gsraz

Women's Community Connection
March 2011
The only exclusively
lesbian-oriented
publication in the
Phoenix area
Roe v. Wade – Across the raging waters
BY Dianne Post
The Scottsdale/Phoenix NOW held a panel discussion on Saturday,
22 January 2011 in celebration of the Roe v. Wade decision made 38 years
ago. For those who don’t remember, abortion was illegal starting in the 1950s.
Some of us remember taking our friends to back alley abortions, sitting in the car
praying they would not die. Some of us remember being refused tubal ligations
because we were only 22, and the male doctors insisted we would change our
mind about wanting to have children. Nope.
But it seems that too many women have forgotten or don’t even know
about those days. Not too long ago I called an abortion clinic to line up a
speaker for that event and the young woman who answered the phone didn’t
know what Roe v. Wade was or even what NOW is. Those who don’t learn
our history are doomed to repeat it, and if the fanatic right has their way, and
they are working very hard at it both in DC and Arizona, women will soon be
in back alleys being butchered rather than having safe and legal health care.
Dr. Paul Isaacson was the first speaker at the panel. He was 14 when
Roe v. Wade was decided and went to medical school in the 80s. He decided early to be an OB GYN and at that time, abortion was not marginalized
as it is today. His first experience was a pulmonary hypertension case like the
woman in St. Joseph’s that the Catholic bishop urged to let die. The risk of
death in these cases is more than 90% and in his case, the woman died.
For some extra money in his fourth year, he volunteered at an abortion
clinic – where John Salvi burst in and shot and killed a 21-year-old receptionist. He, like the shooter in Tucson, had mental health problems and all the religious talk against abortion sent him over the edge.
The doctor’s first experience in Arizona was an OB GYN practice in
Chandler, and when he asked, where do we send women who need abortions,
they told him, we don’t do it and we don’t know. I guess send them to
Planned Parenthood. An OB GYN practice that doescontinued on page 2
In This Issue
WCC Theatre Club….
pages 4, 5, 30, 31, 34
E-mail groups...pages 6-8
Sports...pages 10-11
Dining Out...pages 12-13
Ms. Knowitall...page 14
1VCC...page16
Paula G….page 18
Amazon Trail...page 19
Spirituality...pages 20-21
Support Groups
...pages 24-26
Meetups...page 27
Book Reviews...page 29
Classifieds...page 40
2
Roe VS. Wade
continued from page 1
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
n’t even know where to send women who
Many thanks to all of you who participated in
need abortions is not giving full medical
the Lesbian Social Network’s Singles Night with Excare to its patients.
press Match Dating, on February 11th. We had 23
He and his spouse then started
participants, and a total of 84 matches. I’m always
their own clinic. The restrictions on abortion
amazed at how enthusiastically the women take to the
today, especially the 24 hour waiting pechallenge of meeting every other woman, for a total of two minutes each.
riod, cause not only practical problems for
They go at it with gusto! It’s even fun to just watch - like a giant game of
the woman, but deny the woman the full
really noisy musical chairs. We always have a few spectators. After the dating
range of medical care and deny the doctor
round is over, most hang around to get to know some of their picks a little
the right to treat his/her patient. The law
better. We encourage participants to choose women who they've clicked with
dictates what doctors must say to their pafor whatever reason, be it potential date or new friend. In the days after, my
tients, which is quite ironic as the original
volunteers and I tally all the matches and send out the results.
Roe v. Wade decision and the accompanyIf you’ve never tried Express Match Dating, make plans to attend the
ing Doe v. Bolton were very strongly docnext one. It will be announced in this publication, and on the e-mail lists, etc.
tor’s rights cases. That too has been whitRight now I’m thinking that we should go to running it twice a year, in Februtled away over the last thirty-eight years.
ary and in August. I’ll keep you posted. And to all of you who took part in
The fanatic right doesn’t want the governthe event, enjoy your dates/new friends!
ment telling us what to do unless it’s telling
women what they can do.
