1 DR. MAYA ANGELOU INDIGO GIRLS CARIBBEAN EQUALITY & LEADERSHIP CRUISE FEBRUARY 1-8, 2014 FORT LAUDERDALE • GRAND TURK • SAN JUAN • ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN • HALF MOON CAY • FORT LAUDERDALE
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Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com DINAH WEEKEND April 3-6, 2014
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3 January 2014 Features
9 Out in the World By Heather Cassell 10 Edie Windsor CON By Gladi Adams, PhD 16 Theorhetorically Speaking By Nikki McCauley TENTS 28 Lori Michaels By Marsha Naify 32 Living Out Inside LN By Sally Sheklow 33 Transgender By Chris Angel Murphy 12 SPORTS 13 COMIC OF THE MONTH 37 Alcoholism, The Thinking Disease 17 BOOKS By G-O Digillio 26 LOLs 30 QUEERLY QUESTIONING 40 Positive Reflections By Dian Katz, MS 31 MOVIES EYE C 31 MUSIC 42 Words That Make Sense 34 HOT SPOTS By Toni Hart 36 THE WEEKENDER 36 TRAVEL Lifestyles 37 POETRY 41 FEMASTROLOGY 42 LIFE COACH’S CORNER 8 Politically Speaking By Donna Wade
14 Mimi Fox By Sweet Baby J’ai 18 Tokyo Super Star Awards By Beth Brooke 20 HERstyle By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown 33 Humanity Here By Karen Williams 38 Mary Lambert By Michele Khordoc
22-25 Cover Story Cover Photo Credits: Marc Cartwright Lorri Jean: CEO Of The World’s Largest, Most Successful Gay And Lesbian Center. By Gladi Adams, PhD
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com 5 LESBIAN NEWS
Publisher, Editor in Chief Ella Matthes • Executive Editors Zoe Edgerton and Gladi Adams, PhD • Arts & Culture Editor Terry DeCrescenzo • Entertainment Editor Dian Katz • Film Editor John Esther • International Editor Heather Cassell • Music Editor WHY DO WE LOVE LIKE ADULTS Nat Burns • Newsbytes . . .BUT FIGHT LIKE CHILDREN Gillian Kelly
Sports Editor Anne Winchester • Travel Editor Barbara Horngren • Mark B.Gallo, Jr., MA Columnists and Contributors: Gigi Acevedo, Victoria Bearden, Heather Cassell, Toni Hart, MFT Registered Intern 61657 Morag Hillsinger, Lillian Jensen, Dian Katz, Michele Khordoc, Kelly Lynch, Nikki McCauley, Carl Matthes, Chris Angel Murrphy, Kristi Pallino, Juno Parrenas, PhD, Sally Sheklow, INDIVIDUAL THERAPY & COUPLES COUNSELING Amanda Vallo, Donna Wade • BEVERLY HILLS & SILVERLAKE OFFICES Executive Vice President Stacy Cantrell • 323 977 8444 • WestHollywoodTherapist.com Creative Director Karen Jones Supervised and employed by Lorraine Rose, PhD, PSY 12803 & Jeffrey Nord, MA, MFT 46775 • Circulation and Distribution (310) 548-9888 • Board Members Gladi Adams, PhD, Sherri Davison, Carl Matthes, Lee Werbel • LESBIAN NEWS P.O. Box 55 Torrance, CA 90507 www.LesbianNews.com • For Advertising or Print Subscriptions, contact: (310) 548-9888 (800) 458-9888 or [email protected] [email protected] online at LesbianNews.com • National Advertising Representative Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863 • Editorial: Administration: (310) 548-9888 Fax: (310) 548-9588 LN Editor E-mail: [email protected]
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Copyright © Lesbian News, 2013. Magazine and/or its contents may not be sold or reproduced in any form whatsoever without the expressed legal consent of the copyright owner. The Lesbian News logo and “Lesbians on Location” are registered trademarks of Lesbian News. Jinx Beers Deborah Bergman Founder and Publisher Publisher 1975-1989 1989-1994
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7 Politically speaking Molly Ivins and Fighting “The Good Fight”
| By Donna Wade
“You got to have fun while you’re fightin’ for freedom, ‘cause you don’t delight, Minneapolis PD named their pig mascot after her. For a brief always win.” time in the 80s, she wrote for the New York Times, which was attempting Molly Ivins, 8/30/44 - 1/31/07 to broaden its appeal, but she didn’t last long. From the outset, she pushed the envelope, but went too far when she referred to a chicken festival as Last year is history and this one’s a clean slate, so whatever shall we do a “gang pluck.” with it? 2014 brings mid-term elections in November, and mid-terms have historically low turnout. The Tea Party ascended through the 2010 mid- olly lived modestly, despite having come from money. An terms. We can send them packin’ in 2014. imposing figure (over 6 feet tall and stocky) with a shock of wild Mred hair and a hearty laugh, she could seem larger than life, but I’m talking about a focused effort to join the wave of citizen advocates and according to her many friends, she was unpretentious and surrounded hell-raisers we’ll need to unrig the 1%’s game and force our dysfunctional herself with people of conscience, passion and humor. When she became government to actually govern for the common good. Anyone in elective a best-selling author, she gave away all the proceeds from her book to office who plays lapdog to lobbyists with wads of crisp Benjamins and an causes she supported. agenda should be targeted in their next election, even if some of them are sacred cows. Some of her more outrageous opinions inspired the Dallas Times Herald to run billboards with “Molly Ivins can’t say that, can she?” to increase After the government shutdown fiasco costing the country $24-26 readership. Her columns and books about George W. Bush (Shrub & billion, polls found that the public overwhelmingly blamed congressional Bushwhacked) made her a national personality. Before long, her syndicated Republicans. Seats that had been previously deemed unwinnable suddenly column appeared in over 400 newspapers, exhorting her readers to take moved into play. A recent study indicated that if the election were held to the streets, “bang those pots,” until Congress pays attention, whether then, Democrats would take back the House majority and increase it in the it’s stopping military misadventures or standing up for marriage equality. Senate. We have to make that happen, because there’s so much at stake. The lives of the planet and future generations depend on it. Outside of Jim Hightower and Bill Moyers, you don’t find Molly’s brand of populism represented in much of the corporate media, because few Put simply, we have to get the science-averse, warmongering, financial today are so plainspoken and fearless: “I don’t care what anyone smoked titan ass-kissing, corporation subsidizing, climate change denying grumpy 20 years ago, I approve of those who boogie til they puke, and I don’t old white guys out of Congress and replace them with as many smart, care who anyone in politics is screwing in private, as long as they’re talented, liberal women as we can find. Women who will protect the not screwing the public.” (The Texas Observer, 5/19/06). My new environment and our food supply, reign in the national security dragnet favorite site, Juanita Jean’s, the World’s Most Dangerous Beauty Salon and not only protect Social Security, but expand benefits. Those who will (Juanitajean.com), comes damn close to reflecting Molly’s progressive end Wall Street casino capitalism and stand with working families against politics mixed with equally-sharp, humor-laced outrage. corporate plunderers. On her battle with breast cancer, she penned “Who Needs Breasts, This time of year, I really miss my favorite of all political columnists, Anyway?” for Time magazine in 2002 and opened with: “Having breast Molly Ivins, who died after a long fight with breast cancer January 31, cancer is massive amounts of no fun. First they mutilate you; then they 2007. If you’ve never read her work, you owe yourself a Google search. poison you; then they burn you. I have been on blind dates better than that.” Mary Tyler (“Molly”) Ivins was born in Monterrey, CA, to wealthy oil and gas executive and his wife and raised in Houston, TX. Though raised Molly never lost faith in America’s promise nor her people. In The Fun’s in wealth, Molly rejected the debutante dreams of her social peers. She in the Fight (Mother Jones 1993) Molly notes an often-ignored truth: attended Smith College and the Columbia University Graduate School “Those who think of freedom in this country as one long, broad path of Journalism, for that was her calling. And she became one of the best. leading ever onward and upward are dead damned wrong. Many a time freedom has been rolled back--and always for the same sorry reason: fear. Molly tackled big issues with home-spun common sense, mixed with So one thing I have learned from (civil libertarian) Johnny Faulk, Texas, a passion for underdogs and the US Constitution. Armed with a finely- and life is that since you don’t always win, you got to learn to enjoy just tuned bullshit detector and a rapier wit, she skewered the powerful and fightin’ the good fight.” laid bare their hypocrisy. Her observations could incite belly laughs while simultaneously inspiring you to get involved when something needed I encourage everyone to pick an issue (or more) that ignites your passion fixin’. and jump into the “good fight.” Make new friends and have some fun along the way to keep sane. Like Molly said, “Even when you can’t kick Of the many awards she received, one of her most treasured came from the bad guys where it hurts, you can still have a real gas trying.” her days in Minnesota, where she got her start as a reporter, the first By Nat Burns woman to cover the police beat for the Minneapolis Tribune. To her [email protected]
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com OUT IN THE WORLD LGBTs Mourn Mandela
| By Heather Cassell
GBT human rights leaders mourned the death of former African President F.W. de Klerk, who released him from force was also established to investigate hate crimes against South African President Nelson Mandela, calling the prison in1990. LGBT community members in the country. LNobel Peace Prize recipient a true global leader. Rainbow leader That doesn’t mean that all is perfect in the country. Mandela, 95, died December 5 at his home in South Africa. He had grown frail and suffered from recurring California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, former In 2010, Cameron, told the Guardian that he believed his lung problems many believe began during his 27 years as a mayor of San Francisco who launched California’s battle for appointment was a “remarkable achievement,” but he agreed political prisoner on Robben Island during the apartheid era. same-sex marriage in 2004, said the “the world lost a great with LGBT activists that South Africa’s constitutional Mandela held a special place in the hearts and minds of man and moral leader.” aspiration for freedom from discrimination wasn’t reached LGBT rights activists for many reasons, chief among them yet. was his work in drafting South Africa’s new constitution that “Like Moses before him, Nelson Mandela led his country included protections against discrimination based on sexual out of the chains of oppression and ushered in a new era of “But like with gender and racial discrimination, we haven’t orientation. humanity for all of South Africa,” said Newsom. fulfilled the constitutional promise of non-discrimination,” he told the newspaper. “There’s still widespread ignorance Jessica Stern, executive director of the International Gay and Mandela’s record on LGBT rights was strong, in spite of and homophobia toward gay and lesbian people.” Lesbian Human Rights Commission, called Mandela’s life rarely speaking about LGBT people and fighting for HIV/ and legacy “incomparable gifts to the world.” AIDS rights late in South Africa’s epidemic. In 2005, IACHR creates LGBT Rapporteurship Mandela lost his son to AIDS. During his presidency he Julie Dorf, senior adviser for the Council for Global Equality fought to decriminalize homosexuality and provide legal For the first time ever in the Americas, the Inter-American and a former executive director of IGLHRC, agreed, protections of LGBT individuals all the way up to enshrining Commission on Human Rights announced a new emailing the Bay Area Reporter from Germany. rights in South Africa’s constitution. rapporteurship dedicated to protecting LGBT people in the Americas. “There isn’t a greater symbol of equality for anyone involved Mandela wrote in his book Long Walk to Freedom , “For to in social change than Nelson Mandela,” she wrote. be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in The position was created November 8 but wasn’t publicly a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” announced until November 25 in a news release from the Dorf recalled meeting Mandela at the 10th anniversary of He appointed the country’s first openly gay, HIV-positive organization that acts like the U.N. for the Americas. the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, judge, Edwin Cameron. where he was honored with the Freedom Award in the early The rapporteurship will commence February 1. 2000s. “Without Nelson Mandela’s great-hearted commitment to humanity and justice, sexual orientation equality would In addition, last month IACHR launched a survey to explore “He just had an amazing power to inspire,” wrote Dorf. never have found its way into the South African constitution violence against LGBT individuals in the Americas. in 1994,” wrote Cameron in an email to the B.A.R. “He was not only fully inclusive in his vision for South The new rapporteurship was created in response to the Africa but more than anything he inspires us to be fiercely “Mr. Mandela’s commitment to gay and lesbian dignity goes “troubling information on many forms of violence and ambitious in our vision, while steadfast and forgiving in our back many decades. In 1962, when the apartheid security discrimination faced by persons in the Americas, because approach,” added Dorf. “I encourage our movement to learn police arrested him, he was posing under cover as a driver to of their perceived or actual sexual orientations, gender from the legacy of Mandela’s life, as we fight for our own a white man, Cecil Williams. Williams was a gay man and identities, and/or gender expressions or that their bodies better future.” widely known in the ANC [African National Congress] to differ from what is considered female or male,” according be so. His closeness to Mr. Mandela is obvious.” to the release. Carolyn Wysinger, a Hayward LGBT activist and author of Knockturnal Emissions: Thoughts on #race #sexuality Cameron recalled the uncertainty that sexual orientation The rapporteur, who hasn’t been announced by officials, will #gender #community , agreed. would survive the debates to ratify South Africa’s Bill of be responsible for reporting on discrimination, murders and Rights but it did with Mandela’s strong support after a ruling progress on LGBT rights as a part of the continued work of “We don’t really have activists like Nelson Mandela was in by the Constitutional Court. In a single action as president the LGBTI unit, which launched nearly two years ago. our community anymore. We have plenty of activism, but he he became the first head of state in the world to meet with was truly an extraordinary being,” said Wysinger. South African LGBT community leaders. In recent years, IACHR officials have tracked and reported on discrimination and murders of individuals based on “Learn from him. Don’t just honor him just because you “Very soon after taking office, he met with gay and lesbian their sexual orientation and gender identity in the Americas think that he should be honored but really learn about who groups at the Union Buildings. He did so years before regularly. he was and take the meaning of the lessons that you can and LGBTI groups were officially received by other heads of put them into practice,” said Wysinger, who credits Mandela state,” Cameron said. [email protected] for teaching her how to bring humility, love and passion to her work. In 2006, South Africa became the first African nation and the fifth in the world to legally recognize same-sex Mandela served as South Africa’s president from 1994 to marriage. As recently as 2011 South Africa introduced a 1999. He was the nation’s first elected black president. In resolution supporting LGBT human rights to the United 1993, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with former South Nation’s Human Rights Council, which was passed. A task 9 Edie Windsor Our Champion By Gladi Adams, PhD
hen Edie’s partner Thea died in 2009, what happened next got her into the battle of her life whereas she took on the U.S. Supreme Court. When it was over, she had become the heroine of the LGBT Wcommunity winning the right to marry a person of the same sex in a landmark decision by the court. In 2010 Edie sued the government for a $363,053 refund of estate taxes she had to pay when her spouse died.
Even though the couple had been legally married in Canada in 2007, they did not qualify for any federal protections because of DOMA which excluded gay married couples from 1,100 federal provisions given to straight married couples.
