LESBIAN NEWS VOL. 43 ∙ NO. 11 ∙ June 2018
KIERSEY CLEMONS BRINGING QUEER CHARACTERS TO LIFE
SARAH PALM SPRINGS WESSENDORF INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2018 MICHAELA IVRI MENDELSOHN INDIGO GIRLS NAMED LA PRIDE BREAKING NEW 2018 GRAND GROUND MARSHAL 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 June 2018
LESBIAN NEWS CONTENTS
COVER STORY KIERSEY CLEMONS: BRINGING QUEER CHARACTERS TO LIFE An interview with undeniably talented queer actress and musician on the rise By Jim Dobson
INSIDE LN FEATURE HOTSPOTS HOT HOT HOT SPOTS SARAH WESENDORF: FINDING A POETRY BALANCE IN DIFFERENT ROLES THE STATE OF THINGS Life as an actress in a changing, yet still constant, world By Sue Moore FEMASTROLOGY JUNE 2018
LOL 1950‘S TELEVISION AND GOLDEN CROWN LITERARY MORALITY CLAUSES ORGNIZATION What might they mean for today? NATIONAL TRANS EQUALITY By Vanda NOW AWARDS HARVEY MILK AWARD INDIGO GIRLS: BREAKING NEW GROUND GRAMMY-winning duo live recording with University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra By Regina Joskow
MICHAELA IVRI MENDELSOHN: Follow Us Online! LA PRIDE 2018 GRAND MARSHAL Acclaimed transgender activist, public speaker, and LESBIANNEWS.COM restaurateur awarded CSW’s top honor. By Mona Elyafi
BACK LOT BASH CELEBRATES Let us know 15-YEAR MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY what you think. Chicago’s most rockin’ and most attended outdoor women’s party By Michel Khordoc
MIDDLEBAR DINNER PARLOUR AND BRUNCHERIE Visionary mixology with infused fermented spirits plus farm-to-table dining By Kim Miyade
Travel THE SUMMER SUN SHINES ON SCANDINAVIA The sun only takes short midnight naps in northern Europe. By Barbara Horngren LIFESTYLES
MoviesEyeC PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2018 Six LGBTQA Shortfest films for your watch list By John Esther
Notes From Nat KACY HILL AND CALUM SCOTT Being in the right place at the right time pays off for two creative crooners By Nat Burns
Book Review BEFORE I DO: A LEGAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE, GAY & OTHERWISE A broader cultural shift to marriage equality By Elizabeth Schwartz
SING FOR THE DEAD: A NEW MYSTERY FROM AWARD- WINNING AUTHOR CYNTHIA DREW Indie finalist’s new book has readers longing for a sequel By Cynthia Drew
Spirituality THE RIGHT ACTION By Dina Evan, PhD COLUMNS Words that Make Sense WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN? Computers are stealing our kids. By Toni Hart
Queerly Questioning SHAMEFUL PRIDE IN OHIO How can an LGBT organization named after the Stonewall riots want to prosecute black queer and trans activist youth? By Rheana Juno Parrenas
Positive Reflections TALK TO ME Having trouble with negative social media posts? By Dian Katz, MS
Dyke Musing JONI’S MIRROR By Sue Moore
KIERSEY CLEMONS: BRINGING QUEER CHARACTERS TO LIFE An interview with undeniably talented queer actress and musician on the rise By Jim Dobson
s under-the-radar movies college in California—is Kiersey Clemons, who go, the drama comedy headlines the role of the queer teenage daughter Kiersey Clemons: It’s the story of a father and Hearts Beat Loud is as good Sam. (In the movie, Clemons’ character gets daughter the summer before she leaves to go as it gets. The film, based involved with another girl, Rose, played by to college. And in the midst of her father having from a screenplay by Brett Sasha Lane.) a mid-life crisis, they both form a band trying to Haley and Marc Basch and find a way to meet in the middle. directed by Brett Haley, stars Nick Offerman, While Clemons—who is out and proud—has had Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson, Sasha Lane, several TV and movies under her belt, this isn’t LN: What first attracted you to star in the film? ABlythe Danner, and Toni Collette. the first time that she’s played a queer character. In the Netflix comedy-drama anthology series KC: I was really excited about the cast and to This movie premiered at the Sundance Film Easy (2016), she played Chase, a grad student work opposite Nick Offerman, and getting to Festival and is scheduled to be released on who falls in love with a vegan activist woman. play lovers with Sasha Lane, and just getting to June 8, 2018, by Gunpowder & Sky. It’s currently In Dope (2015), she played Cassandra “Diggy” learn from everyone. And also the music part of garnering good reviews with critics. Andrews, a tomboyish lesbian. the film and getting to work with director Brett Haley. He makes movies that fill that certain But what makes this movie special—about Here’s Lesbian News’ interview with Clemons: vulnerable space in our hearts that we don’t get a widower and aging Brooklyn hipster father to see often in the movies. (Offerman) who starts a band with his teenage Lesbian News: Tell me what Hearts Beat Loud daughter just before she leaves home to attend is about? LN: How did you approach the character personally? bring elements from your personal life that’s because in the real world it’s opposite. There is not offensive or oversteps boundaries is really also the sexualisation of two females together KC: I feel like my character Sam is a lot more special and we both had that. that we are trying to get rid of. I’m really happy guarded that I am in a different way. Her that I’m part of the community just generally relationship with her father is a lot different than LN: And this isn’t the first time you played a gay speaking and there is this sub community under my relationship with my dad. We get along and character. with women of color who are queer that reach are so much more alike. I tried to imagine what out to me and tell me they want to see more it would be like to be in denial of how much you KC: In the movie Dope was my first time and stories like this. I see the scripts and I see what are like your father and she doesn’t know how then the Netflix show Easy. It’s funny I was just is happening in Hollywood and there definitely much she is like her mom. I have been fortunate telling someone else how interesting it was to needs to be more on screen. enough to have my mom my whole life and Sam grow up and be a young woman and figuring didn’t. yourself out on camera and in your personal life LN: Are you noticing more women of color at the same time. It sounds a lot more vulnerable coming up to you more after seeing your work? LN: Director Brett Haley told me that when he I think than it is. It’s just really self-reflective cast you in the role he had no idea that you and it feels cool to watch yourself and it helps KC: Oh yeah. We see each other from a mile were already an out queer actress. How did that you understand yourself. It’s been a blessing away and it’s really comforting. conversation go? for me. I don’t think a lot of people will have that opportunity that I have. LN: Tell us about the music elements of the film. KC: Well it was funny because at the time my What was your personal take on the music? partner was working in Singapore and I related LN: Tell me tell me what kind of feedback you’re to how it feels to leave someone that I love, my receiving from the LGBTQ fans. KC: In my real life I have only done musical girlfriend. Oh my God. theatre and talent shows when I was younger. KC: I think there is a lot of acceptance in the Now that I am older I find music to be a very And so it was fun to be able to go back to queer community of seeing guys in relationships therapeutic thing and I am always playing music that experience filming. When you have that on screen and are more comfortable with that in my house and I am always writing music. I think relationship with a director and he’s able to than they are seeing lesbians, which is funny I am a little like my character in that way where our music is something that is really comforting and detached from everything else in our life. I don’t know if I will ever pursue a professional music career though. That’s another thing in common with the character is that we both don’t know if we want to do that. It could still happen and I’m open to it though.
LN: Tell me about working with your “father” played by Nick Offerman. It’s rare in a film to never have the subject come up that he has a queer daughter and it’s not an issue.
KC: I think we often see the conflict of someone coming out to their parents on screen, which is really important and relatable to a lot of people. But the underlying issue with that is that that is the only thing that we see, we think that is the only thing that exists… and a lot of times it’s not. People can have coming out stories that don’t involve being exiled from your family. My experience with my family was peaceful and surprising and exciting. And so it’s nice to not even see that part of the story and see the aftermath of the relationship that you can have with your parents. If you flip the point of view, the relationship you can have with your kid, and how your kid’s sexuality shouldn’t have anything to do with how you interact with them. That’s bizarre.
LN: Was that storyline always in the script or something developed after?
KC: That was all in the script. I didn’t want to discuss it at all because I feel like it’s always being discussed. And as important as that is, I wanted to put out a movie where we don’t have to necessarily do that. If I have the opportunity to not make that what we’re putting the light on why can’t we just talk about the love of it? That’s cheesy. (laughs)
LN: Tell me about working with your co-star Sasha Lane. Did you know her prior to working together?
KC: I knew Sasha and she texted me about the role before I even got the script because she was already attached. I knew that I wanted to work with Sasha because she’s a good friend of mine. I love her and she has great taste. And I was excited to play opposite her.
