FRONT OF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE!!! I all that with an enormous box on your mouth. TURNED 50 SHADES OF RED!!! NO WONDER I got to the sink area, stumbled around for THEY WERE LAUGHING!!! WHY!!! WHY!!! Okay, so I needed to wash my hands. I just had the water and soap, and finally got my hands WHY!!! WHY NOW!!! WHY ME!!! to wash my hands, dry them, and then I can washed. I reached over to search for some finally grab the tub WITH MY HANDS and go paper towels then somebody tapped me on my I wanted to crawl under a rock and die at that get my damn refill. Easier said than done! I went shoulder. A woman said in a very nervous voice, moment. I mean seriously, it was a circus act out of my stall and walked toward the sink with “um, excuse me miss.” I thought, “Oh great, did I trying to go to the bathroom with a box on my this popcorn container as big as my head in my knock someone with my box? Did I accidentally face. I grabbed that seat cover so fast and mouth. I was sure everyone was looking at me, grab some old lady’s boob? Was there popcorn tossed it off me. Washed my hands again and but I can’t see them anyway… because all I see salt all over my eyebrows or something? Was RAN LIKE HELL OUT OF THERE!!! is the inside of the stupid thing in my mouth. my popcorn box smashed from running into something?” But, nooooo! It was much worse... Note to self: the next time you go to the movies, I must have walked like Frankenstein with arms “um, excuse me miss...” then she whispers, use the bathroom first and THEN buy TWO tubs stretched in front of me trying to feel my way “there’s something stuck on your back...” of popcorn. around to the sink. I almost bumped into people. I’m like, “sorry miss, sorry ma’am, sorry, sorry.” I grabbed a paper towel, wiped my hands dry, and

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SPRINGTIME HOTSPOTS Ready for partying, ladies? By Dian Katz, MS

’m marching, I’m marching… Why are you Ladies, you don’t want to miss out on this. It is For more info, boom boom over to your computer marching, Dian? I’m marching to the tune one fun packed few days I tell you! Host Hotels and go to: https://thedinah.com of March! Oh stop! How else can I open include The Hilton Hotel and The Hard Rock a column during the month of March? So hotel. You probably can expect to not sleep for a WINTER PARTY FESTIVAL let me march! In fact, I will march to the few days during this event. LOL! I mean with the Over on the other side of the USA, the WINTER beat I drum! Okay, okay, I’m here for a excitement of thousands of women everywhere PARTY FESTIVAL will still be going on until specific reason. It’s to share all the Hotspots and I do mean everywhere, it will be hard not to March 6 in Beach. happening this March. Hold your Hotspot horses feel the vibrations of all these party-goers. Iwould ya? “Winter Party is a week-long festival of iconic You can also expect to lounge around at pool dance and social events celebrating its 25th There are huge events for women happening parties, sipping a cool one and either just Edition and produced to raise critical funds this month. It’s the time of year when the biggest checking out all of the eye candy or engaging for the LGBTQ community. For the LGBTQ parties around for ladies start sprouting all with all the women attending. Oh and at the community and our allies, Winter Party is a around. Hey, I said sprouting… just like all the pool parties, there are always great bands and place to rejuvenate and recharge. It’s a place to flowers that’s start sprouting at the beginning awesome DJ’s. The sound of the thumping bass clear our heads, fill our hearts, and engage our of Spring. Oh okay, so you would rather have will be felt in every part of your body. I can hear minds. It’s also where we can let loose and kick me get to the details of the parties and stop it now… thump, thump, boom, boom, bam, bam. off our heels. We live in a world that challenges the March and sprouting blah, blah. Sure, okay! Oh sorry, sorry. I just have been to The Dinah us every day, telling us we’re different and Don’t mind me. Not that you ever do. Sheesh! many times and I can feel the music as if I “am” less worthy than others, and while that may So here are the parties we’re all excited about: the music. NO! I am not smoking something be changing, the progress is slow and we are funny! There will also be comedy shows with still treated with inequality. It can wear off even DINAH SHORE WEEKEND hilarious comics, dance parties that will blow the strongest among us. It makes us long for a DINAH SHORE WEEKEND in PALM SPRINGS, your mind, and various other activities. So if safe haven, a place where we can be ourselves, CALIFORNIA, baybeeeee! CLUB SKIRTS you are looking for some serious, intense, fun surrounded by our chosen family and accepted presents, THE DINAH on March 28 to April 1. and partying, this is the place. and loved just the way we are. Winter Party is that place, a safe haven where we can LIVE outcry and public sympathy focuses on male LGBTQ themed movies. Bring them on, I say! FREE,” say Winter Party Festival producers. victims – while murdered females are often left And in Melbourne! Holy Wow!!! I bet there are out of the picture completely. Thus was born kangaroos all around the joint. HA! I will go in Well I can tell you, there will be plenty of boom- the #SayHerName movement. Meanwhile, with one of them inside its pouch. boom going on here. Hey! I’m talking about the #BLM has expanded its scope to include the bass. It’s all about the bass, yanno. I have no removal of Confederate symbols from public “We’ve risen to the challenge and the 27th idea where your minds went, but I don’t think places. Today Florida activists Danielle Allen Melbourne Queer Film Festival has many things it was on the sound of the bass. Here, there and Tifanny Burks will present an informative to be excited about: our Centrepiece this year, will also be dancing, outdoor activities, cocktail slideshow, after which we’ll discuss where #BLM Pulse is the feature debut from one of our 2016 parties, art, and so much more. So whether and #SayHerName,” say promoters. Australian shorts alumni, acclaimed features you’re from East Coast or West Coast, a Hotspot from the world’s biggest queer film awards, and awaits you! Also, there will be panels such as, “Mothers I’m particularly excited about bringing you some For more info on this event, jump up and down against Murderers, Finding our Roots: Intro to great classics. I can’t wait to hear about your and go to: http://winterparty.com Genealogy, Sexual Abuse in the Black Church, MQFF highlights,” says the Program Manager. LGBT issues in the Black Community, the War BLACK WOMEN RISE on Women and Planned Parenthood” as well as For more information, reel over to the computer Women of color will be attending the BLACK some humor, entertainment and self-care talks. and go to: http://www.mqff.com.au WOMEN RISE conference in West Palm Beach, Florida on March 17. The venue for this event For more information, go to: http://www. is the Metropolitan Community Church on blackwomenrise.net Where did the time go? I was just marching Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach. about while we’re having fun talking about all of MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL the March Hotspots, but now we’ve ran out of Slated for the event are some very informative Out in Melbourne, you ladies can attend the time. Well, not to worry. There’s always more of and educational panels. “The notorious hanging MELBOURNE QUEER FILM FESTIVAL on me and more Hotspots next month. Same time, death of Sandra Bland in a Texas jail is but one March 15 to 24. same place. You know, in the Lesbian News in a long string of outrageous, heartbreaking magazine, under Hotspots. Yup, that’s where examples of police brutality against black Ladies, this is the perfect Hotspots to go to you’ll find me! See ya! women. America is waking up, but most of the with your friends and/or your girl to watch some TOP Browner! Queerer! Louder! Prouder!