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com The couple first met in 1963 and by 1967, Thea had proposed to Edie In 2009 Thea died quietly at home in their apartment. Edie suffered a giving her a diamond brooch in the shape of a circle which she gave her in heart attack and was hospitalized. Then she was served with a $363,053 lieu of an engagement ring because that would have been too risky. Even estate tax bill on the property Thea had left to her. though Edie was gregarious by nature, she couldn’t confide her story to her friends. Being gay was not an acceptable thing in those days so she When she filed for a refund from the IRS, she was denied because of kept her secret to herself and a few very close and trusted friends. DOMA. This action made her furious so she decided to fight. When gay- rights organizations turned her down thinking she was too affluent to serve as the face of this important case, Edie connected with Roberta Kaplan (a lesbian and corporate litigator at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison) who had argued in favor of gay marriage before New York’s highest court. In their 2010 lawsuit, Edie and Kaplan argued that DOMA violated the constitutional right to equal protection. Momentum was with them because in 2011 the majority of Americans supported legalizing
For most of her life, Edie had lived a double life being extremely cautious about who knew she was gay. However, she and Thea enjoyed a wonderfully happy life together. They traveled extensively in Italy, France, Holland and Africa. Many of their summers were spent in Southampton where they socialized and lived like any other upwardly mobile professional couple. Edie worked for IBM and Thea had a very successful practice as a psychologist. Thea was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977 but continued to work. Edie retired from her position at IBM. In the years that followed, the couple was gay marriage. In 2012 the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Edie’s favor.
active in groups like the East End Gay Organization on Long Island and yearly on Memorial Day weekend, they would host a party.
In 2007, Thea had been given a bad prognosis relating to her heart condition. This would eventually kill her. This news prompted the couple to fly to Canada to get married. It was a very difficult trip for Thea because her MS had made her a quadriplegic. The rest of this story is history or herstory. Upon returning to New York, the couple published their wedding announcement in the New York Times and many people who learned she was gay called to congratulate her.
11 Sports What Happened to 2013?
| By Anne Winchester
t’s the time of year when I think of resolutions and doing things in this year that I didn’t with the PAC-12 television coverage, but I certainly haven’t seen it happening. Men’s do in the last. Thinking of places I want to visit in my travels. Seeing friends that I haven’t basketball and football are the moneymakers, so they are what get the airtime. We have to Ibeen in touch with for years. Learning to play Pickle Ball. Losing the 15 pounds I didn’t let PAC-12 TV know we want to watch women’s sports and keep the pressure on. lose in last year, and now I may have to lose more than 15 pounds because of what I ate the last two weeks of the year! Did I do enough to help save the planet – recycle enough, 5. I will check out ESPN-W (the “W” is for Women). buy an eco friendly car, and help save the penguins in the Galapagos? Was I a friend when Yes, I did. I use ESPN-W to research and catch up on what is trending in women’s sports. someone needed me? Did I show up to show my support for my favorite team? Hey, did I In fact I just discovered the dismal showing for the Pac-12 women’s basketball players. show up for my team? Ugh. Arielle Roberson from Colorado is listed as 5th choice as Small Forward and Chiney Ogwumike from Stanford is listed as 4th position as a Power Forward. Join me to make a All of this musing reminds me that I made a whole bunch of New Year’s Resolutions last New Year’s Resolution to do something about West Coast Basketball! year! What happened to those resolutions? Did I fulfill any of them? 6.I will support my conference even if my favorite team isn’t on top. Well, here they are: Well, I tried. When you are a supporter of the Washington State Cougars, it is really hard, but we Cougars have a saying: “There’s always next year.”. We always hang in there. 1. I will write my local newspaper to ask for more 7. I will look to role models in women’s sports. coverage of my favorite Absolutely. I have been excited to see the series that Robin Roberts has produced, titled teams. Nine for Title IX. I have seen two of the films, one about Pat Summitt and the one about Yes, I did. I was credentialed Sheryl Swoopes. The other titles feature the famous 1999 soccer match with China and how for the Dinah Short Kraft the USA won; how women sports reporters gained access to interview men in the locker Nabisco Golf Tournament room following a game; “Branded” explores the rise of tennis player Anna Kournikova as and I was there for 2 full days the media sweetheart and the issue of women as sex objects rather than being revered for following golf and writing their achievements: the Williams sisters and their fight for equal pay on the European tennis about it. While there I talked courts. Look for the other films to support this valiant series and to learn details about great to our favorite golf reporter, women in sports. Larry Bohannan, about the lack of coverage of women’s 8. I will honor the women who have given so much to women’s sports. sports. He covers the Yes! The recent milestone that Tara VanDerveer earned was outstanding. Winning her 900th LPGA extensively and is an game places her with four other outstanding women’s basketball coaches – Pat Summitt, excellent example of putting C. Vivian Stringer, Jody Conradt, and Sylvia Hatchell. Here’s your homework. At what women’s golf on a par with collegiate institutions did each of these women coach? the men’s game. I have also been making a list of women I will support women who support women. reporters so when I have an issue, I can shoot off questions and concerns. This is simple. Do I need to remind you what Billie Jean King has done for tennis, for issues related to Title IX and for homophobia in women’s sports. I repeat, join her foundation: 2. I will attend more sporting events. www.womenssportsfoundation.org. Well, okay, I didn’t accomplish much in this arena. I didn’t get to Staples Center to watch the Sparks play. With Candace Parker and Nneka Ogwumike playing, it was an exciting I will faithfully follow these resolutions throughout this next year and look forward to year with all sorts of possible outcomes. The Sparks coach is a woman (unlike many of the checking back and seeing how well I did at the end of 2014. other WNBA teams), and I know Carol Ross is going to bring a championship team to LA. I am sure this is her New Year’s resolution. Congrats on her new contract. Well, there you have it. I definitely have checked each resolution and hopefully, I have shared some thoughts about where women’s sports is to date. We have a long way to go. 3. I will invite friends over to watch my favorite games. Yes, I won this category. We always have a crew over to watch women’s basketball and my Get up, get out, get to the gym, and get to the game. Support women’s sports. new sport-of-choice… women’s soccer. Love those women - Amy Wambach, Alex Morgan, Christie Rampone, Heather O’Reilly and Hope Solo. Now if I just understood why the game Happy New Year. isn’t over when it should be over? [email protected] 4. I will go online to find out what is happening to our teams in the PAC-12. I definitely keep track of my favorite teams and frequently check out how they are doing. However, what I am really watching is the number of women’s games compared to men’s being shown on the PAC-12 TV. There was great hoopla about women getting more airtime
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com Comic Of The Month Amy Tee
| By Lynda Montgomery
LN: Who is Amy Tee? AT: We were married Jan 20, MLK Day. We wanted to celebrate civil rights plus honor all the black men Candice dated before me. Plus it was a Monday, so it was cheaper. I live in AT: By 6 am, I am up; hit Massachusetts and love being married, this is my third one! Gay marriage has been legal for the gym then at my day job so long, I’ve had time to be married & divorced twice to the same woman. After a few martinis, as a breakfast specialist. My we’d fall in love again That was a clue I needed to quit drinking. That, and my friends were mom has been a waitress driving my car more than I was. for 40+ years. I have been cooking for over 25 years LN: Those are good friends, What about your perfect day and what are you doing when at my own and my family’s you’re not getting married? diners. I am self taught and enjoy creating brilliance with AT: Candice gives me her debit card & I go straight (pun intended) to Home Depot. I look for otherwise traditional bacon projects on Pinterest. I see a project and become obsessed until it’s finished, I simply had to & eggs. However, it is like have a floor covered in pennies! Now I do! It’s 5’x5’, all heads up brand new shiny 2012 ground hog day, the same pennies at the bottom of our stairs. people, eating the same food & bitching about the same LN: LOVE IT, FINALLY A PURPOSE FOR PENNIES, ANY OTHER PASSIONS? topics and/or New England weather. And those things, I AT: I started ECT, Experimental Comedy Therapy. It’s no coincidence it’s the acronym for find, are the TRUE definition Electro Convulsive Therapy or “shock therapy”. I believe humor is vital to all humans well of insanity! I am convinced being, With ECT we bring people together in a safe sober environment filled with laughter working with my relatives & and hope. A percentage of our proceeds go towards many mental health organizations, to help the public for so long is what open minds, and change behaviors through education about mental illness and substance abuse gave me mental illness. When (known as Dual Diagnosis). I was diagnosed as bipolar 4 years ago, I was relieved, LN: Good for you Amy Tee, any other goals to tell us about? FINALLY!!...PHEW! All this time I thought I was the AT: I want to continue to accomplish and add to my bucket list. Of course, I’ll be performing asshole. and speaking. Keep up with my schedule info at www.experimentalcomedy.com
LN: I just came from a family reunion, so I get it. Let’s hope they don’t read the LN. When did you switch from cooking to comedy?
AT: I’m an excellent chef but it felt more like an obligation than a passion, I always felt the whisper in my soul for doing comedy, I was voted class clown in High School. My dear friend Esther had given me a pep talk to go for it, before she passed away, so I did, and crossed it off my bucket list. I got hooked right away, now 10 years later I’m a ’COMEDY, VETERAN, VOLUNTEER’. I perform at fundraisers, and have been sober for 4 years; Comedy is now my drug of choice. It’s a fix, while I give back.
LN: Nice, how about your personal life; can you squeeze in a relationship?
AT: My dog BILLY is the love of my life; I’m convinced I’m a human black pug. My roommate, well now you’d call her my wife , we live together, don’t have sex and I’m not allowed to have sex with other people. She’s a psyche nurse. She thinks Billy and I have an inappropriate relationship. I think she’s jealous because he calls her “Otha Mom” She’s perfect for me; it’s like I have a live- in homecare without the co-pay. But trust me, the deductible is a bitch!
LN: Wow, I’d love to have a talking pug! Did you marry your psyche nurse?
13 MIMI FOX The Woman Internationally With The renowned guitarist/ composer/recording Platinum artist Mimi Fox will be featured at the Palm Fingers Springs Women’s Jazz By Sweet Baby J’ai Festival on April 4th 2014
MF: Hold the press! Did I hear somebody say contemporary jazz, Latin jazz and blues! I do play other instruments; drums and bass, winner of six consecutive Downbeat but I am a composer as well as a guitarist and so The reviews of last year’s festival were so magazine international critics’ polls? the guitar is my instrument of choice-‐-‐my voice, dynamic that some of you thought it couldn’t get Consecutive? Who is this woman? I made to express myself artistically. I still have a drum any better. Well, I’ve got news for you-‐-‐the 2014 it my business to @ind out. kit and use it to work out grooves/feels when I festival will knock your socks off! Hold the press The Women With The Platinum Fingers, am working on a new composition. I have had To date, I have not had the pleasure of divas and daddios! This year we will be joined by guitarist, Mimi Fox! many drummers say that my playing style has performing with Mimi Fox, which is amazing unusual rhythmic twists that they enjoy. I think considering we travel in some of the same circles. developed this rhythmic skill/con@idence from Jazz musicians, particularly women, tend to cross playing SBJ: drums. each other’s paths at one point or another, if not What better way of @inding out who Mimi Fox is than by asking her directly? So, that’s just what I on stage, either in the green room or the airport. What was it about the guitar that drew you did. I am sure that once you read about her, listen When I spoke with Mimi last year about playing in? For instance, the bass has a very distinct to her music and watch her magic @ingers up with the Women In Jazz All-‐Stars for the Palm musical voice as well, just look at bassists/ close and in person, you’ll fall in love with her Springs Women’s Jazz Festival, I was thrilled that composers, Charles Mingus, Marcus Miller and just SBJ: as I did. she could do it. Mimi has performed and/or Oscar Pettiford, they talk up a storm on those recorded with some of jazz's most prestigious MF: Who is Mimi Fox? four or @ive strings. When did you discover players, including guitarists Charlie Byrd, Stanley could speak through the guitar and how did you Jordan, saxophonists Branford Marsalis, I am a guitarist who has devoted my life to @ind MF: your voice? David Sanchez and Houston Person, vocalists the study of this majestic instrument. I started Abbey Lincoln, Diana Krall, Kevin Mahogany and playing when I was 10 years old, and I knew from I loved music so much and I had a natural Janis Siegel (Manhattan Transfer), B3 organ the moment I @irst touched a guitar that this was af@inity for it. I could watch someone play masters Joey DeFrancesco, Barbara Denerlein what I was meant to do. something on guitar, bass or drums and then play and Dr. Lonnie Smith, and powerhouse drummer it back immediately. I love bass and drums Terri Lyne Carrington. So needless to say, after “Many times I have had to endure sexist, vulgar jokes, our April date in Palm Springs I’ll be listed in disparaging comments about me and/or fellow female artists, great company! and fend off unwanted advances.” Coincident with the Kraft Nabisco Women's Golf Championship in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs will once again host Dinah Shore Women's Week. SBJ: It's been billed as one of the largest gatherings of The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz I mean "really" who are you? Yes, we do because they are the heartbeat of the music, lesbians in the world. And this year, with the Festival, want to know what you do, but we also want to rhythm section. With guitar I am able to play addition of know how you got to be Mimi. Were you one of bass lines and can approximate all kinds of cool the Dinah Week crowds are expected to those kids who stayed in and practiced after drum rhythms, so for me the guitar is a grow even larger! Over 40 national and school when all the other kids were in the street composite SBJ: of my three favorite instruments. international celebrated female jazz musicians playing MF: stickball? will showcase their talent in Palm Springs on So that would explain those platinum April 3-‐6, 2014. Residents throughout the desert I loved all sports and I did play stickball! The @ingers! Not to mention I heard your @ingers and visitors from all over the world will gather to minute I started playing guitar I stopped move at lightening speed. Are they insured like celebrate the musical history and the everything else. I would come home from school, Tina MF: Turner and should Shirley MacLaine's legs were? contribution that women have played in jazz. do my homework then play until supper, and play The Festival’s mission is to showcase Southern I suppose they be insured, but I think after supper until I fell asleep. My older brother SBJ: California's vast female jazz talent alongside and sister would laugh at me because I slept with I looked into it once and the cost was prohibitive! national and international artists in order to my guitar. I loved it more than anything in the Who were your musical in@luences growing SBJ: encourage and educate audiences on a wide world. up and who are they now? What was the range of musical experiences. It emphasizes the evolution of Mimi Fox? great stylistic and thematic diversity of women Why the guitar and not the piano or another by featuring straight-‐ahead jazz, smooth jazz, instrument?