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SARAH WESENDORF: FINDING A BALANCE IN DIFFERENT ROLES Life as an actress in a changing, yet still constant, world By Sue Moore
or German-born actress Sarah on a Berlin play called Hecate House, which Wessendorf, who is currently She explained that she felt that she had “both deals with overcoming of past trauma, the living in Berlin and Los Angeles, male and female inside of me and it did not malleability of sexual definitions, and the she finds it hard being assigned a feel right to decide for one. And why should I?” creation of a new identity. simple role. “Sexuality for me is something to express and “I consider myself as someone who loves to Sarah related that she’s currently starting experiment with. I see souls, not gender,” she play with the subject of sexual identity,” she a non-defined/ non-binary Buddhist group added. said. Fin Berlin because the organization she was involved in previously wanted its members to This view guides Sarah’s life and work, Living in Berlin reinforces this view for her. decide whether they wanted to go to male or especially as an actress. For example, she is She noted how in Berlin—“a city that is usually female Buddhist meetings. currently working with an American director seen as very progressive when it comes to non-binary subjects,” she said—one can be what do they think about your philosophy and being an only child so I had my greatest challenged in how you express your choice of lifestyle? influences from movies! I would watch The sexuality and your freedom in expressing it. Rocky Horror Picture Show too often to Sarah Wessendorf: I am an only child and am count. This sense of being your own authentic She pointed out that in a movie that she’s very close with my parents. We always talked self and freeing yourself from societies’ starring in with a German director talks about about everything. When I started to also have standards and ideas really shaped me. how Berlin has changed over the years, and something with women, I saw it as a privilege how the party scene has become “classified.” and I did not let them see it as anything else. LN: When did you develop your philosophy? For example, she said that there are now “male gay” parties, unlike before when “it Granted my parents are quite open minded SW: My philosophy developed over time. Every was more one happy family, if you will, where and I think they grew to understand that they moment of self-reflection, every country I lived everyone had fun with each other.” never would have to be fearful of who I am and in and every person I met aided to that. But I what I am expressing. They know that I work in think mostly it developed after I was wrongly That’s why she believes in expressing “my different ways than most people around them. I diagnosed with a disease. It was quite intense thoughts about this through myself being an actually think that they are somewhat proud of and threw me out of my “normal life”. That actress, slipping into different roles, different that. really made a difference. characters, and different genders.” LN: Who were (and are) your mentors, role I quit everything that didn’t feel 100% myself. “In a way we are all playing roles everyday models and greatest influences? I adopted a “no nonsense policy.” Anything which shows us that we are more flexible in that didn’t feel authentic to me wasn’t worth our ways than we often think and allow,” she SW: I remember growing up on stage, and my time. Now, I don’t have time anymore for added. more or less in a theatre. My teacher Claudia people who want to label me or put me inside was a constant mentor to me there. She taught a box. I have compassion, but no patience for Here’s Lesbian News’ interview with this me that different is good and that I need to that. While being an actress is a privilege, I actress: listen to my inner voice. allowed myself that. I had some rough times along the way and I won’t allow anyone else Lesbian News: Do you have family? And Otherwise, I very much grew up quite isolated, doubt my decisions. This wrong diagnosis also led to spiritual realizations, if you will. I wanted to understand why we get sick mentally and physically. This search led me to understand how we are all one energy field. How my reaction to someone else is in its core a reaction I give myself. How in the end everything is neutral. Beautifully neutral.
I smile when people try to label me, especially when it comes to my sexuality. They say, “Okay, I get it. You are bisexual then.” But then again, I don’t consider myself as a male or female. I don’t consider myself as anything. I find it limiting, you know? Why would I want to limit myself from any experience I could have?
I am an actress. I love to play different roles and characters. That doesn’t stop in my life. But I know it is important to first understand that our essence-- our being-- goes beyond any character we play. We are immortal divine energy. That comes first. The rest is play. That is what I believe to be true.
LN: How do people know what Sarah they are dealing with? Clothing or behaviour?
SW: That is a good question (laughing). I think people know despite any clothing. The people that I truly connect with can see me in my eyes. They can feel my energy. Clothes don’t matter, hair doesn’t matter. The people that are at the same level of understanding don’t care about those things.
That is, by the way, the easiest way of understanding if someone is with you or not in a relationship. If someone gets confused by me shaving my hair or dressing differently, then we probably aren’t meant to be.
LN: What is the relationship between gender and sexuality? In general, or your case?
SW: To me, it is all a beautiful play. I think our society makes everything so complicated. I remember being with someone in LA who considered themselves male but loved to wear dresses, be female, etc. I loved that. Sometimes I was the man, sometimes he was. And vice versa. And then it all kind of blurs away and you are just two souls interacting with each other. other hand, based on my first-hand experience German and American attitudes toward gender of being the one who needs to explain, it can and sexuality? This is my experience. I practice a Buddhism be very tiring and very exhausting. Because in Berlin called Nichiren Buddhism. It’s a you are basically trying to make everyone feel SW: To be honest with you, I think having beautiful tool for me to realize more of my super comfortable. That’s what gets so tiring: spent my time in LA and Berlin is a very higher consciousness. But then I got asked this need for everybody to not feel challenged privileged approach to living out my being. I whether I wanted to host a female Buddhist in their convictions. have lived in Pennsylvania for a year and that event at my place and later on, if I would want experience was definitely different. to be the chair of the female Buddhist group. LN: What brought you to Berlin? But I’d like to think that it really depends on What first felt a bit uncomfortable became a SW: The knowing that I had to live in a place the individual. I don’t think you can necessarily feeling of not being authentic. It was strange that allows me freedom. Berlin does that divide that between countries. Some people to me that I never had to think more about for you. But also in Berlin, you have to face just have a more open approach and are less gender than in a Buddhist organization. Of all yourself. You have to grow and have the city judgmental than others. You can find both the places! So they told me that I could go to a grow alongside with you. Berlin doesn’t free sorts of people in every country you live in. male Buddhist group. But also that felt strange. you up by yourself. Self-development is work It didn’t feel right. So I started the first “non- no matter where. I have an American grandmother in defined, non-binary Buddhist group.” Pennsylvania who is very Christian, but when LN: Where do you live in LA? I was alone in her care, she just said: “You I think it is one thing to understand that know I truly believe in everybody being happy. someone is lesbian or gay. That seems to be SW: In LA, I would mostly spend my time in I think that no matter what makes you smile, pretty much understood in society now. But Los Feliz, Silverlake and Echo Park. I had a this is what you should be doing”. I got her it’s another thing when someone who looks bike there, so I would be the one you would message and it meant the world to me. female doesn’t identify as that. I think this is see shooting by in a red vintage Bianchi. still where people tend to get very confused. That’s me—wave next time! On the one hand, I think it can be good to get people confused and get them to think. On the LN: Do you think there is a difference between TOP
1950‘S TELEVISION AND MORALITY CLAUSES What might they mean for today? By Vanda
hen we hear the popular silent-screen comedian, was wrongfully Although television had been invented before the phrase “morality accused of the murder-rape of a starlet. Fans war, it wasn’t until after the war that it became clause,” we boycotted his film and Paramount lost a great an important part of American life. The post war generally think of deal of money. Universal Studios was the first to generation was tired. The men were home from post war Hollywood, include such a clause in their talents’ contracts. the war, the women had given up their war work blacklisting and It allowed them to fire anyone who was found to and were returning to the home. William Levitt the Hollywood Ten. Movie studios put these be engaged in “immoral” behavior. and Sons began building family-sized homes clauses in contracts to have some financial for these veterans, creating the first suburban Wcontrol over the moral behavior of their creative With the McCarthy Era of the 1950s, morality neighborhoods; other builders using Levitt’s personnel such as actors and directors. The clauses became even more prevalent. Their mass production techniques followed. Thanks purpose of the morality clause was to control purpose was not only to control certain behaviors, to the most generous GI Bill ever offered, this off- screen behavior so that the studio did not but also to control certain beliefs. At the time was the first time average middle- class people incur financial losses in the event that an actor the government and Hollywood were attempting could afford their own home. It even came with did something off-camera to cause fans to reject to rid the country of Communists. Communism a free television set. And after the life these his or her films. Although the morality clause was associated with a great many ideas that veterans had already lived—remember these was quite active during what has been termed could get you blacklisted such as civil rights and folks also had gone through the depression— the McCarthy Era of the 1950s it was not new. homosexuality. In the days of McCarthyism if they wanted the promised contentment that a you were a homosexual, you were automatically home and a television offered. The first morality clause was included in a considered to be of weak moral character. contract in 1921 after Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle, For the television industry the timing was perfect. All the sponsors and networks needed to do was smiling at me. “It’s been a while. Hasn’t it? please their audience by delivering programming “Everyone signs that.” that would not upset them. Entertainment had to The maitre’d helped her to remove her coat and be clean and uncontroversial. After all, TV was guided her into her chair. He bent close to her “They can look into my personal life, Al.” going right into the heart of these all-American ear and whispered, “I enjoyed your last show so homes; the kids and Grandma were watching very much.” “It doesn’t mean they think you’re, you know .... in their living rooms. This was a pleasant They don’t know about that. They’re looking for relaxing, white world where no people of color “Thank you, Sidney.” He bowed and left us. communists.” or homosexuals existed. “You look very good, Al. I don’t believe I’ve ever “Only communists? I know you’re not that naïve. Homosexuals were bad and certainly anyone seen you in red before.” I’m not so used to boldly lying, signature and practicing that vice could not be clean. all.” Homosexuals who acted in TV, and there were “I clash with the room.” many, were not “out.” There was no concept of “You’re not lying. You’re not immoral—exactly.” “out” or “in” at the time. That attractive, smiley She laughed. “I don’t think anyone else would She smiled and took a pencil from her purse; man in the tuxedo who sang and played the ever think to say that. I’ve missed you.” She slid she licked the end and scrawled her flowing piano on one of the first TV syndicated fifteen- off her gloves, keeping my gaze the whole time. signature at the bottom of the page. “This will minute shows could not be one of those bad Could there be anything more joyful than to look get easier, won’t it?” She replaced the pencil in people. After all, housewives adored Liberace. into her eyes? But, of course, we couldn’t touch. her bag. “Lying.”