Since the Republicans have taken over the House in
nightmares and has resulted in only one week training. Dr.
DC, they have been very busy not dealing with the economic
Isaacson had 12 weeks training when he was a resident. Such
crisis or loss of jobs or foreclosure mess – no – they are busy
is the quality of health care women get.
repealing health care and introducing laws that would further
The second panelist was Arjela Gomez, a community
restrict women’s rights. And in Arizona, they have introactivist. She spoke of her own inability to get a tubal ligation
duced two bills that would prohibit abortion for sex and race
and how teens on probation had to get the permission of a
selection. Who could be against that? No one, but there is
judge to get an abortion in the 1990s in rural Superior, Arino way to enforce it and it is just one more nail in the coffin
zona and it was much easier than now. As a businesswoman
of abortion.
working on a land deal in Maryvale, she discovered a clause
Remember the ballyhoo during the health care debate
in the contract that prohibited the tenants from discussing
about women having to get private insurance for abortion.
abortion or substance abuse. Since that is what the group did,
Most insurance companies don’t offer it and most abortion
the deal was off. But the deal had been worked on for sevproviders don’t accept it. Why? A 22-week abortion for a
eral years by different men and none noticed it.
fetal anomaly or to save the life or health of the mother costs
The third panelist discussed growing up in Mexico
$2200. Aetna pays $200. While they won’t pay for the
and that the concept of abortion was not even on the agenda.
abortion, they will pay for the fetus to be born, spend two
No one even knew of it or the thought of the idea of it.
days in the neo-natal intensive care unit and die for a cost of
The truth is that one woman in three has had an abornearly half a million dollars. It’s not hard to tell whose intertion. It is past time to end the silence about it and treat it
ests are being protected here - not the woman or the fetus.
like the simple medical procedure it is. That is how it is
Today abortion training is not even offered in OB
treated in most European countries and countries where they
GYN residency, and that was such a problem in Phoenix that
have decent health care. The abstinence only school curricula
the accreditation unit refused to accredit the program. Behas done great damage to girls and has been proven to be
cause the Catholic hospitals wouldn’t allow it and the County
ineffective. Teen pregnancy is medically dangerous for both
won’t pay for it, the training for abortion had to be outthe girl and the potential child and often results in negative
sourced to a private provider. It causes all sort of bureaucratic
social outcomes in terms as well. But
continued on page 29
3
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Send the Tea Party back to Wonderland
By JJ Esplin
Watermelons are green on the outside and Commie red on the inside.
That’s the new Tea Party slur for people who are interested in preserving the
environment. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. The Soviet Union collapsed 20 years ago
this year. The Chinese are moving into becoming the world’s leading capitalists. And
neither one of those leading Communist countries has had a very good environmental
record. So, what is the connection between environmentalism and Communism?
Frankly, like so much of the slogans and propaganda put out by the Tea Party, it just
doesn’t really make sense. It’s just kind of a knee-jerk thing. If someone disagrees with
you, pull out a slur from the 1950s and stick it on them.
Recently, I went to protest at a Tea Party rally. The first thing I noticed is that
a lot of the Tea Partiers aren’t very good at making signs. The print on their signs is too
small and there are too many words for easy reading. If you can’t read a protest sign at
a glance, it is really worthless. Even Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church goons get
that. But apparently a lot of the Tea Partiers don’t.
My sign said, “Yes to Education Funding.” Short, concise and to the point.
While I was standing there, a man came up and asked me, “What did Paul Revere say
when he left Boston?” Now maybe I’m a little slow, but the fact that he had a big
grin on his face and the fact the question was a total non sequitur made me think he
was telling me a joke. So I said, “I don’t know. What did he say?” I was expecting a
punch line. He walked away and when he was about five yards from me he turned
and said, “See. What has your education gotten you?” This is the kind of high level
logic you get at a Tea Party rally. The fact that I didn’t get his question proved that
education is worthless and we shouldn’t fund it. Go figure.