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com SBJ:
jazz world, self-‐esteem is a critical factor. If you Cats, hikes, bikes, lots of hugs and snuggles don't believe in yourself, it is hard to have the and an occasional “Alien” movie when you have courage to get on stage and give your all. And, in time-‐-‐nice picture. Thank you for sharing and the highly competitive environment of the jazz giving us the opportunity to get to know you. world where you have to constantly prove yourself to gain respect, this can be a very high Mimi was born in Queens, New York. She is the bar SBJ: for many women. youngest child of a middle class, Jewish family. Her father Eli was a writer and It’s great that young female musicians today publicist and had a huge collection of jazz have role models like you to set the stage for albums. Her mother Anne was a singer/ them. Instrumentalists like trumpeter Tiny Davis songwriter who loved all the great jazz vocalists and @lautist Bobbi Humphrey paved the way for as well as classical and chamber music. Mimi you. Do you think things have changed much picked up the guitar when she was just 10 years since MF: they laid the groundwork? old and never let it go. It’s easy to see why this child prodigy would gravitate to jazz; she was Yes, and no. In my travels throughout the born to it! world, I have met more and more wonderful women musicians on every instrument. This is very exciting! However, women still face enormous hurdles in terms of being recognized, getting prestigious offers, and getting respect from their peers. Most great women musicians must contend with a world that is still uneasy with powerful women. I am heartened to see all the wonderful young women players, but disheartened to hear that the world at large is no MF: more welcoming to young women than it was for My early in@luences were the songwriters my peers and me. Change takes a long time. I such as Lennon/McCartney, Paul Simon, Joni always tell young women that it's vital that they Mitchell, and Stevie Wonder. When I started @ind the people, both women and men who will getting serious about jazz, I was deeply support them and their music. If someone disses SBJ: in@luenced my John Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Wes you, lose 'em as fast as you can! You can catch Mimi Fox on Friday, April 4th, 2014 Montgomery, SBJ: Thelonius Monk, and Art Blakey. at The 2nd Annual Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Tell me about it! Can you share one of those Festival -‐ Dinah Weekend with the Women in Jazz MF: Yes, I can hear those inspirations in your hurdles you have had to overcome? All-‐Stars at the Indian Canyon Golf Resort, 1097 playing. They all share the juxtaposition of cool When I was 19, a good guitarist whom I E. Murray Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92262. and all with the same passionate approach to admired came to a show and said to me: “You play (760) 833-‐8704 Showtime 7:00 PM their music. Okay, I think we’re starting to get it-‐-‐ okay rhythm Mimi, but you shouldn’t try and Smooth Jazz Superstars, trumpeter The Festival features an amazing lineup of talent, a little more insight into what makes you Mimi. solo-‐-‐girls don’t have the balls to do this well”. Cindy Bradley and Saxophonist Pamela Williams, including You’ve played women’s music festivals before; That is one of the most @lagrant examples of the Living Blues Legend, vocalist Lady GG, Grammy MF: how do they differ from the “standard” jazz fest? sexism I’ve encountered, but there were many nominated vocalist Perla Batalla, International Renowned violinist Karen Briggs and many more! There’s a wonderfully supportive more. Many times I have had to endure sexist, vulgar jokes, disparaging comments about me atmosphere that can be felt amongst both the and/or fellow female artists and also fend off musicians and the audience. Women support Four days of music, 10 concerts, over 40 top unwanted advances. I learned early on to channel each other and tend to work collaboratively with celebrated female musicians, a gala Brunch show, my anger and hurt into a focused discipline. The both their fellow artists and with festival the full spectrum of jazz and blues, after parties, more bad crap that was thrown at me, the harder promoters. Camaraderie develops amongst all of tributes to legendary jazz and blues divas, I practiced. I also came to realize that this was us, and it is really fun to meet other women nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, not personal, it was a systemic problem. By not players because so often I am the only women food, drinks and much more! For tickets and personalizing things, I was able to keep my focus instrumentalist on stage, and this can be more information visit and continue to brave the waters. To this day, I isolating. Sisterhood is as powerful in jazz as it is www.pswomensjazzfestival.com in other professions. remind younger women not to let the jerks keep them away from their music. “Women support each other and tend to work collaboratively with both their fellow artists and with festival promoters. Sweet Baby J’ai is a contributing writer for LN Magazine, a singer, composer, arranger, educator, Camaraderie amongst all of us...” and the Artistic Director of the Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival. A SBJ: SBJ: creative force on the music scene for over two decades, Few female instrumentalist have had as Can you paint a picture of what happiness she tours the world with her much career success and international looks MF: like to you? genre-‐defying work, which recognition as you. What do you attribute that both embraces and expands to?MF: Happiness to me is being with my wonderful jazz tradition. She has girlfriend, all my incredible friends, playing with worked in various capacities, I attribute ALL my successes to the brave great musicians, touching people through my including talent buyer for major music events women who went before me. Women from the music, and working for a more just and humane throughout the country. She also serves as civil rights movement, the women’s movement world. I am also a sci-‐@i junkie and I love cats. Creative Managing Director for the Educational and many women before them as well. From love dogs too (and all animals), but I have a Theatre Institute. J’ai brings a new perspective to Harriet Tubman to Gloria Steinem, these women special af@inity for cats. I suppose being on the programming choices featuring some of the remind me that the struggles I have faced can be road so much it would be very hard to have a dog world’s most visible, high level jazz artists. By put into context and that I must never lose sight and leave them behind. Cats are much lower bringing together a carefully crafted, eclectic of my dreams no matter what obstacles I maintenance in this regard. I also love the selection of exceptional performers, her Women encounter-‐-‐and I have encountered many both outdoors and enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, etc. in Jazz All-‐Stars always produce memorable and internal and external. For many girls and young My other hobbies are crossword puzzles and unexpected surprises! women who are trying to make their way in the scrabble.
15 Theorhetically Speaking Being the Season!
| By Nikki McCauley
t is the holiday season! A time for love and laughter, a time season we go to church more often and gather and read about for joy and bliss, a time when we pause from our schedules how many more days until the jackpot; we stay up late wrapping I and serve the less fortunate. When we talk to the poor, the gifts for that few moments of thanksgiving in the morning. homeless, the desolate and notice the broken in spirit. A time when we open our hearts, our eyes and hands almost by spell; What if we reversed the plot? Wouldn’t it be more beautiful if and suddenly, we become more human than beings. for forty eight weeks if we were more human than just beings? Wouldn’t we change the world if we cared and gave all year We sign up and serve, we donate clothes, we drop all forms of round! Volunteered and kept our hearts, eyes, and hands open currency in the cans of those volunteering and make pledges wide as a husband first sees his bride? Wouldn’t the spirit of to tell-a-thons; we bake for our co-workers, and attend holiday love and generosity expand exponentially if it didn’t cease on parties as though we are all a loving family. It is the season December 26th? from Thanksgiving to Christmas that we magically morph into a better version of ourselves! Perhaps, if we were gift givers year round life would be more precious to each of us? No more black Friday- where stores Through the power of visual stimulation, costumes and song - anticipate causalities and all state and governmental authorities we emerge - It is during the harvest that we allocate four of our are okay with it? fifty-two weeks to being the bright lights amongst the drifting stars; and as we channel a love so right- we are seen off in the What if Xboxes and Playstation’s were in plenty for the demand distance as was Rudolph whose nose was so bright! Suddenly, we and delivered to our homes because we are too busy out find purpose. Suddenly, we discover the talent that we believe empowering and caring for people; and our children are planting the people we love and strangers alike would totally enjoy and gardens instead of burying friends- whether the cause of death benefit. Suddenly, we are free to be who we are and do what we are bullets or environmental and nutritional toxicity or drug truly love and desire but are too afraid to pursue the other forty overdoses, there are too many causalities, too many suicides, eight weeks of the year. too much disconnect between we- all the branches of the same tree of life. For truly a plane with any of us not function fully is It is during this period we find the courage to buy the engagement weakened. So, let’s keep the music playing, let’s keep our eyes, ring, to feed the hungry, to talk about something other than what’s hearts and hands open and let’s be the seasons greeting! going on at the job. We take children out to rescue animals from shelters and to feed the people at shelters; and to donate toys Happy New Year for tots and to donate canned goods and socks. It is during this [email protected]
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com BOOKS Dog Songs Poems | By Teresa Decrescenzo
I cancelled the trip.” John Burgoyne drew the pencil sketch illustrations throughout. They are charming and whimsical, engaging and disarming, as are the poems themselves. I can’t call any single poem a favorite. Each one lures me in a different way, speaks to different sensitivities at different times. If I am in a bit of a funk, I need only read “Luke’s Junkyard Song,” to remind myself that wherever I am, there is love: “I was born in a junkyard, Not even on a bundle of rags Or the seat of an old wrecked car But the dust below. But when my eyes opened I could crawl to the edge and see The moving grass and the trees And this I began to dream on, Though the worms were eating me. And at night through the twists of metal I could see a single star – one, not even two. Its light was such a thing of wonder, And I learned something precious That would also be good for you. Though the worms kept biting and pinching I fell in love with this star. I stared at it every night – That light so clear and far. Listen, a junkyard puppy learns quickly how to dream. Dog Songs Poems Listen, whatever you see and love – By Mary Oliver that’s where you are.” The Penguin Press There will be those who view Oliver’s imagining what her dogs would say when New York, NY she returns or when they come back from an adventure as anthropomorphizing, www.penguin.com and maybe it is. I’m pretty sure that Oliver knows, as we all do, that our dogs are not little people, or children, in fur coats, but they are a connection to the wild, “My little old dog – a heartbreak at my feet,” is an oft-repeated quote of Edith even the little pedigreed ones. They live in two worlds, growling and howling Wharton, who was known for her love of dogs, many of which she owned during while sharing our world, and we live in just this civilized world, only able to her lifetime. Wharton is widely recognized as a prolific writer of novels, nearly glimpse a wilder world by watching our dogs. one hundred published short stories, and winner of numerous awards including being the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for literature. Loving puppies is In the essay portion of “Dog Songs,” Oliver reminds us that. “…it is exceedingly one thing, but few people are likely to know that Edith Wharton did more than just short, his galloping life. Dogs die so soon. I have my stories of that grief, no like our furry four-legged friends. She was also one of the founders of the Society doubt many of you do also. It is almost a failure of will, a failure of love, to let for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in the United States. them grow old – or so it feels. We would do anything to keep them with us, and to keep them young. The one gift we cannot give.” nother Pulitzer Prize winner and one of the lesbian community’s – and America’s - most beloved and cherished poets, Mary Oliver, Do check out the author’s photo on the back flap of the dust jacket. I can’t be sure has just published a slim new volume of poetry, called “Dog if that’s a party-colored poodle, poodle mix or doodle, or a less than perfect (given A the colors) Portuguese water dog. Do yourself a favor this year. Buy this book. Songs.” It is a splendid collection of poems that capture the power of our relationship to dogs. Oliver is known for the simplicity of her work and Read three times. Keep it. You will go back to it time and again. Then get in your these thirty-five or so entries do not disappoint. They are often very short, car or on the bus and go to the nearest animal shelter and rescue a dog. You will but never superficial in their brevity: both be better as a result.
“Love and company,” said Bear, “are the adornments [email protected] that change everything. I know they’ll be nice to me, but I’ll be sad, sad, sad.” And pitifully he wrung his paws.
17 Tokyo SuperStars
| By Beth Brooke,Global Vice Chair Public Policy Ernst & Young
hank you to the organizers and my colleagues at EY around the world; but never being allowed to be. Wanted to discuss how I could possibly have come it’s an honor to speak at the SuperStar Awards today. And an honor for out – amid all the pressures not to do so. Well, that was our beginning together. And T Michelle and I to be here. On a day in which the LGBT world mourns while a lot of good has come about from my coming out, meeting Michelle was by the loss of Nelson Mandela. It is humbling to speak. far the best thing! It’s always surreal to watch myself come out on the It Gets Better video. For me Let me introduce my partner, Michelle Marciniak, the love of my life, who personally, I too am at the end of my beginning. accompanied me here across the Pacific … who cares every bit as much asIdo about treating everyone equally. Having fought her way through the homophobic My journey has been more about being a woman than being a gay woman. I world of sports - as the US High school basketball player of the year, to University wasn’t out for 52 years of life or for 31 years of a career at EY and in the Clinton of Tennessee where she won a National Championship as the point guard for the Administration in the US. legendary coach Pat Summit, to the WNBA, to a collegiate coaching career - to excel at the highest levels of sport and now succeed as an incredible entrepreneur having As a woman, I didn’t feel excluded for a long while. I was an athlete and a competitor. founded her own company - SHEEX. I fit into a man’s world. It was easier for me than for most to not be who I really was. But the higher I went, the harder it got. The more excluded I felt. Although we had known each other for several years as business professionals, we met with awareness of each of our sexual orientations by my coming out. She saw It wasn’t until one night about twelve years ago at dinner with a friend that I got the Wall Street Journal article on why there are no gay CEOs. She reached out to serious about doing something about the exclusion of women. have dinner to discuss her struggles over the years with a strong desire to be out – pictures courtesy of toki of courtesy pictures
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com My friend that night looked across the table at me and said “You don’t do enough And the more senior you are the more important it is. People cannot be what they for women”. Stunned, I thought of all the countless women I mentored and coached. cannot see. So they need to see themselves in our senior leaders. How could I not be doing enough? But then I understood what she meant. At EY, in my big fancy role, I could do so much more for women. I had the platform to This also goes for companies and organizations, especially with many in the IT and do more. So…I went on a mission to use my platform the way Hillary Clinton had. financial services industry in Japan. I admire them for their courage in standing up At Davos [The World Economic Forum], at the United Nations, leading the White for the local LGBT community and offering their LGBT employees in Japan benefits House Project, mobilizing women in many countries. As a result, I was named to and support to succeed in their careers. the Forbes list of the World’s100 Most Powerful Women six times. And that has At EY, we truly believe in diversity and “inclusive leadership”. We realized that our been an incredible platform to do even more. For women. But all the while, I was competitive strategy around diversity had to focus on developing inclusive leaders. deeply closeted – fearful of being defined by anything other than being a great The full business case for diversity had to not only be about difference, but how to professional and a great leader. lead in a world of difference. We need to look no further than the legacy of Nelson Mandela for this. Then our LGBT network leader in the US came to me and asked me to be the closer for our EY video for the Trevor project’s It Gets Better campaign, which focused on For our 170k people around the globe, our D&I efforts are as strategically important the issue of suicide among gay teens. Our LGBT professionals would be telling how to us as our revenue growth and geographic expansion. Why? Because they are all their lives got better at EY hoping to inspire the gay teens to hang in there through inextricably linked. the tough times. I was to close it as a senior leader in the firm. A straight ally. Talent – We need the best we can get from all different perspectives. And we need My team wrote the script. I read it on a plane. Nothing in there about my own to get the best out of them. Innovation – Inclusive leaders with diverse teams ignite struggle with my own orientation. I thought – that’s not authentic. How can I talk creative fires. It’s that simple. to these kids and not be authentic. So after a glass of wine I rewrote the script. The video was to be released – to all EY people and the public - the morning after the Customers – The customers we serve today won’t look like the customers we will Trevor awardsdinner where EY was being honored for our work with Trevor. serve 5 years from now. They will come increasingly from different geographies and markets and will be led by the underrepresented populations of today. So we have So I’m giving the acceptance speech at the Trevor dinner on behalf of EY – having to transform our own workforce to have the right relationships with the right people written my own remarks - … saluting all the right people, saying all the right things. and the right time Near the end, I mention our video to be released the next morning. And then I utter the phrase in reference to my own appearance in the video, “As a leader who is Authenticity – It has never been more important for inclusive leaders to be totally gay…” before I can get the next word out of my mouth. Someone in the audience authentic. People cannot truly “see” you if you aren’t authentic. yells… followed by others… then clapping… then a 5 minute standing ovation. And in total shock, I just broke down in tears. When the crowd seated itself, I began If leaders are authentic, they open themselves up in a way that makes them vulnerable again. And all I could muster was a whisper… “As a leader who is gay” – 52 years and more trustworthy. And that is where the power comes. I learned that in coming of silence broken - and then continued on and felt this incredible strength surge into out. my voice. And the biggest leadership lesson of my life that I learned? - You can’t be totally That was the end of my beginning. And the start of a whole new chapter – as a authentic until you are totally authentic. I was kidding myself to think otherwise. totally authentic leader. As a better leader. And as a better person. 32 years into a And I’ll bet many leaders are kidding themselves. Senior leaders today have a very successful career, I am learning more than I could ever have imagined. responsibility and an opportunity to be more authentic and more vulnerable. The power they will unleash will blow them away. The positive reaction and support has been overwhelming – and the impact far greater than I could have imagined. None of the negative I so feared. And none of Make no mistake - You can’t have inclusive leaders if they don’t have incredibly my own crazy internal reaction that I feared. diverse perspectives to lead. So we can never take our eye off reiterating the business case for diversity and equipping people with the compelling facts that difference But more importantly, I’m learning. My biggest learning on the video’s release? matters. The focus on inclusive authentic leadership as a competitive business Difference matters to EVERYONE. Through the 1000s of emails I recd,- from gay, strategy is a game changer. At EY, we’re truly excited by how much more we can and straight, parents with gay kids, with everyone sharing their own stories with me. will do. And we know that we are all on that journey together and so we’re excited Difference in their own mind – a visible difference, or just some uncertainties, or to be your partners on the road. self-doubts…mattered. It mattered to them. , I had somehow given them permission to feel good about their difference and valued for it. Because I said it mattered to Right now, we are focused on identifying the behaviors of great inclusive leaders. me and it mattered to EY. Do you value difference or does it frighten you? Are you comfortable in the chaos of viewpoints that differ from your own? Do you try to meet people where they are – in This is about all of us – EVERYONE wants their perspectives valued and heard. their cultural underpinnings and their human experiences or do you operate through And everyone wants to succeed by being who they are - , NOT by having to conform the lens of your own experiences? Do you make difference safe or do you dismiss to be like something they are not. ideas not aligned with your own? Do you listen before you talk? Do you validate through a diverse group any decision made by people who look, So I want to close with a few lessons learned in the early days of my new chapter: think and act like you? We don’t need a shelf for “special” people. Everyone is special and made so by their difference. And everyone is different. I try to check myself on the answers to those questions every day. We all should.