Morality clauses were extremely vague. They We began with a sparkling burgundy wine. Not would never come out and say bluntly, “you can’t having had breakfast it went straight to my Vanda is working on a series of novels about engage in homosexual activity.” “Homosexual” head, and I had visions of her and me—well, LGBT modern history beginning in 1941. was a dirty word in certain quarters. However, you know—so it was hard to concentrate on Juliana (Book 1) and Olympus Nights on the you could be fired for immoral behavior and it her funny stories of Chicago and L.A. When Square (Book 2) are available at https://www. had already been established that homosexual she reached across the table for the salt—“Oh, amazon.com/dp/B01GBEZOUE behavior was. let me,” I said. Our hands met for one lovely Paris, Adrift (Book 3)will be released in May moment, both holding the shaker; we stayed that 15, 2018. How many people were blacklisted for being way, looking into each other’s eyes, forgetting TOP a communist or for being a homosexual is the danger. Then remembering, we quickly let extremely difficult to tease out. This is a whole go, and the saltshaker fell spewing salt all over area of research that still needs examining, but the table. TV and their early morality clauses are worth looking into. They’re coming back. Sydney hurried over with a crumber. “Allow me,” he said. He’d been watching us. Eyes were This is how one author imagines how it might always watching Juliana. Probably everyone in have gone. the place had seen us drop that saltshaker.
(From Olympus Nights on the Square, Book 2 of “Thank you, Sidney,” I said as he left. We the Juliana Series) couldn’t allow ourselves to forget to be on our guard at all times. Oh jeepers! I was wearing a red dress. I’d forgotten that everything in Sardi’s is red or “Did you read this contract?” Juliana asked, maroon—the walls, the banquettes, the seats, taking us back into the real world. She slipped the menus, and the awning outside. As I worried it from her purse and laid it on the table. about how to get out of my red dress without being noticed, Juliana came through the door, “I read all your contracts.” stepping feather-light on Sardi’s maroon carpet. My heart literally leapt up. She wore a mink “Then you read the morality clause.” jacket over a black linen afternoon dress and a matching wide brimmed hat sloped over her “Oh, that.” forehead. The tuxedoed maitre’d met her at the door and led the way. She stepped toward me, “They want me to be ‘clean’ in my personal life. her dark hair bouncing around her shoulders. I can’t do anything that would embarrass their “Well,” she said, standing behind the chair, audience.”
INDIGO GIRLS: BREAKING NEW GROUND GRAMMY-winning duo live recording with University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra By Regina Joskow
t’s rare for artists with Indigo Girls’ arrangements. The orchestrations are as richly in the room that night was infectious, with both longevity to break new ground. On June cinematic as a film score, and the 64-piece the musicians and fans feeding off the same 29, 2018, the celebrated, GRAMMY- symphony wrings every ounce of passion from visceral electricity, and the crowd couldn’t help winning duo will do just that with the them, helping to bring the band’s evocative but join in for a massive sing-along on “Closer release of Indigo Girls Live with the storytelling to more vivid life than ever before. To Fine.” There’s an unmistakable sense of University of Symphony Orchestra. community and inclusion on the album, in part Spanning material from throughout the band’s because that’s a hallmark of every Indigo Girls Recorded in front of a sold-out audience in career, the 22-song set features a mix of show, but also in part because Ray and Saliers IBoulder, CO, and deftly mixed by GRAMMY- reimagined classics, unexpected deep cuts, and considered themselves pieces of the orchestra winner Trina Shoemaker (Sheryl Crow, Emmylou tracks from Indigo Girls’ latest studio album, for the performance, no more and no less Harris), the record showcases Indigo Girls at One Lost Day. “Compromise” wraps its punk important than any other artist on the stage. their finest: raw, real, and revelatory. Ray and roots around spaghetti western strings, while Saliers’ voices are both powerful and delicate the brass on “Go” flexes explosive marching “It was essential to me that everyone was on an here, their intertwined harmonies riding on the band muscle, and “The Power Of Two” nods to even playing field,” explains Ray. “I didn’t want crest of an emotional tidal wave created by the lush arrangements of legendary songwriters the audience to feel like they were just seeing Sean O’Loughlin and Stephen Barber’s dazzling like Tom Waits and Harry Nilsson. The energy Emily and me backed by a symphony. Every single musician was integral, and the whole Image from Billboard performance transcended what anyone could do by themselves.”
The seeds for this project were first planted in 2012, when Saliers and Ray began their collaboration with Barber and O’Loughlin on arrangements of their songs to perform with symphonies around the country. It was a challenging endeavor, to say the least, but the GRAMMY-winning duo managed to find that elusive sonic sweet spot with the project, creating a seamless blend of folk, rock, pop, and classical that elevated their songs to new emotional heights without sacrificing any of the emotional intimacy and honesty that have defined their music for decades. Now, after more than 50 performances with symphonies across America, the experience has finally been captured in all its grandeur on this stunning new album, Indigo Girls Live with the University of Symphony Orchestra.
“Amy and I have always tried to grow in our songwriting and work with different instruments and producers and players along the way,” reflects Saliers. “The symphony shows were an opportunity to present ourselves in a completely different incarnation, to do something totally new and big and different.”
A full track list is below:
1. Woodsong 2. Sugar Tongue 3. Able to Sing 4. Compromise 5. Virginia Woolf 6. Happy in the Sorrow Key 7. Power of Two 8. Yoke 9. Love of Our Lives 10. World Falls 11. Galileo 12. Chickenman 13. Fugitive 14. Come A Long Way 15. War Rugs 16. Mystery 17. Damo 18. Come On Home 19. Kid Fears 20. Ghost 21. Go 22. Closer To Fine TOP
MICHAELA IVRI MENDELSOHN: LA PRIDE 2018 GRAND MARSHAL Acclaimed transgender activist, public speaker, and restaurateur awarded CSW’s top honor. By Mona Elyafi
hristopher Street West Corp, one of the largest franchises for El Pollo (CSW), the 501(c) 3 Loco restaurants in the U.S. Western Region. non-profit that produces Her unwavering dedication to diversity and the annual LA Pride inclusion in the workplace recently awarded Festival and Parade, her the 2018 Face of Diversity Award at the is proud to announce National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Michaela Ivri Mendelsohn as the 2018 LA Pride Conference. Parade Grand Marshal on Sunday, June 10. CMendelsohn, CEO of Pollo West Group and Mendelsohn was appointed by Los Angeles Founder of TransCanWork, now sits among Mayor, Eric Garcetti to serve on the California a number of respected LGBTQ+ activists and Workforce Development Board, was the first community leaders who have received CSW’s transgender contestant in the Ms. Senior most prestigious honor. California Pageant, and worked extensively as a consultant with Jenji Kohan on the development “We are thrilled to have Michaela Mendelsohn – a of Laverne Cox’s character in Orange is the long-time activist and respected trans woman in New Black. business today – as this year’s LA Pride Parade Grand Marshal,” said Estevan Montemayor, Mendelsohn also stays busy speaking around CSW Board President. “Michaela has been a the country about issues facing the LGBTQ+ strong LGBTQ+ advocate, especially by working community as well as the need for increased to boost the hiring and inclusion of trans people trans awareness and visibility in the workplace – in the workplace. She embodies the spirit of our and society as a whole. She also serves as Vice #JUSTBE campaign and is the perfect person Chair for the Trevor Project, whose mission is to to lead this year’s LA Pride Parade.” stop suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. She is the first transgender woman to serve on its Board. As the founder of TransCanWork – a program promoting trans inclusivity in the workplace Said Bernard Acoca, President and CEO that both provides resources to transgender of El Pollo Loco: “On behalf of the El Pollo job seekers and trains the businesses that hire Loco family, we are proud of Michaela and them – Mendelsohn has leveraged her success her accomplishments within the LGBTQ+ and know-how as a seasoned entrepreneur to community. Diversity and inclusion are at the help the trans community succeed and thrive in core of our Company’s ethos, and Michaela has today’s ever-evolving business world. made significant strides to ensure that these values are reflected within the El Pollo Loco “LA Pride has cultivated a rich, 48-year-old system.” history as a bold and provocative voice for the LGBTQ+ community across Los Angeles Michaela Mendelsohn is available for public County,” said Mendelsohn. “I am excited, and speaking engagements and appearances. deeply honored, to be named the 2018 LA Pride Parade Grand Marshal – especially in a year For more information go to: when self-expression, female empowerment, transcanwork.org and trans inclusivity is at the very heart of this year’s #JUSTBE message. I am so proud to #JUSTBE at LA Pride this year!”