Written and performed by Monica Palacios

B!Q!L!P! skewers the Trump administration’s regime of racism, homophobia, misogyny, and hate with the verbal force of Palacios’ wit, wisdom . . . and some mighty maracas.

Monica Palacios has advanced Latinx queer feminist comedy, theater and spoken word for 30 years in her many plays and solo performances. As a founding director of VIVA, a Latinx queer arts collective, she promoted and empowered many emerging LGBT artists. Her record of creativity and community engagement led the Los Angeles City Council to declare Oct 12, 2012 Monica Palacios Day.

Wednesday, March 28 at 8:00pm

Choi Auditorium Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles 90041

This event is FREE and open to the public

For information, contact: Prof. Raúl Villa [email protected] | 323-259-2695

Poetry

ANATOMY OF A TRAIN WRECK By Morag Hillsinger

One day your laugh was too loud We gossiped about you. Your eyes too bright “If you see something, say something.” And you kept hugging me. To Whom? I pulled from your wet embrace and sent you text messages later. Helpless What’s wrong with you? I fear you will end up under a bridge. Or be like the time you scratched Time went by. “True Love Never Dies” on her windshield. Others noticed as well. Capable of Repetition/Yet evading review. . . Was it medication? Why must we wait until you find The lack thereof? a gun? And on it went till the police were called. But you seemed fine standing at the door. For a minute.