Role models: We talk a lot about role models. But I see their power in a whole new Let’s all strive to find our voice. To use our platforms. To make a difference on these light. For instance, our MC, Koyuki Higashi, for bravely coming out and publicly very important issues. Difference Matters and everyone is different. marrying her partner at Tokyo Disneyland, Aya Kamikawa for her continuous strive to serve the public as an openly transgender councilwoman, openly gay Consul Michelle and I are thinking about together how we can do more to advance the General Patrick Linehan for his heartfelt efforts including his very own authentic dialogue for equality and fairness around the world. One thing is for sure. Each filming of the Japan version of the It Gets Better video, and Maki Muraki for her of us can make a difference. As the great Nelson Mandela said…. It always seems leadership in promoting workplace diversity and inclusive policies as an LGBT impossible… until it is done. professional. These are just a few of the many out in Japan that demonstrate that leadership is about being who YOU are so others can be who THEY are and know Have a fabulous event! that they will, be valued, and make a difference by doing so.
19 Herstyle It’s a New Year, Time For a New You !
| By Christin & Ashley Kelly-Brown
don‘t, will most likely walk away wishing they did smile. Also, if you’re looking to improve your sex appeal, smiling is not only attractive, but makes you more sociable and confident. So get out there, tigress, and show those pearly whites to the world! And this New Year, make it your priority to be all smiles from here on out, and we promise it’ll make you and everyone else around you feel at least a little more cheery. And speaking of cheerful, when was the last time that you laughed? I mean, truly, laughed until your stomach hurt? Laughter and having a pretty darn good sense of humor is said to not only be healthy, but also reduces stress, depression, and may actually extend the longevity of your life. Sure, you can burn a few micro-calories through having a good belly-laugh, but can laughing often truly be good for you? Well, actually…yes. Science has shown that a good dose of laughter can boost the immune system, reduce stress-related hormones, circulate fresh air through the lungs which increases blood oxygen, and ow quickly did time fly by this year? I mean, you have major it just flat out feels holidays like MLK Day, Valentine‘s, St. Patty‘s, and Cinco de good. No wonder these HMayo, but then it almost seems like after Summer Break, the “laughing baby” home holidays come so fast and then BAM! It’s New Year’s Day again. So with videos have so many that being said, we know those New Year’s resolutions that we oh-so-love views. Laughing is a creating (then possibly breaking) are just around the corner. There’s a universal language and study by Richard Wiseman, professor at the University of Hertfordshire, no matter what part of UK and he states that 88% of the 3,000 people involved in the study the world you’re from, failed at keeping their resolution, even though 52% of them were super a smile is worth its confident in the beginning. Now, women (yay us!) are also more likely weight in gold. and have better success while gaining support from loved ones and being openly public about their resolutions. 2. Try a new hair style, cut, or beauty The bottom line is that many of us take part in this annual ritual because regimen it gives us time to reflect upon self-improvement, regardless of the outcome. So this month, we’re coming together and giving you our Top 5 There’s nothing quite New Year, New You suggestions that are sure to keep you feeling happy, like switching-up your feeling enlightened, and feeling like you can achieve anything you put usual routine than a your mind to, at any time of the year. new haircut, wardrobe, or beauty regimen. If 1. Smile more, Laugh hard you’re anything like me, I tend to get a A smile is the most easily recognizable expression and can be seen from little antsy with my choice of style throughout the year and search for over 300 feet away. So, when you smile you’re not only more relaxed, something new, innovative, and refreshing. Now, the great thing about but it also reduces stress which helps promote better health and a stronger these changes is that unlike a tattoo, many of them are temporary. Your immune system. Like yawning, smiling is very contagious and guaranteed hair will grow, the color can be changed, and make up comes off when to brighten somebody’s day. Try this. The next time you‘re in a grocery you wash your face. This year, get out of your usual and experiment with store or walking your dog, smile at a complete stranger and see if they different ways to express yourself. It can be as easy as adjusting where smile back. Majority of the time, people will smile back and the ones that your hair parts or as bold as making a red lipstick your statement. Allow
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com yourself to be out of your comfort zone and embrace change. Even the yourself a little gratitude and pampering in the New Year. You deserve it! littlest adjustments can lead to bigger changes and all you have to do is have fun doing it. 5. Be the change you want to see in the world.
Strong words from a wise man, but wow, are they true. So often we’re quick to point the finger at others and say what we would’ve done in their shoes, instead of lending a hand. When I was growing up, my father would have us work a soup kitchen or feed the homeless during the holidays to remind us of how fortunate we were and it would always put my year in perspective. It was another year of having a solid roof over my head and another year of going to school with a warm meal in my tummy. To me, that was enough to make me realize how blessed we truly were. This year, get maybe you and a couple of friends together and volunteer at your local women and children’s shelter, or adopt a dog from a rescue if you have the extra space. You can also make a difference by donating your time toward a local “beach clean-up” or running a marathon for your favorite foundation or organization. Whatever you choose, doing a big giveback is a great way to set your new year in motion and get on the good foot into a better year and a better version of you (oh, and possibly rack up those good karma points too!)
3. Take up a Yoga practice
While it may seem a bit trendy to jump on the yoga-bandwagon, sometimes the trends may have a touch of truth. Now, I have to admit that I was definitely one of those people that chuckled inside whenI would see those cute, Lululemon-wearing girls with damp, high ballerina buns and a bright yoga mat strutting away from their practice. But, after taking up yoga myself for a few months, I must say that I absolutely feel a difference. Whether it’s better flexibility, relief from chronic back pain, strengthening your joints, or simply lowering your stress levels, picking up yoga or any other form of exercise is sure to get you feeling more energetic and Zen within a few shorts sessions. Namaste!
4. Be nice to YOU
This year, make sure that you’re the absolute kindest to the one and only person that keeps you movin’…YOU. Yeah, I’m talking about you. The one person that you’re probably hardest on, overwork the most, and still don’t make the necessary time to pat yourself on the back. Even those of us that are in relationships deserve a little alone time for clarity, self- reflection and evaluation, and also complete relaxation. While we’re on the subject of relaxation, when was the last time you had a spa day? A So Cheers to YOU in 2014! And in the words of a dear friend of massage? A gardening day? Just a day when you had the power of doing ours “Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no whatever you felt was necessary for your 100% relaxation and satisfaction. longer serves you, grows you or makes you happy.” We must realize that we have a choice in how we treat ourselves, and taking care of ourselves only means that we can then take care of others. [email protected] So don’t be afraid to kick up your heels every once in a while and show
21 LORRI JEAN CEO Of The World’s Largest, Most Successful Gay And Lesbian Center
By Gladi Adams, PhD
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com hen I think of women who have broken because they like you; they like being around you, working with the glass ceiling, Lorri Jean is right at you and just being in your company. Your style definitely helps the the top of this list. In her 10 years at the Center to grow because we saw what happened when you left and helm of the largest and most successful LGBT Center in the entire world, her Wstory is legend. Known not only for her skill as an attorney but for the powerful bonds of friendship and respect she has forged throughout her tenure as CEO, she commands respect and admiration in both the straight and gay communities. She hobnobs with the richest and most successful people in the state and is protector and defender to both the elderly and the teens whom she welcomes to the LA Gay and Lesbian Center on a daily basis. Believe me, this lady has credentials and connections. It would seem as if everyone in Los Angeles and beyond is familiar with her and her work. There are no strangers in her life.
LN: Now that you have been CEO for 10 years, it is apparent by your continuing success that the Center has been blessed with your
things did not move forward?
LJ: Yes, leadership is important. Also I have been blessed to be well suited for this work. I have a team of people behind me of Board members and staff who are the best of the best. All these things move us forward.
LN: Everyone has a political opinion. I’d like to have yours on the current state of affairs in our LGBT community.
LJ: We are making progress at breakneck speed. It doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of work to do. I feel we are experiencing a realistic change out there. We have reached a tipping point in terms of laws treating people equally and also in the way society is viewing us. More and more people are accepting us and now unlike any time in the Center’s previous history, we have main stream partners and leadership. What do you feel has been your greatest achievement politicians coming to us. That never happened in the past. We had to during this time? go to them and beg at their doors and a few might let us in and now they are coming to us which is very interesting to see. But there is one LJ: Oh my gosh! Wow! I feel great about being in this job. It’s stunning worry I have. I met with the head of a foundation last week who has to me how quickly the 10 years have gone and how different things been supporting us for many years. He said to me now that we have have been during these years. We have grown phenomenally. The legal equality is there any need to have an LGBT Center? I think one budget 10 years ago was 32 million and private dollar fund raising of the points people need to realize is that while marriage equality declined to about 3 million. Now our annual budget is 72 million and is tremendously important, it has never been the be all and end all we are raising 50 million privately excluding capital dollars. We have of our movement. Since the state has recognized many of our rights, 400 fulltime staff members now. We have broken all growth plans for the demand from our community has been skyrocketing. It’s like the the last 20 years and we’re doing more exciting work of all different progress in rights has given people the courage to come forward and kinds every day. We even have an employee in China. We have ask for our help. On a single day last summer we had a day where 134 expanded pretty dramatically with some ground breaking programs homeless youth came forward to ask for our help. In July 1077 people and we are ready to expand even further. We are out of space. We are came to our center seeking medical help. The number of seniors about to purchase a piece of property across the street from the Village coming to us has tripled in the last months. on which we are going to build a phenomenal new facility. This hasn’t been talked about publically but this building will enable us to take LN: I suppose that the number of people coming out like actors an exponential leap in our programs for youth and for seniors and this and athletes and all the different shows on television has had an is going to include a multi generational affordable housing complex. impact on things too. Our visibility is unlike anything it has ever been. Are there other ways the Center has been impacted? LN: What you just told our readers is a perfect example of your leadership. You have the kind of personality that draws people in LJ: Yes, because of this visibility, younger children are coming out.
pictures courtesy of L.A. of Center courtesy pictures & Lesbian Gay In one case where a youngster wished to come out but was told not 23 to do so because the school community was not ready for it; he did with that. In the 90’s I did not understand the importance of bringing come out and immediately suffered a backlash from the students and everybody together and developing programming specifically for teachers too. The Center has had a program with the LA Schools for Transgender. So with many Transgender people the only connection several years now. So we were invited in to meet with them and train they have ever had with community was with our community at the with them. Here in arguably the most progressive school district in Center. Many of them perhaps thought they were gay or lesbian at first the country we experienced teachers sitting in the back with their before they realized how to put everything into context. I am a big subscriber to Martin Luther King Jr’s statement that ‘until all of us are free, none of us are free’.
LN: Recently Katie Couric did a segment on her show about gender identity.It was so enlightening because the parents who were her guests spoke so openly about how their children felt they were born in the wrong bodies. These parents were definitely trying to honor their children’s wishes.
LJ: I know what you are saying because it is the same experience we are having at the Center. Parents are coming in with children as young as 5 years or with their first grader saying my kid is going to summer camp or school and even though he was born in a boy’s body, she is a girl and we are worried about how they are going to treat her. This is just unprecedented because we have never had anyone bring in an LGBT kid to discuss this. You have got to give it to these kids because right away they know who they are. These parents are truly arms crossed over their chests saying we don’t support this, we don’t something themselves because it is hard enough to recognize that your believe in this. It’s against our religion. Our response to this was child is gay but to have to deal with a completely opposite gender “You are entitled to your own religious beliefs in the privacy of your identity, it has to be difficult for them. These parents are not coming own homes but you are not entitled to subject LGBT youths to your from economically wealthy communities but are just working class beliefs.” So we still have a lot of work to do in Los Angeles. As great people and they are dealing with it. I think our LGBT community has as things are here, there are still things to do. Fortunately we have this helped lay the groundwork for this flexibility and allow parents to feel program in place with the LAUSD where they are the authority and this is possible even though they don’t understand it. we have the expertise.