I did find it interesting that their big snake sculpture was shaped exactly like
the Pagan horned god. (They like to use the snake and the “Don’t Tread on Me”
slogan from the Revolution as one of their symbols.) This is something I’m sure these
good Christians had no idea about. (There were crosses everywhere.) If my questioner
hadn’t walked away so quickly I’d have asked him why the centerpiece of their rally
looked just like a Pagan god.
After the rally we went inside the Capital where several Tea Party organizations from throughout the state had set up tables attempting to draw recruits. To be
honest, I didn’t see a big rush of people signing up for membership. About 50 percent of the people hanging around the tables were from our counter protest.
One of the tables had two giant copies of the Declaration of Independence.
In the margins there were signatures of members of their Tea Party group. Now this is
one of the fine historical distinctions that the Tea Party doesn’t get. The Declaration of
Independence is a historical document in the same way as the Magna Carta or Martin
Luther’s theses are historical documents. It is not a law. The Constitution is a law. It
was passed by a legislative body. The Declaration of Independence was not. And by
the way, while the Declaration of Independence uses the word “God,” the writers of
the Constitution managed to write the whole, quite considerable document without
ever using that word. They refer to religion but they never state the word God. At
any rate, I have noticed that Tea Partiers apparently have no clue that the Declaration
of Independence is not a law.
continued on page 14
4
Arizona
Theatre
Company
Presents
10 Chimneys
Feb 17 - March 6
Herberger Theatre
Center
222 E. Monroe,
Phoenix
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Box
Office, in person, or by phone at
602-256-6995
Click here for dates & times of
performances, or to purchase
your tickets online
In this lavish world premiere comedy, we discover what every
Broadway star already knows – that the real drama on stage happens
when the curtain is down. It is the late 1930s, and Alfred Lunt and
Lynn Fontanne, the two most revered stars of the Broadway stage, have
decided to perform Chekhov's masterpiece The Sea Gull. But first they
must retreat to ‘investigate' the play at Ten Chimneys, their legendary
Wisconsin estate, where they are surrounded by actors, family and
hangers-on. When a young actress named Uta Hagen arrives, a romantic triangle begins to mirror the events in Chekhov's play about passion
and art. The result is a funny, poignant and revealing look at the private
lives of great artists who never really leave the stage. Ten Chimneys is a
world premiere by Jeffrey Hatcher, award-winning author of ATC's Dr.
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Ella and Tuesdays with Morrie.
About the WCC Theatre Club
I can’t think of a more enjoyable evening out than
attending live theatre, and with that in mind, and hoping you
feel the same way, I’ve created the Women’s Community
Connection Theatre Club. All you have to do to join is show
up!
Yes, it is that simple! Here’s how it works: the
WCC and friends go to the theatre often. When we’ve
scheduled attending a play, I’ll announce the date we’re going, and other pertinent information here in the WCC (and on
the WCC website), so if anyone would also like to attend
that particular production, they’ll know which night they can
see the play, and run into lots of lesbians at the same time!
Some theatres have assigned seating, so it’s not possible to sit as a group, but Stray Cat and Nearly Naked theatre
companies are general seating
Sometimes I manage to negotiate a special deal for
WCC readers: details will be included with the details of
each particular play. The deals are not the same for the different theatre companies, so make sure you’re reading the right
one. If you decide to take advantage of these special deals,
you can use them for any performance; you don’t have to go
on the date I specify as WCC Theatre Night.
5
Actors Theatre
presents
Andy Warhol:
Good for the Jews?
March 4 - 20
Herberger Theatre Center
222 E. Monroe, Phoenix
Performances
Fridays & Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Thursdays & Wednesday: 7:00 PM
Sundays: 2:00 PM
Click here for tickets
WCC Theatre Night:
Saturday, March 5th
In 1980, Andy Warhol opened an exhibit of 10
silk-screen portraits of famous Jews from the 20th century.