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Femastrology

MARCH 2018 By Astrologer and Psychic, Victoria Bearden

wo Full Moons again! March imagination run wild if you are not sure of the that will shine light on your “non-worldly” needs. begins with a Full moon at 11 facts. If you need to do something really logical Go to a meditation or prayer group. An art exhibit degrees Virgo, 3/1/18, at 4:51 around this time, check things very carefully. or live music may fit the bill. Take a day simply pm PST. The Pisces Sun aligns Things may not be what they seem. wander and go on a mini-walkabout. Sign up with the Neptune opposite for a creative class or workshop. Seek out all the Virgo Moon, bringing in a The Sun in Pisces asks us these questions: things healing and restorative for both mind and powerful creative and healing energy. This is What do you really believe in? How can you body. truly the place where “soul meets body.” Spend pay it forward, and give back to your family, Ttime during the Full Moon to soak up this strong friends, and community? What is your vision for Jupiter, the planet of expansion, goes spiritual elixir through yoga, meditation, prayer, 2018, and what steps will you take to realize retrograde on 3/8/18, in the sign of Scorpio. It body work, or ritual. Artists and intuitive types this dream? Are you open to more Love and won’t go direct again until July. Jupiter is always will love this vibe, as it is a direct doorway to Romance in your life? What old patterns are good juju, even when it’s retrograde, but it can higher inspiration. Your dreams and impressions you willing to release in anticipation of Spring? slow things down a little. But hey, sometimes are likely to be strong these first few days of Pisces is the last of the 12 zodiac signs, and slow is good! Scorpio helps us to uncover deep the month. Pay attention to signs and symbols represents endings, and new beginnings. It is truth, and this retrograde cycle may bring in new that jump out at you. The only drawback to the the sum total of all karmic lessons; the alpha information about things you’ve been unclear “Neptune Factor” is the tendency to space out. and the omega. It’s time to tune in to your deep about. This is a good time to do research and Make sure you stay grounded. Don’t let your inner wisdom. Seek out events and experiences detective work. There’s a New Moon at 26 degrees Pisces on Here is the Mercury Retrograde Timeline: least we’re heading out of the woods! St. Patrick’s Day, 3/17/18. This represents yet another chance to access healing, compassion, 1. March 8-17: The First Mercury Retro 5. April 14, 2018: Mercury Direct at 4° Aries. and creativity. New Moons favor quiet and “Shadow” began to creep in late July, Hallelujah! Remember, it takes a little while reflective activities. It’s a good time to create foreshadowing things to come. This is sort of to catch up with itself, so pace yourself. The some affirmations and intentions. like Mercury Retrograde “light” but definitely energy will be potent and a little unpredictable noticeable if you are watching. Tie up loose today. Mercury will turn Retrograde at 16° Aries ends and get things in order. on Wednesday, 3/22/18 at 5:19 pm PST. 6. April 19-May 1: The Second Mercury We will begin to feel “under the influence” as 2. March 18-28: The First Mercury Retrograde Retrograde Shadow. This is a milder form of early as 3/8/18. It’s time for extra patience and “Storm.” This is when things really start slipping the energy, so not to worry too much. Time to thoroughness in all important matters. Check sideways, leading up to and including the actual play catch up and fix and nagging issues that and double check appointments, plans and day Mercury “stations” and beings the retrograde might still need resolution. travel itineraries. Back up data and get make motion. Since it’s Aries, new ventures may sure vehicles are working properly. Avoid require multiple attempts. Impatience will cost There’s a second Full Moon at 10 degrees signing contracts or making major purchases. you, so slow down! Aries on 3/31/18. This one is intense, with Don’t buy anything you can’t take back and Mercury Retrograde in the mix, and a frustrating save those receipts! Elective surgeries will 3. March 22, 2018: Mercury Retrograde 16° T-square to Mars and Saturn in Capricorn. be best delayed later in April. Communication Aries: If you know your astrology chart, take a We will all need to learn some lessons about will be far more of a challenge than usual, so look to see what house Mercury will transit. It patience and humility. Tensions in relationships don’t assume anything and watch what you will give you hints about what to troubleshoot. may flare, so be very conscious about what you say. Since it’s Aries, people may tend to take This would be a good day to stick to a normal, want to say. This is a touchy one, so take the offense more easily, so try to be the calming low key routine. high road whenever possible. influence. Many important lessons from the past will come to light, and people from the past will 4. April 11-18: The Second Mercury Opportunity Days: surface. Mercury Retrograde can actually help Retrograde “Storm.” This is when things get March 2, 5, 6, 14, 16, 19, and 27 us solve past problems and release unwanted wacky and chaotic again, leading up to and attachments! See, it is good for something! including the day Mercury goes direct. But at Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) Gather your energy and take some time to tune in to your personal Embrace healing and restore balance to your life. You will accomplish needs. It’s time to restore your balance and prepare for many new more if you feel good. Time to get your body, mind, and spirit into starts that will arrive next month. Finish things you’ve started before you alignment. Seek resolution with health issues. Get your daily routine to venture forth with brand new projects. Pay attention to your instincts and make sense. Bring some order to your chaos. It’s time to focus and hone intuitions. Your inner knowing will be spot on, if you listen now. If there in on projects that need to be completed. Make commitments to things are health concerns you’ve been avoiding, get them taken care of. Keep that support and nurture you. Mantra: Equilibrium your calm, as Mercury Retrograde will be in your sign, and may tend to make you a little hotheaded. Mantra: Mindfulness Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Watery planets align and activate your passion and creativity. This Taurus (April 20-May 20) is a time of inspiration. You might be uncommonly lucky, so roll This is a fortunate time to reach out to friends and colleagues. the dice if you need an opportunity. Problems can be resolved. Single People will want to help, so don’t be afraid to ask. You will benefit Scorpios could find someone special. There will be things to celebrate. from social gatherings, so don’t be a hermit. Pisces energy helps nurture Mantra: Joy and support your body, mind, and spirit. Your ideas will be well received, so let people know about your visions and plans. Mantra: Synergy Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Get everything in order in your personal world. Your should be Gemini (May 21-June 20) a place of peace and refuge. Put energy into harmonizing your living If you can decide what you are aiming for you will have success this space. Address concerns about family. Deal with any issues regarding month. The problem is, you may be trying to do too many things. real estate or property. And find your inner calm. Mantra: Sanctuary Focus, focus, focus! Be clear with yourself, and be straightforward with others. Let people know what you really want. Of course, this means Capricorn (December 22-January 19) you have to know what it is you would like to accomplish. This is a great This is an active time. Your ideas will be well received by others. time for business. Geminis seeking employment could get lucky. Mantra: You will learn a lot from research and studies. Communication will Motivation flow and important messages will arrive. Make sure you aren’t trying to do too much at once. Focus your energy. Mantra: Learning Cancer (June 21-July 21) Learn, teach, and share. You are getting a sense of the bigger picture Aquarius (January 20-February 18) of your life now. Many things are coming together. Focus on things, Get your material world in order. Attend to all financial matters. and people, that are in alignment with your true values. Long distance This could be a fortunate time, if you are focused on specific travel is favorable. Legal matters can be resolved. Great connections goals. Increase in income is possible. Spend time/money on things that with new people can be fostered. This should be a fortunate period, so represent security and lasting value. Make commitments to your future. take calculated risks. Mantra: Vision Mantra: Investment in the Future