LN: Bullying has been a huge problem for children of all communities not just LGBT youth. How do you feel social media LN; Do you feel any positive progress is being made toward has impacted this problem? Transgender in the community? LJ: I feel it has created a situation where someone can bully another LJ: I think we are making progress. The activism in the Trans community and be anonymous. It is the same phenomenon as with email. Think is growing like gang busters. There is still a lot of education that about the email we may shoot off that may have a tone. If we would needs to be done. Many people, even in our own community, do not just get up and walk to that person’s office and speak with them in understand gender identity because it is a different thing from sexual person, we would be much less abrupt and even more compassionate. orientation. I admit to being a little late to the party myself and I had I think that social media, in spite of all the good things it has created, to have my consciousness raised. People are here today whom I credit has contributed to an environment where some youth feel freer to say
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com things they wouldn’t say in person. LN: How do you handle all the responsibilities and commitments you have? LN: At the beginning of this interview, you told us about the building project you are planning. Have you a personal pet LJ: Well, lately I have been so busy with this new property; some project? things do fall through the cracks. Also I have a great assistant. Luckily I have always been a high energy person. I am a shameless extrovert LJ: For me personally I have become increasingly interested in a so instead of getting worn down by being around people, that gives me project for teens. There is a whole group of generations of us who a boost. So that really helps me not be tired. I keep a list on my desk don’t have children. Who is going to help us out? When I think of my of things to do and that keeps me on track. We are deluged by emails own parents who remained very much with it, they still needed help. and demands are everywhere. Thankfully I have a team that can help People are increasingly coming to the Center saying what are you me with a lot of this. going to do? We have to figure out a plan. Even if you have money, you will need someone looking out for you whom you can trust because you could be taken advantage of, so you need help.
LN: My last question is about you and Gina. Are you two married?
LJ: Yes, we are. We got married 5 years ago and celebrated our anniversary Sept. 27th. It’s so funny because we keep forgetting it LN: I don’t know if you have spare time to eek out from your because we celebrated another anniversary for 17 years in March that extremely busy schedule but if so, what do you like to do? was not legal so we chose to get married in Sept. during the time it was legal. But we keep forgetting the date. The very first year our LJ: My partner Gina and I love to travel. We go to Hawaii every year anniversary was legal Gina was at work and a friend came up to her around Thanksgiving for a couple of weeks because it is one of our and said, “Happy Anniversary” and Gina said “Of what?” And her favorite places. Also I love spending time over good food and wine friend said, ‘of your wedding.” Gina panicked and said, Oh my God, with friends. I socialize with people I love, who don’t expect me to be I am in trouble now because Lorri will remember and flowers will on and I don’t have to be the “lesbian leader” when I am with them. arrive at my office this afternoon. So after she hadn’t heard from me We just have a great time. by mid afternoon, she called me and said, “Happy Anniversary” and I said “Happy Anniversary of what?” So we keep forgetting it but all joking aside, when we started planning this wedding, being long time feminists, the institution of marriage was not something that was laudable yet there were some financial and other reasons and we did get swept up in the excitement. But what we didn’t realize was going to happen was how much that fact of getting legally married would mean to our straight friends and family who had always been supportive of us but who had now something to which they could relate. Domestic partnerships meant nothing to them so it ended up being so profoundly beautiful to us and then we had to grapple with the W word because we had to call each other ‘wives’ and I was reacting to it and Gina said look, “We have reclaimed words like Dyke which I use all the time and am proud to be one, so if we don’t adopt the same language the rest of the culture uses, we are just going to end up being different so she convinced me so now I’m used to using the W word.
25 LESBIANS ON who’s LOCATION who? TSSA Awards
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com Lesbian News Photo Shoot and June Mazer Archives for Book and Film Events Lesbian News pictures courtesy of Angela Brinskele Brinskele Angela of courtesy pictures News Lesbian 27 LORI MICHAELS By Nat Burns Recording Artist - Songwriter - Philanthropist - photo credit: Lloyd Baggs LGBT Activist: This Lesbian Superstar Is
| By Marsha Naify The Complete Package
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com alented and bright, it is almost a disservice LM:When I wanted to form a nonprofit organization, I sat down LM: I have a great business partner and we both run the to call Lori Michaels a “Lesbian Superstar” with a couple of legal advisers, lawyers and accountants and place. Today, in my life, I work with my nonprofit, I juggle because she is so much more than that. But formed the board and I insisted there would be no salaries, that appearances and I do shows and events. The Dance Center has that is one of her claims to fame thanks to we would lean on our family and friends to dedicate time and done some incredible performances. In October we performed Bravo’s Andy Cohen, who coined the term resources. Nobody was going to get paid but that we would at an American Cancer Society event; we had an all-star cheer for her when she appeared on his show find a way to put positive programs together and raise money team. I performed one of my songs, an original song that I had “Watch What Happens Live” last summer. for the causes that we were supporting. We are proud of the written for a breast cancer project. These are the types of things Cohen, who is Bravo’s gay pop culture talk show host, work that we have done, because we were able to not only we do. Talso dotes on all the “Real Housewives” shows which, show up and produce and educate and empower, we were also coincidentally, also happen to be on Bravo. In 2010 able to write the checks from the support of the people that we LN: Your debut album “Living My Life Out Loud” came Michaels had a brief relationship with Danielle Staub, gathered together. That is the main thing with the organization out in 2008. How did that come about exactly? one of the cast members of the New Jersey show, which being called Reach Out - how can you reach out? We never was highly publicized. But LN readers know Michaels as focused just on drugs or just on violence or prejudice; it was LM: I had a very close friend that was helping me out musically a talented singer/songwriter from her many performances something when someone needed help or another organization and he became my manager. He was working with a company at at Gay Pride Festivals, her studio albums and her activism needed help, we would gather and get people involved and get that time that had its own record label and he pushed for them to for LGBT rights. What you may not know is that at them inspired to want to do something. sign a deal with me and put out an album. It’s an amazing album 16 years of age Michaels founded her own nonprofit and we put together a tour with it comprised mainly of Pride organization to educate and promote awareness about the LN: Previous interviewers have asked you about coming Festivals but also with sporting events like the Nets who were perils of illegal drug abuse, alcohol abuse, tobacco, crime out, and you have stated that you never really came out, in New Jersey at the time. I got a dance single off of the album. and violence and prejudice. The organization was also because you were always out. Can you explain what you The record label eventually folded, so then I went on my own involved in the AIDS crisis and cancer issues. Not only mean by that? and formed my own production company and my own label. It is Michael’s an incredible musical talent but she has her all came to a head when I was able to get one of my songs on feet on the ground and knows what really matters in life. LM: When I was young, I can remember in kindergarten having the Billboard dance chart: Rebound. a fond affection for being close with the girls and with women LN: I believe you live and work in New York now. Can you and by the time I was in 7th grade I already had my first little LN: There was certainly a lot of publicity surrounding tell me about your your early life and how you got started girlfriend. I never really thought there was anything wrong with your relationship with Danielle Staub, not to mention the in music? it. When I say I never really officially came out, my story is a notoriety that Andy Cohen garnered for you by labeling little different from the ones that you hear from people who you the “Lesbian Superstar”. How in the world did you get LM: I’m actually a Jersey girl. I live in New Jersey, and my unfortunately and sometimes tragically have to endure that pain. hooked up with Danielle? office is in New York City and my Dance Center is inNew My heart goes out to those people. I was just one of the ones Jersey. When I was a child I was in Catholic school and I had a that says I am going to just deal with it and if everybody around LM: I met Danielle backstage at the Nokia Theatre in New York wonderful music teacher when I was there and they had a youth me doesn’t want to deal with it, too bad for them. I never had to where I was performing at a gay event. She was backstage with group. I also took piano lessons and dance lessons when I was announce it and even when I did my party in 2006 and I called other VIP celebrities. We took a picture together and I gave her really young. I never thought I was going to sing but my music it my “Coming Out Party”, people misinterpreted it. I’ve always a CD of mine. A couple of short months later, I was at a diner teacher and my pastor and the youth group at my school got me said I was gay; I just wanted to have a party and celebrate who in New Jersey. I was sitting with my music producer, looked involved with singing. They put me in the choir and I was pulled I am and be proud. That’s always been my message - celebrate up and saw her there. My producer said lets go say hello and out as a soloist. Every Saturday evening and Sunday morning I who you are and be proud. That’s why I have always done the I said oh, she won’t remember me; I just met her a couple of would lead the congregation at my church. During the Holiday Pride Festivals; I love walking out on stage and saying here I months ago. I went over there and I said “hello Danielle you’re masses and all the church masses, I was basically there two am and I’m gay. not going to remember me” and she looked up and said “hi times a week singing. I just always felt really good singing; I Lori Michaels”. We started talking and her younger daughter always got wonderful feedback from the congregation. I always LN: So you went to a Catholic grammar school and grew wanted to sing and I offered to help her. A few short weeks say that is where I got my voice - from church. up in a Catholic Italian family. Your Dad was a plumber later Danielle called up and I started writing some songs for her and your Mom was a housewife. Did they support you being daughter. Then Danielle said she wanted to record a duet with LN: And did you continue doing that until you graduated gay? me. From there, things just went so fast. The next thing I know high school? Andy Cohen is calling up wanting us to perform that song live on his show. It was a little bit of a blur, because the next thing LM: After I graduated from that school in eighth grade (she was you know it’s E, Access Hollywood and the National Enquirer. valedictorian), my family moved to another town and I stopped It became such a circus but I learned a lot from it. I needed a singing briefly. But it was pretty interesting because itwas little vacation after all that. That was right before I opened my around that same time when I was noticed by a management Dance Center in 2011. I was on the reunion episode and it was company; they put me in a girl group when I was in 9th grade. a very, very wild ride for me.The only thing with me is that I We started performing in clubs; we had a song out on the radio... was able to take a breath and I always knew who I was. Even and then I was pulled out of the group to work on my own. when I went back on Andy’s show, he recognized the song, and At 15, 16 years old I was the opening act for the group New said it was a great song. That is what it came down to for me. Kids On The Block. Back then, they were the One Direction of I thought she did a great job on that song. I was proud of the the 1980’s. That was an interesting transition from singing in song. Today it’s about the song and the content and quality of church to really doing this. the song. Which sometimes gets lost.
LN: So you made a rather fast transition from singing in LN: Do you write all your own music? And what do you school, to being in a group and then performing as a solo LM: My family has supported me with everything that I’ve have going on right now? Is there a new album? artist. done. Number one they love me unconditionally and number two they have always been proud of me. When my parents split LM: Yes, I do write a lot of my own stuff. Sometimes I LM: Yes - I got pulled out of the group almost immediately and up, there was in the back of my mind, when I went to college at collaborate with other musicians and producers. I have a release did a quick run of the tour with New Kids. I was juggling going NYU, that I needed to become a lawyer or that I just couldn’t on iTunes December 4; it’s called Lori Michaels NOW. It’s 18 back and forth between concerts and school. I went back for live on my talents and loving music. By the time I graduated, tracks, fully reloaded - really essential tracks from my music school softball games - I loved being in high school and I loved that thinking shifted. Singing and songwriting could be my collection. The album showcases my singing and songwriting my sports. It was kind of a blessing and a curse. I was juggling career, I thought and that gradually started to become a reality. talents. In 2014 I will be doing shows highlighting the album professional industry stuff with being a normal teenager and compilation. I picked the 18 songs and they all have some my heart was wanting to stay in school and be with my family LN: So you graduated from NYU in 1995. Was it then that great relevance. It’s an eclectic mix that will remind the fans and be on the softball team but my passion and my drive was you decided to start performing again? it’s still about the music. In January, I will be in Miami with to go out and pursue my music and my dance. The business a worldwide fitness convention, where I will kick off various of the industry was something that never really resonated with LM: Because of the nature of the nonprofit organization, I was appearances outside of New York. I will of course be at various me and difficult to swallow at times. I missed being at home; working a lot with kids and teaching at a dance center. I never Pride Festivals and other club events throughout the year. simultaneously I had founded my nonprofit organization when thought I was going to be, quote unquote, a dance teacher. I I was in high school as well. It felt better to not go out on tour, started teaching dance and fitness, which kept me in great Since the interview with Michaels, her new album - “Lori stay at home and work on the projects I wanted to do, which is shape. That helped me out financially too. About three years Michaels Now” - is currently available on iTunes. To find out what I ended up doing. ago I opened my own Dance Center; it’s not your typical dance more about Lori Michaels and her upcoming appearances go to school though. www.lorimichaelsmusic.com. LN: When you started Reach Out at 16, how did you fund it - how did you actually start it? Did it start out with LN: That is the Viibe Dance Center. It’s located in Bergen volunteers? County in New Jersey.