They were not, shall we say, well received. Thirty-one
years later, comic storyteller Josh Kornbluth is commissioned to write a play about the once controversial exhibit. An irreverent mix of autobiography, music, philosophy and improvisation; Andy Warhol: Good for the
Jews? is one man's wide-ranging meditation on art and
religion and how the discovery of his own "Jewishness"
began with an Andy Warhol exhibition.
Special Offer to WCC Readers
from Actors Theatre:
If you purchase your tickets by
phone from the Herberger Box Office
(602.252.8497), and mention “The
WCC Discount,” you’ll receive $10.00
off your ticket price! This discount is good
for any performance.
6
E-MAIL GROUPS
The WCC E-Mail Club
Lilith’s Voice E-mail list
Imagine an e-mail list whose
objective would be to discuss feminist,
lesbian and women's issues in an
interesting, communicative, respectful and
intelligent manner without regard to one
path of idea or another. This would not
be a list for everyone, as one must be
quick witted and willing to have their
thoughts provoked!
Look no further!! Be prepared
to have your brain be entertained,
enlivened and cajoled while doing the
same to others. One liners and diatribes
are always welcome!
Send subscription request to:
[email protected]
Arizona Lesbian List
Wild and
crazy e-mailers
listen up! For
those who love
mail, and want to
get out and meet
others, check out
the Arizona
Lesbian List
(azles). There are no rules, no forms of
decorum to be observed; the only rule is
that there will be NO RULES on this
list! It is for LESBIANS In ARIZONA.
Home page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azles
Subscribe:
[email protected]
Connect with other WCC members online! Join our
e-mail club and message board so you can get the latest event
updates and last minute announcements that didn’t make the
print newsletter’s deadline. The WCC e-mail club will function
as a supplement to the webzine. Use this space to discuss or
ask questions about events you've read about in the WCC, tell
us what you'd like to see in our publication, write letters to the
editor, get to know other WCC members, or anything else!
You can get to the e-mail group from our website at
www.womenscommunityconnection.com. Click on the e-mail club button, which will
take you to the group’s home page, and follow the instructions to join.
Are you sick of lesbian email lists that give you a cramp in your delete finger? Do you come home from a hard day's work to find your e-mail box inundated
with mindless drivel and one-liners?
Join us at S.C.A.M.P. Our membership abides by strict posting rules in
order to keep the quality of the conversation UP, and the mindless emails OUT! If
you are a bright, charming, witty, confident, lesbian moping around in that lonely,
pathetic headspace, wondering if you'll ever meet anyone like yourself, look no further! At S.C.A.M.P. you will connect with women of substance. Just visit our
website at http://azscamp.com , and IF you're intelligent enough to make it through
the subscription process, you can join over 350 "local" lesbians (both single and
coupled) for fun, friendship, stimulating conversation, and who knows WHAT else!!
AZ Unity in Community
Arizona Unity in Community (AZUIC) is an e-mail list with open
membership for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered people in Phoenix and
the rest of AZ.
The purpose of the list is to promote unity and communication within the
WHOLE community, developing friendships and focusing on our similarities while
becoming better educated about our differences. E-mail [email protected] for
more information.
7
Singles group
This is a place for single
and available lesbian women to connect. A safe haven in which
to chat, plan social events, make friends, arrange personal
meetings, or to exchange e-mail addresses for a more one on
one converging of the minds. And perhaps meet that someone
that will rock your world. Singles only please. This list can only
work through participation. Let's date!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azsinglelesbians/
Trailer Park
Lezbos
Calling all real, downto-earth lesbians in the Phoenix
area! If you like to cut loose,
laugh loud, tell dirty jokes,
swear a lot, and sit around and BS with your sisters, come to
the trailer park!
We are some laid back women who don't give a damn
about showing off or making an impression. We just like to
have fun -- whether it's shooting pool, playing darts, camping in
the woods, hiking to a swimming hole, fishing, wheeling, taking
the boat for a spin on the lake, or just charring some meat on
the grill. Yes, we eat meat! We also drink, some of us even
smoke, and we act like fools if we want to.