She also serves as the CEO of Pollo West TOP
BACK LOT BASH CELEBRATES 15-YEAR MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY Chicago’s most rockin’ and most attended outdoor women’s party By Michel Khordoc
ounded in 2004 by Amie Klujian spaces. and Christina Wiesmore, Back BLB: Above all else, we feel grateful and inspired. Lot Bash is the hottest, most Lesbian News: What inspired you to launch Grateful for our Chicago LGBTQ community and rockin’ and most attended outdoor Back Lot Bash 15 years ago? women across the world for attending the event women’s party taking place ALL and supporting its mission. Grateful for our long Pride Weekend in Chicago’s Back Lot Bash: Our Chicago pride weekend term sponsors and that help us produce an event Andersonville neighborhood. music and entertainment festival was inspired of this size and magnitude for our community. in 2004 by the idea of creating a unique and And appreciative and grateful to our friends, FThe event is produced and sponsored by inclusive space for women in the LGBTQ community partners, volunteers, entertainers women, for women, and stands out among other Community that was safe, allowed for self- and performers who give their all to support the Lesbian events across the nation for its unique expression and fostered a sense of connection event and make it fun and special for everyone. ability to maintain an intimate feel while drawing to community. We also wanted to spotlight We also feel inspired to continue to grow and thousands of attendees. female performers and entertainers of all genres produce events that are relevant, impactful and because they tend to be underrepresented at that showcase our community. We talked to Amie and Christina about the event mainstream events. turning 15 this year; why events like Back Lot LN: In the span of fifteen year, how has the Bash are necessary to connect our community LN: How has it felt to watch the event grow into event and its audience changed over the years? together and the importance of preserving queer what it has become today? BLB: What started as a one-day event to
Amie Croberts
showcase local female artists and community about it? energize our attendees so they stay active and organizations, has now grown into a 2 weekend involved to advance causes important to them 6-day event/festival due to the overwhelming BLB: We agree that how people gather, consume throughout the year. response from local businesses, community and communicate with other to exchange partners, charitable organizations and the LGBTQ thoughts, information and ideas has altered LN: You’ve chosen this year to raise funds for community themselves. Though all the dynamic drastically. Today, information and ideas are Chicago Women’s Health Center. Can you tell and wonderful changes, we’ve remained focused distributed quickly and reverberated through us about the Center and why it is important for on our mission of inclusiveness and providing multiple channels simultaneously. But, we you to give back? an authentic space that allows attendees to feel also know that our community values coming valued and unique as well as one that fosters together to commemorate, educate, celebrate BLB: It’s so important to us to give back. Since engagement and involvement. In the past, we and to protest and resist when necessary. So, the beginning, we’ve supported wonderful mixed and mingled with all our friends at our we feel as long as businesses can be nimble nonprofits and organizations and encourage annual Flagship and Pride Day festival and now and relevance is offered, dynamic events like them to connect with our audience. All of these we only see them at our annual Family Day Fest ours and other outlets such as bars, spaces and organizations do a tremendous amount of work with their kids! LOL! So we hope to continue publications will be valued and consumed by for the community and we feel it’s important to to provide a little something for everyone. We the end user in some fashion. Having the vision recognize and support the hard work they do. found that being open to change is a valuable and means to adapt, re-imagine and re-invent It’s not easy for them and these organizations frame of mind. It allows us to listen and adapt to is key; but, we understand, not always possible. make a difference. CWHC is a wonderful new trends in music, entertainment and, most organization - their mission statement and all important, the needs of the community. We LN: Why do you think it’s so important to create their work says it all: strive every year to make it better and better an experience like this for queer women? while keeping it organic and down to earth. “Chicago Women’s Health Center facilitates BLB: We started Back Lot Bash, because we the empowerment of women and trans people LN: We are now at a time when lesbian bars, have always felt it was important to showcase by providing access to health care and health spaces, festivals and publication are rampantly our diversity and establish a safe and inclusive education in a respectful environment where vanishing all across the US. How would you space for all. Every woman in our community is people pay what they can afford.” explain this development and what can be done special and we hope to validate that feeling and LN: What about this year’s BLB are you most working relationship with many strong artist that and lasting memories. looking forward to having attendees experience? truly believe in what we do. We are very thankful for that and what they bring to Back Lot Bash LN: What else would you like for readers to BLB: We’re excited about the extremely talented and our community. know? performers we’ve lined up for this year. We BLB: We strive to make Chicago one of the have bands, hosts and DJ’s from all over, many LN: Do you have a special memory that really best cities in the world to experience Pride of which our attendees have never seen. And of sticks out from past years--be they performers, Weekend in. Our community is so vibrant and course we are excited to offer a welcoming, safe milestones, or other defining moments? the international appeal of our event has grown and entertaining space to thousands of people BLB: We have so many amazing memories, so much over the last 5 years. We hope our who may not have this opportunity in their own however, on Friday, June 26th 2015, the start mixture of showcasing established artists and community. of Back Lot Bash weekend, it was the Supreme emerging talent from the LGBTQ community Court Ruling announcing that same-sex continues to resonant. We’ve been lucky to LN: What is new or different this year? marriage was established in all 50 states. It bring in well-known performers like Ruby Rose, BLB: Back by popular demand - we started a was a beautiful moment, day and weekend to Fortune Feimster, Chely Wright, Kate Moennig, new event last year called Whiskey, Wine and celebrate--especially during our LGBTQ Family Leisha Hailey, Taryn Manning and Gina Yashere, Women that sold-out and now we’re almost sold & Kids Day! just to name a few. At the same time, we like out again and the event is a month away. The to create opportunities for new talent to gain response has been overwhelming and now we What are your goals for BLB? What would you exposure and build their fan base! We always have so many spirit vendors throughout the like to see it be over the next few years or even welcome ideas and comments from all. Visit us nation calling us and wanting to be at the event over the next decade? at BackLotBashChicago.com for information, to in 2019, this is very exciting for us as we’re sign up for our newsletter and to inquire and already planning this event for next year. BLB: We have so many ideas and goals for Back make recommendations for us to consider! Lot Bash for the next 5 years - we will definitely LN: You always have such a great line-up of be around for our 20th anniversary and want to For more information go to: backlotbashchicago. strong women. How is that significant to you? make it the biggest celebration ever; however, com BLB: Thank you :) We our honored and very for the next few years leading up to our 20th fortunate to have established a wonderful anniversary, we will continue to add more events TOP MIDDLEBAR DINNER PARLOUR AND BRUNCHERIE Visionary mixology with infused fermented spirits plus farm-to-table dining By Kim Miyade
iddleBar, a unique fermented concoctions including the MiddleBar Dinner Parlour and Mule made with vodka infused with a potpourri Bruncherie recently of herbs and botanicals, the New Fashioned opened in trendy made with vanilla bean infused bourbonesque Inglewood, CA, was liqueur, and MiddleBar’s spiced rum which created by Corrie Scully features an especially interesting ingredient— and Renie Schoenkerman, two talented female Coffee. MiddleBar’s custom-infused fermented mixologists who are partners in both business cocktails have received five star reviews, and not Mand marriage. The couple is among the first once has anyone mentioned the lower alcohol pioneers in an emerging libations category. The by volume. MiddleBar offerings go beyond a duo has succeeded in developing an innovative standard full bar, but the key difference is the process that enhances fermented (non-distilled) emphasis on meaningful socializing rather spirits naturally by infusing a cornucopia of fresh than getting sloshed. Since expanding into the herbs, fruits and botanicals, to create deeper, restaurant arena, the conceptual cocktails are more complex flavor profiles. Fermented spirits paired with MiddleBar’s farm-to-table dining, aren’t always pleasing to the palate on their own, as well as musical entertainment, all amidst an but MiddleBar’s cocktailing craft transforms them intimate atmosphere that pays homage to its into an elegant medley of delectable flavors. southern roots. The MiddleBar mixology brand Their original claim to fame was the award- now encompasses the restaurant, performance winning MiddleBar Mary. Next, they introduced venue and bar, one with drink offerings of the an exclusive collection of Farm Fresh Mocktails, highest caliber even without hard liquor. And as well as a line of Cocktail Accoutrement. Now you won’t find this combination anywhere else!