29 QUEERLY QUESTIONING New Problems, Old Solutions | By Juno Parrenas, PhD
yphoon Haiyan ripped through the land of my three different times by three different organizations. love the other, in the face of ecological destruction birth with 300kph winds, killing thousands Stories like these have led to demands for more brought about by climate change, I would have to T and displacing hundreds of thousands. transparency. This call for transparency is not just see that my “carbon footprint” has a direct impact on Some, including UNICEF, call this event a “natural from the international community but is a local one in others in the world. Without making that connection, disaster.” Others point to the growing extremity of the Philippines. Filipinos are fed up with their corrupt charity becomes a petty solution to a bigger problem. such ecological events. They call it a sign of global congress. Indeed, we in the US should be inspired and climate change. feel more embolden to stand up against our own corrupt Drive a car to work? Or spend the extra hour taking the congress, in which 47% are millionaires, compared to rain? I take the train. The solution to natural disasters have hitherto been the the 1% in American society at large. same: raise funds and donate to major charities, such However, responses like mine, too, are small. At the as the Red Cross, MercyCorps or OxFam. This is what As a result of the desire for more transparency, end of the day, my reason for doing so is selfish: happened in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti average people are now keen on supporting smaller inconveniencing myself allows me to bear living in the in 2010 and in Aceh, Indonesia in the aftermath of the organizations that already have worked in the sites of midst of global inequality. What really needs to happen tsunami of 2006. disaster. For instance, I gave to Partners in Health for is serious political change. The actions I do are merely helping recovery efforts in Haiti. Likewise, for relief individual but they become powerful when we as a Yet, I am increasingly skeptical of turning to large efforts in the Philippines, I trust Filipino Worker’s collective demand bigger changes, when we demand organizations, each with an agenda of what is the Center in Los Angeles and NAFCON in Queens, New that the US seriously curb its carbon emissions. Such best course of action. Haiti’s relief efforts raised York. policy change is not charity to others in need but 6 billion dollars for a country of 10 million people responsibility to those with whom we live on this and yet 200,000 to 400,000 thousand people still Regardless of what organization that I support, I planet. We may not know them personally, but they are reside in temporary shelters. Many stories point to still feel that I am following an old solution to a new our significant others. the same problem of disaster relief in which too many problem. The problem is framed by the idea of charity organizations swoop down and have a short sighted itself. Rooted in the Latin caritas, from carus or dear, [email protected] and limited vision of what must be done: In Aceh, for the term references love for the other. Yet the term is instance, the same children were vaccinated for measles now limited to monetary gift-giving. If I were to really
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Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com MOVIES EYE C When violence becomes In Bloom | By John Esther
creening at this month’s Palm Springs Film (at any level) and organized crime. Only some are more Festival, Georgia’s Oscar entry for Best Film in legitimate than others. Sa Foreign Language Category, In Bloom (Grzeli nateli dgeebi), displays the dreary, daily lives of two As a result and the history of Georgians under Soviet adolescent females coming of age in post-Soviet rule plays a part in this, the Georgians in this film revert Georgia. become shameless, hopeless and fatalist. Whether somebody cuts in a bread line, or several thugs are chasing Eka (Lika Babluani) is one of the smart kids whose a guy down the street, or a girl is being kidnapped, or a wits must be used to survive the violent streets of grown man slaps a teenager girl across the face, nobody Georgia’s capital, Tblisis, rather than survive any exam does anything. At least in the public sphere nobody does her grotesquely disruptive school may throw her way. Aside from her ultimately fleeing beauty, whatever Natia anything. In the private sphere, the resentment and self- The naturally smart one in class (in a classroom full of lacks in Eka’s pragmatism and patience, she compensates loathing channel something else in these human beasts. students who could not care less about learning – just for in courage. Life has asked her to tolerate much like their parents) Eka is also smarter and more sensitive cruelty from an early age. Much like the streets and Written and co-directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and co- than her elder sister, Sophiko (Maiko Ninua), a vapid school in the film, Natia’s house is filled with chaos and directed by Simon Gross, In Bloom shows solidarity in but nice girl obsessed with petty gossip (and awful violence. Natia’s constantly intoxicated father (Temiko the face of cultural insanity. Despite the circumstances taste in music). Meanwhile Eka’s mother, Ana (Ana Chichinadze) and angry mother (Tamar Buknikashvili) which have brought them together and ultimately, apart, Nijaradze) is trying to hold their petite bourgeois home routinely hold vicious arguments in the house. Eka and Natia have each other. To look after each other together while Eka’s father remains in prison for some and take care of one another when life at home is too undisclosed reason. Between their homes and school, the girls have been able hard, when a bully accosts one of them, or during other to find reconciliation, hope and solidarity in their deep incidences of threat. Occasionally this care is misdirected An alpha adolescent female in her own right, Eka’s friendship. However, that relationship changes after the or misused but not at the least, when push comes to shove best friend, Natia (Mariam Bokeria) is the class beauty recently democratically elected Zviad Gamsakhuria has (into marriage), a friend sometimes just has to grin and in and agent provocateur. She already has two suitors: been overthrown in a bloody military coup. this film’s most striking yet flawed shot, take it…to the the “sensitive” Lado (Data Zakareishvili) who gives dance floor, just so her friend can be happy. her a gun as a token of his feelings; and Kote (Zurab Like most of region in post-Soviet Europe, Georgia’s Gogaladze), a local thug who must possess Eka. corruption rots from the head down. There no longer [email protected] exists a discernible demarcation between government Notes From Nat A New Gaga—Naked To The World | By Nat Burns
ait! The holiday season isn’t over yet. Let’s good dance tune, I’m not exactly sure what it’s all about. called a power-bottom anthem by Gaga and concerns female carry some of that holiday energy right into the “Donatella” is about meeting fashion expectations while power. Then there is “Sexxx Dreams” which could be a WNew Year. If you are a Lady Gaga fan, you are “Fashion” is about looking good, no matter what. “Mary Jane bisexual fantasy made real. “Jewels and Drugs”, featuring in for a treat. Holland” seems to be about how smoking a little herb tends rappers T.I., Too $hort and Twista, is all about the drug to bring out Gaga’s culture while “ManiCure” and “Do What u Want”, featuring The lady has finally done an album just for herself. ARTPOP brunette and “Dope” R Kelly, pose more uncomplicated sex offers. is a departure from her past work and life. Maybe all she is a ballad about wanted to vent initially has been vented. I have to say, I’m feeling low from Overall, I think this album is Gaga divesting herself of all not sure I love this album. I mean, I’m not going to toss living high and the devices and subterfuge she has sheltered under for the it away or anything. It’s enjoyable. It’s just not The Fame about dealing with past five years as she made her perilous, non-guaranteed Monster or Born This Way, albums that one simply couldn’t loss. way to the top. Here her true voice shines forth and oddly step away from. Gaga says she is trying to get back to a enough, she sounds very different from the performer she sort of Warhol-root within herself. I do think this album Another song I liked was before. accomplishes that. a lot was “Gypsy”, At the same time, a pop icon becomes that way by a career about striking out on of layer upon layer of hits and memorable work. This is the This is the third studio album for Gaga, made during 2012 her own and giving newest layer but one has to wonder if the material will be as and released in November 2013 after the Born This Way up a home for the long lasting as her earlier two albums. Only time—and her Ball tour. The lyrics are deeper and deal with darker issues love of her art and public— will tell. such as drugs, drinking and the ego-boost of applause and finding a new, more being a star. It almost rings like an anthem to recovery and to compatible life with someone new. I liked “Applause” as ©2013 by Interscope Records www.ladygaga.com twelve step programs of whatever sort. Then there’s the sex. well, finding it honest and memorable. This and “Artpop” This is a very sexual work, not that “Love Game” or “Poker are the bust out singles that I feel will probably be the most ‘Til next month, Face” weren’t but they arguably can’t compare to “Do What notable. You Want” and “Sexxx Dreams”. Nat Other tracks include “Aura”, which, though unusual, seems I really liked the title track, “Artpop”, the sound and to be a powerful choice of spirit over pop star and “Venus” [email protected] the sensibility of it. “Swine” was another story. While a — definitely a dance tune. “G.U.Y. (Girl Under You)” is
31 The Ultimate Resource in Living Out Southern California Koumpounophobia | By Sally Sheklow
used to consider it fair game to ridicule homophobes. I mean the irrational fear and hatred of gay people is so, well, Iirrational. The way I saw it, pointing out that absurdity was a public service. What’s more absurd than homophobia? I’ve made fun of it for years.
Use Our App to But I have to apologize. Really. I’m sorry for mocking queer- Find Out Which fearers. Turns out being homophobic is no joking matter.
Businesses Here’s what changed my mind.
Support I was pursuing my button hobby when it happened. Now, Our hobbies are supposed to be a good way to reduce stress, right? And god(dess) knows being queer can be stressful. So Community! in addition to fighting the good fight for queer visibility and equal rights, I’ve developed this button hobby. All my life I’ve loved buttons. Every kind –big, tiny, new, vintage – you name it. LOVE them!
To me, there is no thrill like scoring an old box/bag/jar/tin of buttons. I love to sort them, organize them and make stuff out of them to give as presents or sell at craft fairs. Pure, stress- free delight.
At one recent button-creation selling events, a woman comes GayAndLesbianPages.com up to my booth, admires my bouquets and says her friend so- Tom Adler, and-so is deathly afraid of buttons and is pretty much a recluse Owner because she’s terrified of buttons on clothing. Terrified. Can 1-866-718-GAYS (4297) you imagine?
I looked it up. A surprising number of people have this irrational fear of buttons. It’s called koumpounophobia. Who knew?
Sufferers commented that they despise the sight, feel and smell of buttons. Buttons terrify them, make their skin crawl, even make them puke. Some can’t say or even type the word except as bu***ns.
It’s awful. These folks don’t WANT to be afraid or disgusted by buttons, they just are. A few can trace their phobia back to a childhood trauma like a getting a button stuck up their with nose or choking on one but mostly there’s no apparent cause, other than maybe a genetic predisposition. It must make life very tough.
As much as I love buttons, my heart goes out to "standout" "fantastic!" koumpounophobes. They will never know the rush of - TIME - Entertainment Weekly acquiring and sorting through an old button stash or the bliss of making button art. Like I do. Their only hope is exposure Rolling Stone just named her one of their therapy where they’re gradually exposed to first one button, then two and so on until their phobia eventually dissolves. 50 Funniest People! Many never recover.
I guess it’s the same with homophobes. They seem ridiculous until you think about how pathetic they are. Terrified to venture beyond their hetero-only worlds lest they accidentally see, feel or smell a queer person. They can’t enjoy the delights gay, lesbian and bisexual people could bring into their lives. It makes their skin crawl to watch queer people become socially normalized and accepted, legally recognized and hosting award shows. Who knows what childhood trauma may have brought it on, or whether it was just some genetic predisposition? They can’t help it. It’s nothing to laugh about.
I’m going to stop ridiculing homophobes. I wish them well. I think exposure will gradually dissolve enough homophobia 1605 N. Spurgeon Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 for queer people to gain our full equal rights and protections. For homophobes who never recover, I guess they’ll just have 714.953.5428 thecenteroc.org to stay at home. Maybe take up a nice hobby.
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com HUMANITY HERE Joy! Joy! Joy! | By Karen Williams
is the season to be... expect. However, I was very excited because I’ve never with an extra packet of cocoa. The big smile he gave me done anything like this before. Tables were neatly arranged warmed my heart. T Joyful? Just how am I supposed to do that? Or to seat six and were covered with colorful cloths with au- be that? What is joy anyway? tumnal centerpieces featuring small pumpkins and gourds. Although I was not with my biological family members this Volunteers were assigned to teams of order takers, runners, holiday, I can honestly say that I felt like a part of a bigger I have to admit that I am happy when I get the things I and servers, with four tables given to each team. I decided family this time. At one point, I felt like I was serving at want; or get to be with someone with whom I want to share to be a server, which gave me the opportunity to assist the a fine restaurant with the warmest, kindest, most grateful my time and energy. I feel rapture when I have a new love order takers by getting plates of food and bringing them to clientele ever. When I looked around the room, I expe- or get another car. (I’ve had 47 of them and I still get excit- the tables. I also got to meet and greet folks, and pay close rienced deep stirrings of gratitude and joy, empathy and ed!) I can even feel ecstasy when more money mystically attention to their needs. compassion. falls into my lap. But joy...that’s an elusive one and I finally figured out why. Deeply touched by the generosity of spirit and love that “These people are me... I have felt alone or like no one permeated the dining room, I immersed myself in the cared about me. I’ve had hard times and somehow made Because true joy has nothing to do with me and my wants environment...listening, sharing, encouraging, laughing. it through.” Although I’d thought that I was there to do and needs or desires. I get to experience joy when I do There was plenty of food and the server crew packed up something for someone, everyone in that room helped me something for someone else without any expectation of bundles of take-away packages for those present and shut- feel a little more connected to them and to that universal something in return. It really is that simple. Yet giving with- ins who were unable to take part in the Thanksgiving meal. spirit that connects all of us. out expecting to receive is challenging to our lesser ego, And what a delicious meal it was! Roasted turkey with all that part of ourselves that seeks validation and is crushed the fixings, green beans, beets, mashed and sweet potatoes, So the next time I want to feel JOY, I know what to do... I when we don’t get it. and a special dessert of pumpkin pie and whipped cream. plan to step out of myself and do something for someone One little fellow put so much whipped cream in his cup else, just because it feels so good! In fact, I know where I’ll I was asked by a dear friend to accompany her to a church of hot chocolate that he could only manage a bite or two be this Christmas Eve! this Thanksgiving to serve meals. I did not know what to of dinner. Along with his packaged meal, I sent him home [email protected] TRANSGENDER Life as a Spork: Living My Life Like It’s Golden
| By Chris Angel Murphy
he countdown to May has begun! I’ll be good about myself. For this culmination, my grandma by taking summer school, 0 period, and community graduating with a Masters in Social Work from refused to let me go in anything other than a dress. college courses. Exhausting, but worth it. TUSC and I’ve already chosen who I want to After many arguments, I refused to go. My absence attend this special celebration. It’s the first graduation was noted. These were also the days of logging onto The reason I had met the counselor in the first ceremony I’m actually looking forward to! AOL via dial-up modem, watching my friends slowly place was because the counselor I was assigned to log on. One friend in particular messaged me to say originally was a giant bully. She belittled me and In elementary school I was forced to have long hair. I one of the teachers kept calling my name and looking told me I basically deserved all of the maltreatment I had a bright green cast from my accident-prone days, for me because I won awards and received a lot of was experiencing from peers and said I would never and the dress I was forced into was not flattering at recognition. I still have the plaque and other items, all graduate on time. My pseudo-counselor marched in all. There’s video and pictures as proof. The video of which I had to wait until summer school started to and pulled me away and I never spoke to the original is of a speech I gave about teachers being replaced pick them up from the main office. Sadness fell over counselor ever again. I went because she helped me by holograms in the future (everyone laughed) me because that was my moment. I sat and stared at get out of Taft HS, so the least I could do was give her and I proceeded to talk about how important the the screen as emotions took over. My family robbed the honor of watching me walk the stage. environment is and how resources are running out. me of my moment all over a dumb dress. This time around is different. I can wear whatever Middle school ended up being the worst. Late in my High school graduation wasn’t much different, I want and have people there who mean the world 8th grade year, teachers and staff found out about my although I had more control of what I wore by that to me, including my fellow cohorts. It feels good tech abilities and had me working on different things, point. I actually didn’t want to go at all, yet a high to celebrate all of my hard work. Plus, I think I’m such as the 8th grade events. I was making CDs, school counselor who befriended me urged me to go. kind of done with school. I’ve been going since editing audio, and doing all sorts of fun stuff. A teacher She was one of the few people who believed in me kindergarten and burnt out for now… asked me to join the 8th grade council and I felt like I and helped me graduate on time. Because I had been was part of something bigger than myself, which was in foster care, the timing of being pulled from school [email protected] wonderful. Those weren’t the best years of my life, was terrible and I lost a whole semester of credits. She so I was happy to have something to make me feel helped me figure out how to make up all of the credits
33 HOT SPOTS
| By Dian Katz, MS
ell whata ya know! It’s 2014! I tell ya, I haven’t a clue eyes.. Oh I see how you are! You don’t want to hear that one either. Ack! where the years go. One minute it’s 2000 and the next I get no respect. But seriously, Olivia offers some incredible trips with W minute it’s fourteen years later!!! It goes by in a blink some excellent well known artists from our community. Definitely, check of an eye.