Leo (July 23-August 22) Pisces (February 19-March 20) This is a cycle of completion. Tie up loose ends, and resolve Happy Birthday Pisces! This is an inspiring time. You are starting conflicts. Address relationship concerns. Resolve issues at work to get the bigger picture of your life into focus. Your insight and and with business partners. Purge and release things that aren’t working intuition are working well. But remember your boundaries! You’ll tend to for you anymore. This includes grudges. It’s time to clear up your energy want to take on the worlds problems, and maybe you can. But make sure and strengthen your position. De-stress. Your intuition will be strong, so you know when to say no. Take some time to do something that heals follow your hunches. Mantra: Letting Go and nourishes your body, mind, and spirit. You will get a lot out of any creative or spiritual endeavors now. Mantra: Believe Virgo (August 23-September 22) Business and personal relationships take center stage this month. Single Virgos could attract a partner. It’s time to collaborate and work in tandem with others. This is a super time for job interviews and business proposals. Others will tend to cooperate with you now, so ask for what you want and need. You’ll probably get it. Mantra: Teamwork

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Lesbians On Location

She Rocks Awards Photos By Dian Katz

Melissa Etheridge and wife Linda Wallen

Female rockstars on stage at the She Rocks Awards Members of the 1st All Girl Band Fanny

Exene Cervenka Shirley Manson Lead Singer of Garage of the Band X

Founder of She Rocks Awards Laura Whitman Co Host Fab Reyna Kat Corbett Melissa Founder and Editor of KROQ FM Etheridge of Shreds Media

Members of The B-52s Band Cindy Wilson and Katie Pierson Lesbians On Location

Vacation

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LESBIAN NEWS Gift Guide

Toys for Women by

Wine by

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Sunlight Trio $42.99 Frozen Feathers $39.99 Sinuous Serpents $57.99 The Company: Novica.com is an online Fair I have a special fascination for marcasite jewelry. Trade marketplace filled with handmade and I think it has its own unique value because the handcrafted artisan products that range from stones allow me to create and design thousands jewelry and apparel to home décor. Every of patterns. It is truly a must for the jewelry Novica product is a Gift That Gives Back. lover, especially when it is designed delicately and neatly, featuring the small black glitter of Since 1999, we have sent over 50 million dollars marcasite all over. It really looks great on one’s to artisans in: the Andes, Bali & Java, Brazil, body. Central American, India, Mexico, Thailand and West Africa. I am learning to combine the two. I have worked with Novica for over four years. Today I am able to take care of my parents and It has changed my life – I can share my designs myself and to provide an income for the artisans around the world. I never dreamed when I began that work with me. to work with Novica that so much opportunity would come to me. To share my work with the The Artisan - Narinee: I am Narinee a jewelry readers of The Lesbian News is a dream come artisan from Chiang Mai, Thailand. I love to see true. a woman wearing my jewelry – especially my earrings. Did you know that in Asia earrings I do not consider myself a businesswoman – I symbolize strength and some people regard am an artist and I am learning to combine the earrings as fetishes that tell of their individual two. Today I am able to take care of my parents personalities and identities? and myself and to provide an income for the artisans that work with me. Rose Masterpol Gallery Rose Masterpol Gallery

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, , 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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