the duo has designed a menu of wildly distinctive TOP
Travel
THE SUMMER SUN SHINES ON SCANDINAVIA The sun only takes short midnight naps in northern Europe. By Barbara Horngren
’m in the homeland of the sauna – Finland. amusement park said to have inspired Walt It’s a cavernous building crafted from rough- According to Finns, “Two places are holy, Disney, is open. While there are some exciting hewn native granite. church and sauna (sow-na).” If that’s an rides, it’s known more for its charm than its exaggeration, it’s on the side of religion: thrills. What also calls to visitors is Nyhaven Finlandia Hall, by Alvar Aalto, shows another Some 75 percent of the population (New Harbor), an area known for its shops, trend in Finnish design. The granite-and- belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran eateries with sidewalk seating, and its water marble-faced building is functional, conceived Church of Finland, although only five percent view. with regard for its purpose and for the people or so are regular churchgoers. But, while some who use it. It’s meant to host concerts and IFinns say they don’t like them, there are well Bergen, Norway’s 2nd largest city, is famous for international meetings. over two million saunas in the country, about its cultural life, which includes an indie music one for every household. And, saunas are a scene. The colorful old-harbor area is a World Both contribute to touring pleasure, but there weekly ritual. Heritage Site, and Bergen, on Norway’s west are museums to visit, nature to take in, and coast, is a gateway to the fjords. shopping to be done, too. Baskets, twig Stones are made roaring hot by birch-and-pine- All of these towns positively sparkle in the brooms, and carvings and other handicrafts, as log fires (which add aromatic effect). Water is summer sun – and the sun is up all day and well as fresh fish, fruits and vegetables all can poured on the hot stones, increasing the heat most of the night. It may take a quick nap – be found at the stalls at Market Square. And little by little; sauna-room temperatures should maybe from 11 or midnight to two a.m. or so – the stores along Helsinki’s main thoroughfare, range between 190 and 230 degrees F. Sauna then it bounces up again, as that old song says, Mannerheim Street, are a delight of Marimekko takers sit on wooden benches lightly flailing like a red rubber ball. fabrics, Arabia ceramics, and Iittala art-glass, themselves with birch branches until the heat which means souvenirs can be as “designer” as becomes too much. Then they take a cold I like to use Helsinki, Finland’s capital, as the some of the local buildings. shower (or plunge into a cold lake or a bank of jump-off place for visiting Scandinavia, partly snow). because of the jetlag-clearing aspects of saunas, Helsinki is filled with flowers at this time of year. but for some of the city’s other charms, as well. And the calendar proves that even here, in Saunas are meant to cleanse mind and body, what looks on maps as if it is the frozen north; and they do that so well they’re an excellent way Helsinki rises, it seems, straight out of the there are warmth and growing things. May in to recover from the wear and tear of sightseeing Baltic. The Lutheran Cathedral, which sits on a Finnish is Tuokokuu (Sowingmonth). August is and shopping. They are available in most hotels small hill straight back from the South Harbor, Elokuu (Harvestmonth). And, as I said, June is here, so saunas are good for treating jetlag, too. dominates the skyline. Copper domed and Summermonth, a lovely month to visit. painted white, it has a presence so commanding It’s June, and I love to be in northern Europe that at first it seems the whole city is white. In at this time of year, visiting Finland and its fact, Helsinki also is cobblestone brown-gray, Scandinavian neighbors. Here in what most the red of granite, and a warm, antique yellow people think of as the frozen north, the weather somewhere between honey and mustard. is so summerlike that the Finns call this Summermonth. The main post office and the mailboxes are that latter shade; so are the neoclassic buildings In Sweden, the month holds a major celebration near Senate Square – the university and public named Midsummer. Midsummer calls for buildings. dancing around a maypole and dining on pickled herring and boiled new potatoes with dill, sour Helsinki has a dignified beauty that owes much cream, and chives. Dessert is strawberries with to two homegrown architects whose names cream. are known far beyond Finland’s borders. Eliel Saarinen’s railway station, dating from the early In Denmark’s Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens, the 1900s, is in a style called “National Romantic.” TOP JUNE 19-25 2018
Don’t miss our annual Gay!La screenings and party! A WORLD CLASS SHOWCASE OF DAZZLING LIVE ACTION, ANIMATION, COMEDY, AND DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS FEATURING GREAT LGBTQ SHORTS. #ShortFest18
Passes, 6-packs, Opening & Closing Night tickets on sale April 1st at 9am
FOR INFORMATION VISIT PSFILMFEST.ORG OR CALL 800.898.7256 MoviesEyeC
PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL SHORTFEST 2018 Six LGBTQA Shortfest films for your watch list By John Esther t is going to get hot in Palm Springs too short to get into the details but, perhaps, KHOL this month. Already reaching triple digit with the right people getting involved, “Juck” Father died today. That does really mean a lot to temperatures, the city about 120 miles may get “jucked” into a full-length documentary Vijay (Shawn Parikh) who has been estranged east of Los Angeles will see its Palm or miniseries. for the past 10 years, when he came out to Springs International Short and Market, his parents. Upon returning to his hometown, AKA Shortfest, return June 19-25. THE SERMON he encounters his sister, Vidya (Sarayu Blue) An isolated church community in the English and his mother, Ranjan (Anna Khaji). Still angry Presenting 333 films, including 42 world countryside has decided to take matters into its about the past, Vidya is rather antagonistic Ipremieres, from over five dozen countries around own hands when they discover there is a lesbian toward his family. And he should be, but maybe the world, there will be 55 curated programs or two amongst them. Things get gruesome but the family can get past its differences. Directed screening at the Palm Springs Cultural Center you get the growing suspicion that writer-director and written by Faroukh Virani. in Palm Springs. Dean Puckett’s film is going to get a lot nastier for these theocratic tyrants, really shortly. WITH THELMA As far as LGBTQA materials go, here are a few Thanks to a volcanic eruption (I guess or examples of what the Shortfest is offering this A MYTHOLOGY OF PLEASURE silly metaphor), air traffic is blocked, leaving year. An experimental film from Spain, director Lara Thelma’s parents stranded in Chicago. As a Rodriguez Cruz’s short film mixes Egyptian result couple Jean (Jean le Peltier) and Vincent JUCK mythology, boiling liquids and a common (Vincent Lecuyer) have to take care of Thelma The title, which means “hump” or “thrust” household item for what becomes a cheeky, if not (actor’s name unavailable). They do not have (depending on who is translating), is a rather exactly convincing, call for joy (or jouissance?) much experience raising a kid, but are required simplistic title for a form of dance speaking to learn quickly. The three bond, making videos femininity to patriarchal power. Apparently WILD BEASTS for the parents, and have little quibbles over a viral sensation in 2013, directors Ulrika One day, Norway, a group of kids go around Thelma’s upbringing. Then Thelma is gone. Bandeira, Julia Gumpert, and Olivia Kastebring, doing stupid, sometimes destructive things. You Directed by Raphael Balboni and Ann Sirot. examine what the dance “represents” as they know, just for kicks. But it is clear one of the speak to the young female dance troupe who boys starts to have feelings for his best friend For more information on the Palm Springs also analyze and deconstruct their movements and that may not be reciprocated. Directed by International Short Film and Market, go to: against a phallocentric world (often in a subway Sverre Kvamme. www.psfilmfest.org/2018-shortfest/ no less). The 14-minute documentary is really 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.
Notes From Nat
KACY HILL AND CALUM SCOTT Being in the right place at the right time pays off for two creative crooners By Nat Burns
ACY HILL publications as an artist to watch. but her main interest was music. She even Kacy Hill was a model. Then attended the Arizona School for the Arts. she got a gig as Kanye West’s Like a Woman dancer on the 2013 Yeezus tour, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufjF2E_7c-U Oddly enough, my favorite song by Hill isn’t when she was spied by Italian even on this album. It’s “Shades of Blue” from artist and West collaborator, Keep Me Sane (audio) her BLOO EP. Have a watch. Vanessa Beecroft. Later, West heard her demo www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5PCrAyJ-Hg and immediately picked her up for his G.O.O.D Shades of Blue KMusic label. How’s that for being in the right It’s not a rap album, so some might find it odd that www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugd9xO9cEro place at the right time? she was chosen for West’s label. West must be able to ferret out talent, however, because her Here’s another from the new album: Filled with style and unbridled enthusiasm, album is a good listen. It’s not earth shakingly Experience the twenty-something Phoenix native released new or different, but Hill is appealing to the eye www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRBkpwlHtkA her first single “Experience” while still on the and has a certain panache. She reminds me a Yeezus tour in 2014. She then released her bit of Kiesa. Remember her? And here’s an interesting interview to watch: first full album within three years. Called Like Kiesa: Hideaway www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-dtl23hpHg a Woman, this album is laced with a dreamy www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESXgJ9-H-2U © 2018 Def Jam Records sexuality and a heavy sensual beat. Accolades www.kacyhill.com soon followed, and she was voted by several Hill first began modelling when she was sixteen CALUM SCOTT
Beautiful British crooner Calum Scott has finally released his debut album. Called Only Human, it is an amazing work of musical art. With eleven originals as well as covers, this is one album that will hold a cherished place in your collection.
An original: You Are The Reason www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShZ978fBl6Y
The cover that started it all: Dancing on My Own www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31tGyBJhRY
Born in 1988 in Kingston upon Hull, England, Scott, a human resource worker, won a local talent competition, headed a Maroon 5 tribute band, called Maroon 4, then came to national prominence as a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent in 2015. Soon after, he released his version of Robyn’s hit “Dancing on My Own” as a single, which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and became the best-selling UK song of the summer that year.
The amazing audition for Britain’s Got Talent www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSinMOs5eGw
The semi-final performance www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-r6asPdrg
You Are The Reason duet feat Leona Lewis www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByfFurjQDb0
His coming out song: If Our Love is Wrong www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQt5_SXAhDI
Scott has said he wants to inspire bravery and courage among his fans, whether they identify as LGBTQ or not.