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com Founded in 1983... Uptown Gay & Lesbian Alliance “In Northeast Los Angeles for good.”
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35 The Weekender TRAVEL Dogs Offer Airport Therapy Vacationing to Make a Difference | By Barbara Horngren | By Barbara Horngren
t Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), those who fear flying or are oluntourists. That’s what people are accommodations and food although, depending Astressed by traveling have therapists on called who work hard all year so they on the agency, some of the money may go to such hand, ones with wagging tails and cold noses -- V can spend their week or two of time off things as stocking clinics and schools. Other costs dogs. paying to work hard on their vacations. will include transportation to the site – airfare, perhaps – and, maybe, a rental car to sightsee when Why would people do that? “For a sense of you aren’t working). Dogs aren’t strangers to airports: For a while now satisfaction…a feeling of giving back,” said my they have been sniffing suspicious luggage for friend Betty, who has spent many of her vacations How do you find information on do-good vacations? drugs and bombs. this way. She and her sister, Barbara, and Charlie, Plugging “Volunteer Vacations” into a search Barbara’s husband, and in at least one instance, engine is one way. VolunteerMatch.Org, a national But there’s a new breed reporting for duty these another friend, Mary, have used skills they had and nonprofit that promises to connect those with causes days – dogs meant to offer a sympathetic shoulder learned new skills while repairing structures and they care about and the causes that need them is one to pet. Their job specifically is to ease the stresses working farming fields. “We refurbished one of the of the listings that turned up when I searched. To of travel, the crowds, the long lines, the terrorism first dude ranches in the U.S.,” Betty said of one of make those connections, VolunteerMatch operates anxieties. And, they are not only at LAX. They the group’s trips. a website with a database filled with opportunities. destress flyers at, among other airports, San Jose, On the site, too, is a Review tab, where former As part of that effort, they repaired log cabins. volunteers can provide feedback about their CA; Grand Rapids, MI; Reno, Buffalo, and Miami. “We already had experience with hand tools and, experience. working with log cabins, we learned to do things At LAX, therapy dogs are part of the PUP program. called “mudding” and “chinking.” Those tasks are Reviews provided by those who have done trips are a That stands for Pets Unstressing Passengers. When important in log-cabin building and repair, since they good way to check out organizations whose projects you see a dog wearing a red jacket that proclaims involve filling gaps between logs by stuffing them you are seriously considering. So, look on their “Pet Me!” feel free to walk up and do just that. with mud and twigs and wood chips as insulation websites for comments made by previous volunteers. against cold breezes. You can ask organizations for references, as well. Therapy dogs have to be healthy, skilled, stable, If you’d like to work in a park, cleaning up and well-mannered, and able to work on a slack, four- The group also has painted, repaired windows, repairing trails, check out projects planned by foot leash, according to the executive director and worked farm fields…and they’ve paid for the organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club, privilege. They’ve done their projects mostly the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Colorado Trail of Therapy Dogs, Inc., which certifies the LAX through Elderhostel, Inc., on trips that organization Foundation, and the American Hiking Society. animals. “They have to be comfortable with offered in partnership with Habitat for Humanity crowds, sounds, smells – and they need to pass and Heifer International. There are helpful books, too, including “Volunteer through security like all airport workers.” Vacations: Short-Term Adventures That Will Benefit “Road Scholar Educational Adventures” is what You and Others,” by Bill McMillon, Doug Cutchins, The dogs’ handlers are taught to watch for people Elderhostel, the not-for-profit leader in lifelong and Anne Geissinger, with a forward by Ed Asner. who fear or dislike dogs or those who might have learning, calls the projects it offers. Those projects It’s an excellent source for pointers on service- allergies. In most cases, people approach the dogs. could involve preserving coral reefs or tracking oriented travel. Another useful compendium is “The bottlenose dolphins in Belize, historic preservation 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life,” LAX has some 30 dogs in the PUP program, by doing seasonal clean-up in Virginia’s Jamestown by Pam Grout. In its review, the Boston Globe and Yorktown communities, working with Heifer advised that this book “promises a trip you’ll never including a Dalmatian, a lab-pointer mix, a International to help construct buildings at forget – and one that will make the world a better poodle, several Australian labradoodles, a spaniel, Maryland’s Heifer Global Village, and many more. place.” a Doberman, and a 150-pound Irish wolfhound named Finn who, despite his size, puts people at Habitat for Humanity partners with people in need One of the reasons Betty gives for her interest in ease. He looks them in the eye and then calmly lays to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. volunteer vacations is that making-the- down on the job, jokes Finn’s owner. The volunteers (including the families who will eventually live in the houses) provide labor. And, world-a-better-place feature. Perhaps people need a According to the director of volunteers at LAX, Heifer International supplies such animals as rock-solid impetus for a trip where you never know why people are flying. Travelers chicks and sheep and rabbits (bought by donors) might be vacationing, coming from or going to a to individuals and villages worldwide, thereby they work hard, eat on the job, and sleep in a cabin providing a food or money-making source. on a hard bed (or on the ground in a funeral, visiting a sick family member, or attending
a business meeting. But, “you can literally feel the If you’re looking for a make-a-difference vacation, sleeping bag in a tent). Betty has it; as proof, she stress levels drop and see people start smiling and you can find worldwide opportunities to use your follows that reason up with her review talking to each other” when they’re interacting with skills and talents. Besides those mentioned above, the therapy dogs. “And everybody walks away you can teach – math and conversational English are of volunteerism: “This kind of vacation is just feeling really, really good.” popular subjects, assist nurses in rural clinics, dig awesome!” for dinosaur bones…the possibilities are plentiful. [email protected] The projects cost anywhere from $50 to thousands of dollars, with those funds mainly going toward
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com ALCOHOLISM, THE THINKING DISEASE Laughter: The Best Medicine | By G-O Digilio
f a person were to walk into a recovery strength and hope with one another, all of them The general consensus is that the translation discussion group, the milieu may very well have a chance. NOW the past can be viewed as of that statement is that what it was like before Ibe roiling with laughter. The participants humorous. Now the events that drove them to was misery so I drank. What happened is that I may be discussing how much they have lost to the brink of suicide are no longer a daily threat. realized that drinking and using made “it” worse, alcoholism, how close to death they came from Maybe they have even regained the job, the so I got into recovery. What it is like now is that the drinking, how many times they were arrested spouse, the children, the house, or their freedom. my life is better and even when there are major for drug possession, or any other number of Life is better. The past is gone, at least for the troubles; I have a place to go to learn to handle catastrophic events that happen to a practicing minute. Laughter indicates relief and joy. life differently. In recovery the group is there alcoholic. The observer is frequently shocked to help one another live a better life. We bring and appalled at how the members are laughing at Laughter also promises the recovering person solutions and support to one another. We listen the misfortune of the one who is speaking. the knowledge that life can be joyous. It is to one another as we cry. We laugh with one repeated many times in recovery that they did another to make the day a little brighter. There The secret is that the other participants are not not get clean and sober to live a miserable is hope. There is a better way. laughing AT the person because of the troubles life. If nothing changes but the drinking, most expressed. They are laughing WITH the person. people would not stop drinking for very long. [email protected] If they are in recovery, they all have survived Alcoholism and addiction is a means to deal the deadly consequences of their addiction. with life’s pain. If the pain persists, the drinking They are on the road to a better life. Today and using will return. Most of the healthy they have hope. Today they are learning how recovery groups discuss what it was like before, to live a better life. By sharing their experience, what happened, and what it is like now. POETRY Resolutions By Morag Hillsinger
unplugging is the first escape you used to smoke and now you vape its time to baptize in the sea born anew to what will be
make the call daylights burnin Become a member of Outfest and receive: back to school l always time for learnin Discounts on tickets to Outfest Los Angeles, including All-Girl Friday the magic in one one fourteen l Invitations to quarterly Women’s Soirees is you create your own new scene! l Invitation to FREE sneak previews throughout year A new year and another chance to fall in love/ to For information on membership and screenings, learn to dance visit outfest.org Another day to dig down deep to your inner girl who’s been asleep
37 MARY LAMBERT | By Michele Khordoc
The Seattle-based singer-songwriter and spoken word artist recently expanded on the chorus of her marriage equality anthem releasing the very personal song, “She Keeps Me Warm,” about being in love with a woman. A self-proclaimed “Femme lesbian”, Lambert will come home to the community she is proudly and openly part of, taking the stage on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel for the grand finale of Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend’s legendary series of pool parties in Palm Springs, CA.
As one of the biggest music revelations of 2013, Lambert went from juggling several jobs to playing in front of thousands of people, touring across the country and performing live on national television.
“Same Love” has sold over a million copies in the US alone. It won the award for “Best Video with a Social Message” at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards and just received a Grammy nomination for “Song of the Year”.
There’s definitely something about Mary! And The Lesbian News caught up with music’s new “it” girl to talk about The Dinah, her music and her future projects.
Lesbian News:You’re playing The Dinah in April 2014. This is the world’s biggest lesbian festival. What does the Dinah represent for you? Mary Lambert: The Dinah is HUGE! When I was a baby gay at 17, I remember watching the L Word’s episode of the Dinah Shore Weekend, thinking to myself, “THAT IS THE HOLY GRAIL OF ALL LESBIAN THINGS”. As an adult, it represents visibility, empowerment and a darn good time.
LN:How are you preparing for your performance? What can Dinah goers expect to see? ML: I’ve been on tour since September, so I feel super prepared! I think my preparation will actually be rest! I haven’t slept in my bed in so long!! My performances involve a lot of emotions, so perhaps the prospect of me crying on stage. That’s kind of what I do.
LN:What do you look forward to seeing at the festival? ML:I saw there’s going to be a comedy night! Can’t wait.
LN:What past Dinah Headliner(s) would you love to perform with? ML:You know what…The Indigo Girls were one of the first concerts I ever saw. I was 13 years old! That would be amazing. I used to listen to their albums over and over when I was in middle school and they got me through a lot. ary Lambert has single-handedly captured the attention of the entire nation and the LGBT community with her incredible LN:Do you think it is important for the LGBT community to have events like breakout role in Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ pro-equality anthem the Dinah? Why? M ML:Definitely. There is something to be said for having safe-space when you are “Same Love”. in the gay community. If I want to hold hands with a girl in public, I normally feel
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com pressured to be conscious of everyone else’s comfort level. In an event like Dinah, you are inherently accepted for who you are, as you are and that’s a beautiful thing. Plus! Who doesn’t need a vacation in Florida?!
LN:“Same Love” won an MTV VMA Award for “best Video with a Social Message”. How do you feel about being part of a song that in a way became the soundtrack to a huge win for equal rights in America? ML:It’s an honor. It will be an honor for the rest of my life. There are no words to explain. The amount of emails I receive about having changed people’s lives is so incredibly moving and has lit this amazing fire underneath me to want to do more.
the album? ML:Not on the December EP, which is scheduled to be released December 17th but hopefully on the full-length later this year! I’ve been working with some neat people and will hopefully have some friends (old and new!) join me.
LN:On that note, what artist would you love to work with? ML:Man. Can I just write a song with Feist already?! Other than that, I’d just like some time to write a song with my mom. She’s a cool lady.
LN:Beside the new album and your Dinah performance, what else is in store for you in 2014? ML:SO MUCH STUFF. My inclination is that I will be everywhere all at once doing everything. But not sleeping.
LN:You’re a self-proclaimed “Femme Lesbian”. How important do you think it is to be out as musicians? ML:I know that being an out musician is right for me but I more value the notion of being “out” in general. It’s interesting to talk to homophobic people for that reason- they think they don’t know any gay people. I believe that being out is the most effective way to rally against homophobia. For a public figure or someone that’s in the spotlight, I imagine it’s a more difficult journey. I am pretty biased, since my break-out song is about gay marriage. I’m just about living life honestly, whether it’s in my career or otherwise.
LN:What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned over time since you started? ML:Amazing things can happen when you say exactly what you mean; when you allow yourself to be vulnerable. That goes for writing too!
LN:Can you share a little-known fact about yourself? ML:I’m a mean bartender. And I have a healthy digestive system. LN:There has been debate around certain artists tweeting about straight musicians essentially benefiting from songs about LGBT issues. How did you LN:Best singing performance EVER was in your shower or your car? feel about recording a single about gay rights together with a straight man? ML:Actually, I think I perform better when there is a lot of pressure. I like performing ML:While I understand the point nay-sayers are trying to make, it does make me in front of people. It’s about the energy, the connection. feel a little bummed out. Am I not gay enough to even be acknowledged that I wrote a major part of the song? Macklemore is an ally. His verses are written from his LN:What song you wish you had written and why? experience and his understanding of being an ally. While I think we still have a long ML:Good heavens, that’s tough. Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, Sara Bareilles’ way to go, it’s important to celebrate what steps are being taken. AND the fact a song “Gravity”, Bonnie Rait’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”, so, so many about gay rights is nominated for a Grammy. A GRAMMY. That says less about us and more about who we are, socially. LN:What word(s) you would use to describe yourself? Nurturing! Emotional! ML:Vulnerable! Exclamation Points! LN:Where does your passion for writing/singing come from? What inspires you? LN:The Dinah is celebrating its 24th Anniversary in 2014. What would your ML:I have a lot of feelings and I need to get them out or else I’ll explode. I’m also Birthday card read? really hungry for human connection and I think music is the ultimate connector. ML:”Happy Birthday, you cute cat” and then it would have a lot of pictures of cats drawn by little girls wearing tutus on Christmas day and on the inside it would read, LN:You’re releasing your first album next year. How would you describe the “You’re purrrrrrfectly wonderful!” with cat paws and rainbows all over. Mary Lambert sound to the uninitiated? ML:My sound is music and poetry intertwined with vulnerability. I am dead honest Just an idea. with all of my writing and sometimes that can go to a dark place but I think it just goes to a human place, where darkness sometimes lives. And that’s okay. For more information about Mary Lambert’s performance go to: www.TheDinah.com LN:Will there be any special collaboration with other artists featured on
39 Positive Reflections Help The World By Changing You! | By Dian Katz, MS
ometimes, we feel our dreams, desires and wishes just life? Something went wrong in their minds. Either they were are physically alive. We can be thankful for the fact it wasn’t won’t come true. When this happens, we may become truly mentally ill or they focused far too much on what they our time to go. So that’s number “one.” What else can we focus frustrated, disillusioned and very discouraged. We ask lacked in their lives. on? Do we have the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to Sourselves,L.A. “why not” GAY or “why me?”& LESBIAN When many things love, the able body and mind and so on? Get the picture? There we try don’t work, we find ourselves filled with anxious thoughts A shift in perspective can make all of the difference in the world. is plenty to be grateful for. Start a 14 day gratitude challenge. and depression. Our common sense tells us to throw in the towel, It can make us feel better and help those around us. Just the Everyday, list 3 things we are grateful for and they have to be so to speak and justBEACH forget about the thingsCENTER’S we want. However, simplest change in our thoughts can make this occur. Remember different each day. when we focus more on what we have, less on what we don’t and the glass half empty or half full idea? In other words, do we have a little faith....amazing things can happen. focus on the glass being half empty or do we focus on the glass Every time our brains start thinking about what we don’t have BEACH CLASSIC being half full? Our thoughts work the same way. We wake up or how bad things are, we gently shift to thinking about what By changing ourselves, we actually help the world. Why? in the morning and the first thing we might start focusing on is we are grateful for. What we are doing is breaking the pattern Because negativity actually breeds more negativity. However lo being angry over not having any coffee creamer in the house! Or of negative thinking. Thinking negatively is very addictive, and behold.... positivity breeds positivity. Others don’t want to we can get irritated because we have to get up to go to work! We especially if we have done it our whole lives. Perhaps we be around people who are constantly depressed, negative and have forgotten all about the idea that we have the ability to drink grew up in families where there was dysfunction and that will miserable. They want to be around those who bring them up, a cup of coffee or that we have a job to go to. definitely train us to think poorly. Now again, this doesn’t mean make them feel alive and help contribute to life. When we are we don’t really have it bad or we’re ignoring what’s really thinking and acting in a positive manner, we have a greater We didn’t learn in school how to focus on what we have. We wrong in our lives. We have every right to be angry, sad or chance of producing positive results. Good things have a way of didn’t learn the skill of training our minds to think in ways that disappointed. We just can’t stay there. We can allow ourselves manifesting themselves. There is even science within the school are good for the soul. When we haven’t practiced the skill of a certain amount of time each day to throw our tantrums and of quantum physics that proves this to be so. This is not to say we habitual positive thoughts, we will definitely get a chance with our pity parties but that’s it. We can’t dwell for hours on end. can’t get down in the dumps or must be Pollyanish all the time. life experiences. These so called life experiences can also be Perhaps we even have physical pain that robs us our moments. It just means in order to make something out of our lives and called, “wake-up calls.” Many times it takes a wake-up call to Again, we aren’t ignoring the pain. We are acknowledging the give something to the world at large, we need to stop stewing enlighten us. It’s as if a specific instance sends a bolt of energy to pain is there and we try to shift our thinking into something that and spewing with what’s wrong with everything and start acting our psyche and we suddenly “get it.” And for some, it takes more will be more effective than focusing on agony. as if everything is in perfect order. Horrible things do happen than just one specific instance. It takes a series of a-ha moments and life isn’t always fair but what we do with what happens to to get their attention and for some, they never get it! Even with the most horrible of circumstances, we still have us, IS the secret. a choice. Will we take what has happened to us and use it to So where do we start? How do we change our perspectives when better our lives? If we are spiritual in nature, we can ask that There are those who have had horrible childhoods or severe we are in emotional and/or physical pain? How do we focus on a greater being help us. We can “turn it over” so to speak to disabilities and are still able to be happy and contribute what’s good when we are feeling so awful? Is it really our fault this greater power. Having faith and trust that something will something remarkable to life. Then there are those who have it that we didn’t get the girl, the job, the dream? The bottom line is, help us is an amazing way to make a shift in our perspective. It all and are still miserable. Haven’t we heard of the celebrities let’s stop focusing on the fact that we didn’t get the girl, the job keeps us from trying to control everything and everyone. Try who seem to have everything but are either strung out on drugs or the dream. Let’s start focusing on what’s good in our lives. If it! Have a little faith and see what happens..... or have overdosed or committed suicide? We ask ourselves, how we can’t come up with anything, there is one thing where most could this have happened to them when they had everything in of us can agree on with gratitude.. We woke up this morning! We [email protected] Subscribe To Lesbian News NOW Subscribe to Lesbian News on your iPad & iPhone and access the magazine as well as LN digital extras each month.
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Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com FEMASTROLOGY | By Victoria Bearden January Sun Sign Profile: Capricorn (December 22-January 19)
ardinal Sign Capricorn has leadership ability. Aries (March 21-April 19) Strong energy Libra (September 23-October 22) They are good at “getting the ball rolling.” Sometimes it makes them feel like they are pushes and pulls you. You are getting the Cardinal Signs may be making feel like the boss of everything, which is why fellow Green Light for movement forward in career you are stuck in quicksand, but you aren’t. CCardinal Signs Aries, Cancer, Libra often butt heads and life direction. Mars in Libra is presently Mars in Libra will help you get the lead out, with them. Capricorns are known to butt heads with just about everyone, actually. I mean hey, we have horns. With some aggravation, and some challenges but you might need a little kick start to get Capricorns, head butting isn’t just a pastime, however. along the way. Stay calm and be progressive. moving. Don’t get side-tracked my family Most everything Capricorns do is for a reason and the Channel anger into positive action! drama, as there might be plenty of it. reason is usually because they want something.
Those born under the sign of the Goat Fish are definitely Taurus (April 20-May 20) You benefit Scorpio (October 23-Novemeber 21) workers. This is usually a good thing, unless they are from earthy and watery influences now. The environment is extremely positive working themselves to death, working on dead end paths, or squelching everyone else’s enthusiasm but not ever Your strength improves. Your motivation for connecting with helpful people. Take taking a break. increases! This is a great time to travel, study, advantage of all opportunities offered. Get tend to legal matters, and get the “big picture” past your homebody tendencies and engage But when Capricorns let their hair down they can be a lot of fun (really.) Although ruling planet Saturn can make of what you want this year. Think big and with the world around you. Good things them very serious, some Capricorns really know how to create more harmony in your world. will come of it, personally, and possibly party, if they let themselves. Many Corns actually possess financially. Social interaction is highlighted. a darkly sexy side, sort of an earthy version of Scorpio. Capricorn Sexual Fantasy: crazy hot sex in the office, like Gemini (May 21-June 20) The abundance all those scenes in the movies…some clothes still on, of of earth and water may make you feel a bit Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) course. confined, but never mind that. Mars in Libra This is a transformative period for you.
They have endurance, fortitude, focus and practical will provide wind in your sails. This is a good Time to get body, mind, and spirit working creativity. And they are often quite deep. After all, Saturn time to pursue joint ventures, finish up old in harmony. Attend to priorities. Focus on is linked to old age, and the symbol of the ancient Wise business, and tune in to your inner truth. Clear creating stability. And take stock of finances. Woman or Tai Chi Master is a very Capricorn image. How do you like them apples, Grasshopper? So, if you love the path and remove yourself from situations You’ll be glad you did by month’s end. a Capricorn, remember to indulge their need to be the that no longer support you. “teacher” sometimes, unless they are simply being bossy Capricorn (December 22-January 19) and annoying. And if you are a Capricorn, remember to aspire to the heights of your potential, keep your feet on Cancer (June 21-July 21) Amazing Many things are possible now. You may the ground, be at one with the wisdom of the ancestors, things are possible in relationship now! be a touch battle weary from all the changes and be happy to be a Goat! Team up with the right people and your work you’ve been through, but your efforts should
Capricorn gets along with fellow Earth Signs Taurus will rocket forward. There is great benefit prove rewarding this month. Ask people for and Virgo, but might lock horns with another Cap. They now, but considerable tension, as others may exactly what you want and don’t assume they are often fascinated with the fiery strength of Aries and be jealously clawing at you for attention. already know. Leo, but control battles almost always ensue. Goats and Sagittarians often have planets in common which Don’t put energy into people who don’t is fun, until they start to argue. The intelligence Air deserve you. Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Signs intrigues Cap, but their changeable nature can be Time to tune in to yourself, and tune out confusing. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces add much needed emotional nurturing and in turn, benefit from Capricorns Leo (July 23-August 22) Uranus in Aries the noise and static from others. Pay attention structure, stability, and devotion. spurs you on to new changes; Mars in to your own deep inner needs. Bring a calm Libra energizes your ideas and opens up and quiet vibration into your daily world. Femastrology Horoscopes for January 2014 people connections. The only problem is, Think Zen. For all the Sun Signs: 2014 will have a similar intensity you need to find ways to balance your health level to 2012 and 2013, as Uranus and Pluto will still and harmonize your daily routine. If you do, Pisces (February 19-March 20) Resist be battling it out and there’s considerable drama with other planets joining the fray. But it’s also the Year of the you’ll have way more fun, and less sick days! the tendency to drift into fantasyland Green Wood Horse, which is very positive and energizing. and make friends with reality! This is an We are all still going through what many astrologers Virgo (August 23-September 22) important time to be around positive, active call Evolution through Crisis. But we are evolving! Individuals and societies often grow the most during Planetary energy is definitely on your people. They will help you reach your goals. stressful periods…because they must! Let go of dead side now, and there’s lots of potential in the wood, make a conscious choice to embrace goodness, creative arena, and the romance department. for yourself and for others, and move with your energy. Don’t just think about things, do something. Challenge = Don’t worry so much. Just do it! You’ll kick Opportunity for Growth and Change! Astro-Opportunity yourself later if you don’t take advantage of Days: January 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 15, 19, 26, 27. current opportunites!
41 Words That make sense Getting The Most Out Of The New Year | By Toni Hart
ven the numbers in the NewYear 2+0+1+4 add tions is the key. If we always take a dour or down 24/7 frown on my face but “doom & gloom” were up to one lucky number - 7! The New Year’s attitude to things in our life, that’s what we’re going my only conversation topics. And..the more I Ehardly begun and we already know it has the to get - zip! It may sound like something you’ve “gloomed,” the worse my situation became until I chance of being a very fortunate one for us all. What heard but fresh and new ideas are cut off at the knees felt there was no way out. As luck would have it, we make of it individually is up to each one of us. when we’re always viewing our life as a downer. a stranger passed my way one day. As I proceeded Even if things aren’t going as we want, we need to to moan and groan about my dilemma, the stranger The very first thing we have to do is to get that pout look for that “rainbow” on the horizon, or at least be listened and then asked me if I would do something or frown right off our faces. Enough with the “Gee - expecting it to appear any moment. without asking why. I agreed. She then proceeded it seems like last New Year’s was only yesterday.” It to tell me about the power of positive thinking and wasn’t. It was a whole year ago and no matter how A positive attitude works in most situations. Not asked if I would try it. Well, to make a long story you managed to get through 2013, let’s make this a only that but people like to be around us. We make short, I did. Things didn’t change overnight but better year. them feel good. Of course, we realize there are slowly they began to move in the right direction and plenty folks out there who may not be doing as well my life took a complete turnabout. That’s the great thing about New Year’s. We always as desired. So here’s the secret.... a good or happy have a fresh slate on which to work to improve our- attitude is Contagious.” It’s catching! When someone I never saw that stranger again but I will be eternally selves and our life. Even if times are good, we can is giving us a “HUG” or sharing a big smile....we grateful to her as I go through life sharing my smile, always make them better. If they aren’t so good, then can’t help but feel better. a joke and a laugh or two with others I meet. there’s room for improvement. I’m not saying this is always going to be easy. [email protected] The two “Key Points” are “attitude” and “gratitude.” Sometimes it’s going to be damn hard. But, my Yes, down deep we know that but we constantly dears, it works and that’s all we have to know. I have to remind ourselves that attitude and gratitude know, because I’ve been there. Awhile back, things ARE critical to our success. How we look at situa- couldn’t have been worse. Not only was there a LIFE COACH’S CORNER Five Steps to Your Life Purpose | By Kristi Pallino
f you’re tired, bored and feeling like nothing but the rest of the time, fuel up on healthy food to give asking. There are so many ways to meditate. Do the is really moving in your life, read these life- you the energy to implement all these wonderful changes. research, find one that resonates with you, and make it a Ichanging steps and change your life forever! Food can kill you, or food can heal you! daily practice. Imagine yourself living your vision – close your eyes and 3) Exercise! Speed walking, hiking, gym, yoga, Affirmations help spark gratitude for being alive –for get a feel for it. Now hold on to that feeling and let’s begin. swimming, biking, dancing, canoeing, horseback riding, breathing, for having a body to work with, for having a lifting weights, cardio... This is a big list of great ways to mind to make choices. Every day remind yourself that you 1) Change the way you think! Your thoughts are what got get your heart pumping, 3-6 days a week. Each month are an amazing, powerful, beautiful and intelligent being! you this far, but you deserve to go a whole lot further. Put challenge yourself to more intensity. Exercise helps your new powerful thoughts on the forefront of your mind decrease some forms of depression, anxiety, stress, anger, The only way you’re going to get the results is if YOU with empowering words such as; I can, I will, I am. and is great for feeling and looking your best! implement these steps. I invite you to accept this challenge so you may stand taller, glow brighter, create with ease, Say YES to things that feel emotionally good; say NO to 4) Inward time! Read a great book that will teach you attract the things and people you enjoy, have more clarity things that are not supporting you. Take these words out how to expand your way of thinking and being. Marianne when planning your life, and most of all, be extremely of your vocabulary: I can’t, I’ve tried and nothing works, Williamson’s “A Return to Love,” David Hawkins’ proud of your accomplishments! I can’t afford it, I don’t have any money, I hate..., Also take “Power vs. Force,” Deepak Chopra’s “Seven Spiritual gossiping, complaining and any other form of destruction Laws,” Eckhart Tolle’s “Power of Now,” Don Miguel Happy New Year, Happy New You! I love you and I will from your vocabulary. This adjustment alone will improve Ruiz’ “The Four Agreements” – these are some powerful be rooting for you! Your sister and Life Coach, Kristi your life! books that will support your new path. [email protected] 2) Change the way you eat! Eat for the vitamins and 5) Meditation/Affirmation! Calm your mind, so you are nutrients. It’s OK to have your favorite foods once a week, able to hear the answers to the questions you have been
Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com TWO MOTHERS – Germany – Director, Anne Zohra Berrached
REACHING FOR THE MOON – Brazil - Director, Bruno Barreto
Enjoy a great line-up of LGBT films, including our annual celebration of diversity in cinema, the GAY!La screenings - for HIM and for HER - and party! Palm Springs International Film Festival features eleven unforgettable days of screenings, tributes and special events in the gorgeous desert setting of Palm Springs. With more than 185 films from over 70 different countries, it’s a singular celebration of the best of international and American cinema. Box Office Opens December 26, 2013 Special hotel rates available at psfilmfest.org/participate/travel/
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is a proud sponsor of the Palm Springs International Film Festival43 Lesbian News Magazine | January 2014 | www.LesbianNews.com