Though many tracks on this album are beautiful ballads, others are more upbeat, such as dance track “Rhythm Inside”, while a second single “What I Miss Most” is a rocking nod to Scott’s hometown in England.
A particularly beautiful piece: Hotel Room www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_8m7PPs_3U
© 2018 Capitol Recordings www.calumscott.com
‘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 BOOK REVIEW
BEFORE I DO: A LEGAL GUIDE TO MARRIAGE, GAY & OTHERWISE A broader cultural shift to marriage equality By Elizabeth Schwartz
verything always seems rosy bisexual, or transgender from a young age and when a couple is headed to the therefore never imagined we would ever enter altar. People cannot imagine into a marriage as traditional as those we saw anything bad happening. But, all in our families or in popular culture. Some of us couples considering marriage, objected to marriage from a feminist perspective; gay and straight, need to consider others simply never conceived of marriage as a and plan for such unfortunate events. realistic option because of the unconventional ways in which we structured relationships. EEven if you are married already, educate yourself about its consequences. It is never too late for Some choose not to approach the altar at all. For loving couples to have a conversation about couples not on the same page about marriage, their future, nor is it ever too late to consult the exciting developments from the U.S. an attorney about how the marriage would be Supreme Court have been a source of tension in treated at death or divorce. Legal marriage adds their relationships. For some couples, marriage new rights and responsibilities. What rights and imbued their relationships with seriousness and obligations does marriage confer and what rights stability. Many couples report that after marrying and obligations does it not provide? My recent they feel safe enough to take new risks—quitting book Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, a job to take care of children, starting a new Gay & Otherwise will help you to answer that entrepreneurial venture, or taking some other question. life risk.
`Before I Do is for married people and also for Misinformation can be even more dangerous those thinking about formalizing a union. The than no information. consequences of marriage are universal. All couples considering marriage, gay or straight, Not long ago I consulted with a lovely woman; should be deliberate. let’s call her Frankie. Frankie married Grace, her partner of ten years. Frankie assumed that after For LGBTQ people, marriage is a new social a decade together nothing could ever go wrong and legal benefit; it has not been a part of our between them; they entered legal matrimony community’s consciousness or history. We have without the advice of a family lawyer. only had the freedom to marry for a relatively short time. Frankie is several years older than Grace and closer to retirement. Frankie’s friends told Until just a few years ago, gays and lesbians have her that she did not have to worry about her not been truly able to enter into relationships individual retirement account (IRA) because she with an eye toward “until death do us part,” not started it before the marriage: her friends said because we are unwilling or unable to commit it would remain Frankie’s property, no matter but largely because the law has not recognized what. Frankie and her friends assumed that the the potential of our relationships. It can be IRA would always be a nonmarital asset. While difficult to treat a relationship seriously when Frankie could name Grace as a beneficiary at the laws of our nation do not. death, they assured her that all of the funds would remain Frankie’s separate property in Many of us knew we were gay, lesbian, the event of divorce. As she inched closer to retirement age, Frankie began maxing out her this costly mistake or she could have knowingly laws vary by state. IRA contributions, well aware that if she died, made the decision to have her spouse share in Grace could roll that IRA into her own retirement the marital portion of the account, even if their This book highlights general issues, but I urge account. In case of Frankie’s death, Grace could relationship was terminated by divorce. you to investigate further. If your situation is at also stretch out the payments if she did not need all complex (and most things that look simple are all the money, so that those funds would not With the right information, and coming from not), please do see a competent, experienced put her into a higher tax bracket. Frankie never a very different cultural perspective, LGBT professional. In the interim, this book may be imagined an end to their relationship that was people collectively can transform the imperfect the cheapest lawyer’s time you will ever buy. not her own death. institution of marriage. Copyright © 2016 by Elizabeth Schwartz. Then, seven years into the marriage, the Maybe gay and lesbian couples will enter into relationship began to unravel. Grace filed for marriage more mindfully and continue to arrange This excerpt originally appeared in Before I Do: divorce. Grace’s savvy lawyer asserted Grace’s our relationships in a more egalitarian way. A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise, right to the appreciation in value of the retirement published by The New Press. Reprinted here account over the term of the marriage, as the As more same-sex couples marry, have children, with permission. contributions made from Grace’s income are and divide family obligations equitably without considered marital income—even if Frankie regard for the traditional gender roles, it may Elizabeth Schwartz is an attorney, activist, author was not the one who was working, earning the well become the norm for both parents to take of Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay funds, or contributing to the IRA, and the IRA family leave when having a child and to share and Otherwise (The New Press, 2016), co-chair was in Grace’s name alone. The increase in the parenting and family care obligations. of the national board of SAGE and member of IRA due to marital contributions and the market the National Center for Lesbian Rights’ National appreciation on those contributions over their Marriage equality is part of a broader cultural Family Law Advisory Council seven-year marriage was $90,000. Frankie was shift. We are only beginning to imagine how all shocked to learn she needed to pay $45,000 to of our lives might change. her soon-to-be-ex. She wished that she had sought accurate advice before she tied the Before I Do is an educational tool. It is not a knot. That could have helped to protect her from substitute for legal advice. Family and estate TOP SING FOR THE DEAD: A NEW MYSTERY FROM AWARD- WINNING AUTHOR CYNTHIA DREW Indie finalist’s new book has readers longing for a sequel By Brian Christopher
icki Jaynes, an art Foreword Reviews: appraiser and Texan “Sing for the Dead is a thrilling mystery that harks with a knack for solving back to the glory days of pulp fiction. Packed puzzles, has just with action and suspicious characters, Cynthia stumbled into her first Drew’s satisfying Sing for the Dead is a hard- life-sized, and deadly, boiled mystery with nonstop twists. The book is predicament. incredibly atmospheric, with the New Mexican setting acting almost as a character in its own MA 150-year-old bulto — a religious icon right. Filled with glitzy spas as well as seedy purportedly destroyed in the Smithsonian’s brothels, the Santa Fe area provides the perfect Great Fire in 1865 — has turned up not once backdrop for the crimes and alliances that are but three times in Sotheby’s auction results, formed and broken. The area is described with forcing Interpol and the FBI to get involved. colorful language and razor-sharp insights that Special Agent Jacques Pearce, from the FBI’s help to enhance the action. Art Crimes Unit in Washington, D.C., enlists Micki’s help to find the bulto. Art history is also explored in Sing for the Dead … This helps to set the book apart from other crime The trail leads them to Santa Fe, New Mexico, novels and provides an educational experience as the city prepares to celebrate Dio de los on nineteenth-century religious icons. Exposing Muertos, the Day of the Dead, and the two the underbelly of the art world, Sing for the Dead discover something much darker and more is a thrilling mystery that harks back to the glory sinister than they ever imagined. days of pulp fiction.”
Sing for the Dead, a new mystery from award- Excerpts from 5-Star Reviews on Amazon: winning author Cynthia Drew, follows Jacques “… Once I started Sing for the Dead … I couldn’t and Micki as they try to unravel the circumstances put it down. Drew has crafted a world familiar- surrounding the gruesome murders of three and-yet-new down in the Southwestern US and people — a prostitute, a shopkeeper and a populated it with people you should know: a former lover of Micki’s — all bludgeoned by the Romeo cop, a straying husband, an FBI agent bulto they desperately seek. who’s remarkably down to earth, and a fabulous amateur sleuth whose biggest asset is that Why is the killer using a holy relic as a weapon? she’s dyslexic. Plus, the twists and turns in the And will Micki or Jacques become the next plot threw me off kilter just when I thought I had victim? it figured out. Sing for the Dead will keep you right with it, right till the end. Hope it’s the first Author Cynthia Drew’s historical fiction and in a series!” children’s book have garnered numerous national awards. She holds a BA in Fine Art “I enjoyed the plot that incorporated characters from the New School in New York City. She has one constantly wants to learn more about. The been a practicing private investigator for nine New Mexico settings add to the mystic [sic] years and teaches writing at the University of of solving a mystery that ends where no one North Carolina-Asheville. thought it would go.”
For more information about Cynthia and her books, please visit: www.cynthiadrew.com. TOP
Spirituality
THE RIGHT ACTION By Dina Evan, PhD
There are three different kinds of responses to unconscious behavior. The least effective is to shame or criticize. The next least effective is to attempt to “should “someone into right action. The most effective is to do/be the right action yourself. A spiritual leader heals that which is unconscious inside him/herself before asking another to do the same.
TOP Words that Make Sense
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR CHILDREN? Computers are stealing our kids. By Toni Hart
hen I was a child the very popular ice cream vendors who got the many moons kids running outside with the jingle songs on ago, school their trucks. was a delightful experience. Outdoor time for us kids was the whole day We learned so unless it was raining. We had gangs - bunches many new things, met other children in our of kids who played together - not the “gangs” of neighborhood, formed attachments that lasted today. Shortly after breakfast, we would gather Wmany years, and some even until the present our friends together and go outside and make time. Although my family couldn’t afford anything up games for the day. It could be “cops and lavish, I had wonderful birthday parties. There robbers,” “bad guys and good guys,” police, were fun games with prizes, homemade cake with soldiers, sailors or whatever war games etc. If ice-cream and little favors for each child. When we were lucky, we found a big box that once I look at the photos, it brings it all back complete contained something huge and that became our with the excitement and joy I experienced. fortress, camp, office or a zillion other things. At lunchtime, our mothers usually brought out There weren’t a lot of children my age close to enough sandwiches for us AND our buddies. our house. Most of the homes were owned by There was no end to the games we could make elderly people whose children had moved away up. years before. So, if I wanted a playmate, I had to walk to her house usually several blocks away. These days, it is rare to see kids outside. Most are indoors playing with their smart phones Actually, the school I attended was a long walk and/or computers. Kids are lucky today. When too. We had only one car and that was used by I needed an answer to a question or a problem, my dad to go to work. whatever subject stumped me, I would have to go to the library and look it up. Today, all Most women stayed home unless they were kids have to do is ask the question on their nurses, schoolteachers or perhaps secretaries. phone and find out the answer to any question In those days, grocery stores were nearby, they may have…no matter how complicated it so again, we would have to walk to get our is. How wonderful is that???? To us oldies, it groceries. seems almost too good to be true!!!! With all the technology out today and more coming out in The most fun of all was when the Helmsman the future, I expect great things of our children. came by with his truck full of delicious breads, They will have the job of going to other planets, cookies and pastries. I remember that we would saving humanity and animals from extinction, hang a Card with a big “H” in the window if we preserving our trees, plants and air and well wanted the Helmsman to stop. My mom, with us as keeping the peace here and among other kids close behind, would climb in that delicious nations. I have the utmost faith in the boys and smelling truck and pick out the goodies for that girls and hope they are committed to doing a day. There were also trucks with vegetables great job here as well as in space. and fruits that would patrol the neighborhoods selling to the housewives. And I remember fondly TOP Queerly Questioning
SHAMEFUL PRIDE IN OHIO How can an LGBT organization named after the Stonewall riots want to prosecute black queer and trans activist youth? By Rheana Juno Parrenas
GBT folks in the city of Columbus that marchers walked around them as the prosecute black queer and trans activist youth? like to say that Columbus, Ohio’s police surrounded them with their bikes. Even state capital, is the gay Mecca of the though the police were trained in de-escalation, This is the question that drives efforts now in tri-state area. The punch line is that police officers began shoving and macing the Columbus to boycott SWC pride. For some the tri-state area is Ohio, Kentucky, protestors as pride contingents marched around reason that I don’t really get, the organization is and Indiana. At first blush, you the scene. One video image caught two white known as SWC: Stone Wall Columbus (instead might think that Ohio’s gay mecca would be women spectators heckling a handcuffed young of Stonewall, one word). There’s a meme that a cool blue oasis in a hot red desert of hate black woman. Some on Twitter say that moment shows SWC really stands for “Support White Land despair. As wonderful as the fantasy of an captures Stonewall Columbus pride in a single Complicity.” There is now an effort to boycott inclusive Midwestern pool party could be, the snapshot. SWC pride, to pick a pride, and instead support fantasy does not match reality. the newly black, queer, and intersectional vision Three of the Black Pride 4 were convicted of through Columbus Community Pride 2018. Columbus has more than its share of American six out of eight misdemeanors. The fourth faces Activists who organized for Black Pride 4’s problems. Its police force has killed 28 people felony charges for allegedly trying to take a defense have directed their efforts to making an in the past five years. 21 are black. The city police officer’s gun. The sentences given to inclusive, non-corporate pride that is not eager has a black population of 28%, but the city’s the three, thankfully, did not include jail time, for police surveillance. police force is only 18% black as of 2016. This but it did include hours of community service, was one of the reasons protestors stepped onto probation, and court fines. At the trial for Memories of Pride in Columbus for me hitherto the route of pride march 2017. During that pride the misdemeanors, the Chair of the Board of includes samples of Lucky Charms given out by march, on the anniversary of the acquittal of Trustees for Stonewall Columbus (SWC), which General Mills, dozens of churches of all kinds of Philando Castile’s murderer in Minnesota, a was the official organizing institution of the denominations, jingoistic rainbow and American group of black queer and trans activists stepped march, was called to the stand as a witness for flag waving, and drag queens earnestly, not onto the asphalt street and let it be known that the prosecution. ironically, selling Tupperware. A pride march black lives matter and it should not be business that centers black queer and trans liberation is as usual—including LGBT business as usual. How can an LGBT organization named after the a glass of cool water needed in the salty fight Stonewall riots against police brutality that was over Ohio’s LGBT soul! From the court testimonies, the story seems led by queer and trans people of color want to TOP Queerly Questioning Positive Reflections
TALK TO ME Having trouble with negative social media posts? By Dian Katz, MS
n today’s world, most of the population now people treat others with respect. myself too much? converses behind some sort of computer screen. Whether a desktop, tablet or But then after typing the above, I pondered Maybe it is the online place that first needs to smart phone, we are communicating in on this and had an “a-ha” moment. I realized improve before the world can be changed. In a manner that gives us more courage I am as guilty as everyone else in the “not- other words, we should all react in such a way to speak our minds. Without the “in- so-nice” department. I asked myself, Would I where communication and understanding about person” aspect of communicating, we are less have spoken in a civil manner if I heard others our differences is possible. No matter how wrong embarrassed, nervous, scared and so on to say saying something that is appalling to me? As an the subject or behavior is, or how distasteful Iwhat we really mean. Because of this, social example, if a gay hate group was posting online one or both sides are, a civil discourse could media can be a cold and uncomfortable place with friends, I am not so sure how understanding possibly change things for the better. when others respond to your posting with snarky and civil I would be. and rude remarks. Why is it so difficult for us to communicate online? Here I am trying to be a voice for greater good and Maybe the subject at hand is too painful, so we It has always baffled me when I post a heated provide a platform for better communication but are afraid to say anything at all. Or if we do say social media topic and watch people attack and also recognizing my own defects of character. something, our pain or anger gets in the way shame each other because of their differences. You see, I don’t mind revealing this because I and we blurt out something nasty. So should we Year after year, I keep thinking things will be strive to be authentic. I am constantly learning just all keep our opinions, agendas and so on, different. Maybe not different in the world at something new and will certainly admit when I to ourselves and only converse with those who large, but at least different in my tiny little space am wrong online. And here is the lesson here: feel the same as us? The answer is no. on Facebook. Nope. Not so much. It’s not only where I am wrong in this case, is expecting not different, it seems to be worsening. So few something from others that I can’t provide It’s the secretive nature of things that really starts wildfires, so discussing things is essential. Therein lies the challenge. get the discussion? Nowhere! More headaches What makes it difficult to say what you feel is than good will probably be the outcome. the holier than thou mentalities. Try talking in Or, maybe the answer lies in just allowing an adult manner to a group of people who think others to respond the way they need to. Again, It’s time for all of us to take some tips on online “your kind” is worthless. No matter what you we express ourselves at the level of growth we anger management. If something really ticks us say, they often don’t listen to you because they are at. But we aren’t saints either. off online, let’s sign off or move onto something don’t want you to change their minds. And more else for a short time. Let’s take a breather and than likely, you couldn’t if you tried. The only As I mentioned earlier about my own self, I think how we can say something in a constructive way some will engage in a decent conversation strive to be the best I can, leaving my heart and manner so it can be heard by all. If we are and be open minded IS if they truly want to learn mind open. I want to learn, grow, and listen to saying something in a poor manner, let’s ask and grow. others and be authentic. Yet I too, could easily ourselves what is driving us to do that. Because be angered by those posting who obviously hate if we are secure in what we feel and believe, we On social media, we have freedom of speech a particular group of people. can get our point across much better without for the most part. So it’s not the unbalance of being a jerk. And seriously, if we are only saying power like the olden days that keeps people from Online behavior really has to be similar to how something to those who agree with us, we are communicating. If there had been an “equal” people respond in person. In any relationship, preaching to the choir. And then it’s more about opportunity to speak and reject some of the when two people are angry, they are both ego than trying to make a statement. ideology that happened in history (i.e. slavery, encouraged to calm down before engaging the Holocaust), things could have turned out so in a conversation. Why? Because if they try Posting is a great opportunity to practice our differently. It was those in power who led the to speak when they are both in a heightened personal skills and show restraint. If we can’t way and allowed no one else to object or speak state of anger, more than likely, it will end up watch our tongues online, then chances are, we freely about it. becoming a shouting match or they will end up are poor communicators in person. So let’s take saying something each will regret. In a calm time-outs just as we do in real time. Let’s each So what can we do? Do we stop posting on state, the issue can be handled much better. So try to be more aware of those we converse with, topics that can lead to hostile comments? Or the same theory goes with online interaction. and allow them to say their piece instead of Positive Reflections do we continue to engage whether we are the When a group of individuals are busy posting shutting them down with crude or nasty remarks. one posting nasty comments or receiving them? only snide, hurtful remarks, where does that
TOP Dyke Musing
JONI’S MIRROR By Sue Moore
golden stardust before a corner turned on you
caught in the devil’s and you were gone.
rockandroll bargain You mourn yourself each morning
your diminished seventh sunrises putting on a baser simile
fade into los angeles sunset to suit your career.
the echoing of the canyons If you are harder metal now
I caught a glimpse of you all the more power to you
transmuted into bronze power to you
a glint in the surface power to your power
of a mirror to come to life again.
flattened by flattery January, 1975
TOP
HotSpots
HOT HOT HOT SPOTS What to do this summer. By Dian Katz, MS ell yeserieee Jane! LGBT Film Festival. This early June event, We made it! It’s Connecticut’s longest-running film festival, THE ONTARIO WOMNYN’S DRUM CAMP SUMMER! Oh man, holds a special place in our state’s cultural Holy wow! Digging this next Hotspot. How about summer is where I landscape, bringing the community together to a DRUM CAMP? YES! Join other women at THE need to be. I need introduce, celebrate and rediscover the ideas ONTARIO WOMNYN’S DRUM CAMP on June to be on some and values that make the LGBT community 7-10. Hang on :::: crash :::: bang:::: I’m setting remote island, sipping a cool one... I need to unique. Out Film CT also presents the EROS up my drums :::: Now, I’m packing my drums be getting ready to take a board or boat out into Film Festival each fall, and the First Thursdays and my sticks :::: calling my roadies:::: Okay, Wthe open blue… Oh I’m sorry! Was I talking out Cinema series—screenings at Cinestudio on I’m ready!!! Wooooo Hooooo!!! Oh sorry, sorry. loud like I usually do? My bad! Bad Dian!!! Time the first Thursday of each month.” says Out Film I was just getting into such a tribal mood. I will to get on with the very hot, hot, hot, summer CT. Well this sounds reeeeeel-ly cool. So head behave. Or not…
THE STATE OF THINGS By Morag Hillsinger
Fragile as dry leaves result
Our democracy, small d Those a bit further down this path
Is eroding And they are creating under
In the face of strong winds House arrest.
tweets Put down your tiny screens and
Hot air, fake news Pay. Attention.
A constant drip Follow the money.
Is pulling the rug you are standing on, Act up.
out. The people must rise up
There are those who have seen the And reject crumbs from
TOP Poetry Femastrology
JUNE 2018 By Astrologer and Psychic, Victoria Bearden
he Sun in Gemini stimulates for exchanging ideas and sharing our knowledge represent a clean slate and a chance to renew communication and with others. This is a fantastic time to take a our intentions. Gemini is strongly related to networking. The Sign of the class, teach a class, or join a social group. writing, which makes this New Moon a powerful Twins is linked to the mind, opportunity to journal or put pen to page to learning, and exchanging ideas. Uranus entered Taurus on May 15, 2018. create some potent affirmations. Remember, The concepts of trading and Did you feel it? As I mentioned in last month’s when writing down your affirmations, keep bartering are definitely in the realm of Gemini. newsletter, Uranus goes into a new sign of the it positive and in the present tense when Mercury, the God with wings on his heels, rules zodiac every 7 years. And right when it does, possible. Example: “I am attracting positive new Tthis sign, symbolizing the power of thought and there is often a “signature event,” such as an relationships into my life.” imagination. Gemini energy enhances speaking, earthquake, or other big earth change. This time, writing, research, and studying. June is always a right on schedule, the Kilauea Volcano began Summer Solstice falls on June 21, 2018. The good time to socialize. Occasionally we can get intense eruptions and activity on the big island Sun goes into water sign Cancer, and a new a little scattered under this influence, attempting of Hawaii. Interestingly enough, this volcano is seasonal cycle begins! It’s the longest day of to juggle too many activities at once. linked to another planetary event that is gearing the year, and the shortest night. Also known as up to repeat as we approach the year 2020. This Litha, Midsummer, or St. John’s Eve, Summer The Sun in Gemini asks us these questions: is when Saturn and Pluto will align in Capricorn, Solstice was traditionally celebrated in Ireland Are you developing your mind? Do you need which is a very, very big deal. It was not long by the lighting of bonfires. This custom is rooted more stimulation and new experiences? What after Saturn and Pluto’s last rendezvous in in ancient history when the Celts lit fires in new subjects would you like to learn about? January 1983, that the Kilauea volcano erupted honor of the Goddess. It is a celebration of light, Do you need to work on your communication in Hawaii. It has become the longest-lasting abundance, and the vital, life giving energy of skills? Are you open to looking at both sides of volcanic eruption, and it’s still cooking! the sun. Have your own Solstice event or join in important issues? Are you aware of how your with others to usher in this new phase. The Sun thoughts influence your experiences? With the There’s a New Moon at 22° Gemini on will be in opposition to Saturn on this Solstice, Sun in Air Sign Gemini, the door is wide open Wednesday, June 13, 2018. New Moons illuminating our collective need for commitment, responsibility, maturity, and patience. Since the retro once every two years and can be a little bit way to the table. Solstice chart tends to “predict” themes for the frustrating, particularly for new ventures. Mars quarter, the spotlight will be on those in positions rules energy, passion, action, initiative, and There’s a Full Moon at 06° Capricorn on of authority, and how they choose to wield their the way you assert yourself, so you may find Wednesday, June 27, 2018, at 9:53 PM PDT. power; an ongoing theme while Saturn and Pluto you have to dig a little more deeply to find your The Full Moon in Capricorn lines up tightly with travel through the sign of Capricorn in the years motivation under this influence. In conflict and the Sea-Goat’s ruler, serious Saturn. This combo to come. competition, they say that whoever “fires the can be pretty somber but is good for delving in first shot” during Mars retrograde with usually to ancient wisdom and deep spiritual practices. Mars, the Warrior Planet, goes Retrograde in lose. Needless to say, Mars retrograde is usually Aquarius on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, and will not a favorable time for negotiations, as people Opportunity Days: remain so until August 27, 2018. Mars goes tend to be grumpier and more frustrated on the June 7, 10, 11, 13, 23, and 26
Aries (March 21-April 19) Libra (September 23-October 22) This is a great time to learn and increase your knowledge base. This is a favorable period for expansion and growth. Your life is going Important communication will help you make informed decisions. in a new direction. You are gaining perspective. Take advantage Express your thoughts to others and use your social network to help you of any opportunities to learn, or to teach what you know. Legal matters with projects and endeavors. This is a favorable time to get out of town should improve now. Travel, for business or pleasure, is favorable. You’ll for a short getaway. Mantra: New Ideas tend to be a bit lucky, so roll the dice. Mantra: New Horizons
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Money, possessions, and your values are in the spotlight now. If This is a cycle of endings and preparation for new starts in the you are looking for employment, this is a favorable period. This is a following month. Tie up loose ends and finalize unfinished work good time to improve your financial standing. Take stock of your physical and projects. Your inner knowledge and perceptions will be quite strong, body and sign up for health enhancing activities. Enjoy what you have so pay attention to your hunches. Jupiter’s continued transit through created and share it with others. Mantra: Abundant Resources Scorpio will bring in great insight about your past, and your future. Mantra: Intuition Gemini (May 21-June 20) Express yourself! Your personal power will be noticed by others, so Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) put your best foot forward. This will be a busy time, full of important Relationships are the name of the game this month. Single communication, so pay attention. You will have a strong influence on Sagittarians could find a soul mate. Joint business ventures can those around you now, which will help you get your way. Use it wisely! prosper. Existing unions and friendships are enhanced. People will tend Mantra: Strength to be more helpful, so if you need something, ask and you will receive. If you are looking for a teacher, doctor, or therapist, you’ll probably find a Cancer (June 21-July 21) good one now! Mantra: Alliances You are learning a lot about your inner workings now. Your impressions and intuitions are strong. Follow your hunches. Your Capricorn (December 22-January 19) instincts will guide you toward that which you seek. Venus is in your Time to get into the groove of a positive routine. Pay attention to sign, enhancing love and creativity. Spend some time alone to recharge your health and nutrition. This is a good time for a new exercise your energy if you need to. Mantra: Inner Wisdom regimen. Work and projects will go much more smoothly if you get a tune-up. You might find massage or acupuncture particularly valuable Leo (July 23-August 22) now. Mantra: Healing Vibrations The energy is great for being sociable, so get out there and connect with people! Join up with friends or seek out the company of new Aquarius (January 20-February 18) ones. Like-minded people will be attracted to your energy. If you’ve been Romance and creativity are in the air. Single Aquarians could get thinking of joining a group or club, now is the time. Working with others lucky. This should be a great time for recreational activities, sports, will be both rewarding and enjoyable. Mantra: Team Spirit and new adventures. Pursue things that will allow you to express your personality in new ways. If you’ve been feeling like you need a make- Virgo (August 23-September 22) over, some new clothes and a cool haircut might do the trick. Mantra: Professional endeavors are looking good. Community activities can Enjoyment be rewarding, so get involved. If you need employment, this is a good time to put in applications or go to interviews. You can gain much Pisces (February 19-March 20) insight about your own destiny now, so seek out new knowledge to help Put your energy towards enhancing your home and surroundings. you grow and expand your horizons. Mantra: Success Pay attention to your personal life and your inner needs for comfort and security. Do some Feng Shui in your home to get the energy flowing.
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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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