However, just because we're called "trailer park lezbos," don't assume we're trashy! Though we can be loud and a
little crude, we're actually some classy broads when it comes to
honesty, Home page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trailer_park_lezbos/
AZ GLBT Puppy Park Pack
The West Valley Lesbian
Clique
The West Valley Lesbian Clique is a group of women
who live on the west side of the Phoenix Metro area.
We share who we are and what is happening with us. We
encourage each other through all of life's ups and downs. We
meet several times a month at various gatherings, sharing laughter and our lives. Lesbians from other parts of the valley are
welcome to join if they know how to not take themselves (or
us) too seriously! If you'd like to be part of our group, sign on
at: [email protected]
Talent Doesn't
Belong in the
Closet
OUT Arts Alliance is a
Phoenix Metro group of GLBT artists and creative people.
The group is open to those who participate in all forms of creative endeavor. Painters, dancers, sculptures, writers, actors,
poets, photographers and singers are a few of the talents found
at OUT Arts. Our primary objective is uniting artists in the
GLBT community. Through meetings, outings and events, we
network, socialize and encourage the creative effort in us all.
To join, visit our website at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
OUT_Arts_Alliance/join.
MORE E-MAIL GROUPS ON
NEXT PAGE
This group was started for people who would like to find other Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgendered (GLBT) dog lovers throughout the Valley. The purpose of this group is to meet other
animal lovers and their pups! We would like to set up park gatherings during a cooler time of day,
which would be comfortable not only for the pups, but also for their owners. Please feel free to set
up gatherings anytime as we understand that members are in both the West and East Valley. Let's
take advantage of some of the most recognized dog parks in the nation! We can't wait to meet your
pride and joy.
Yahoo group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/arizona_glbt_puppy_park_pack/
To join: [email protected]
8
East Side Women’s Connection e-mail group
This is an e-mail list and social planner for Arizona lesbian women who live on the east side of the
valley, i.e. Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gold Canyon etc. Though this group is geared to bringing a social connection to the gay community on the far east side of the valley, all women in the community are welcomed.
Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eastsidewomensconnection
Subscribe: [email protected]
Womyn’s Night Out
WOMYNS NIGHT OUT meets once a month, at 6:00 PM on the 3rd Sat of the
month at different restaurants in the Phoenix area. Join us for a night of fun, laughter and networking.
This group is open to All WOMYN (straight, gay, bi, Trans).
If you are looking for something that is different from the bars and not looking for a pick up,
come and join us for a night of good conversation.
Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WomynsNightOut
WREN
WREN is a PRIVATE, MEMBERS ONLY email list created for sharing communications
about recreational activities and entertainment type events and networking for women in the greater
Phoenix metropolitan area which are planned, hosted, or referred to the group by members of this
list. Our main focus is outdoor hiking and trips, but we are not limited to this.
This Group Charter will be to post only messages for recreational activities and entertainment type event announcements
to members of this group. Please do not cross-post our messages to other group lists.
Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WREN_E-List_AZ
Subscribe: [email protected]
East Valley Sunday Coffee Gathering
This is a lesbian event group, that hosts a Sunday coffee gathering at different
locations within the East Valley of Phoenix. The purpose of this site it to post events,
gatherings, and social occasions that other members may wish to participate in. Postings
do not require approval, because this is about the people in the group. This group is
about new and interesting places. but make sure they can accommodate our group. Lets
see how this works, and we will make changes as we need to!
To subscribe: [email protected]
Amazondotmoms
Azlesbiansbadabing
A Lesbian mothers group based in
Phoenix, Arizona.
To subscribe, send an e-mail to
[email protected]
This group is for women who enjoy the company of
other women.The focus of this group to post new events, keep
intouch , meet new friends, and have fun doing it !
Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Phoenix Dykes on Quads
to ride with? Know of a cool trail? Need to find new trails?
Join our e-mail list and come ride the Arizona desert!
Have a quad or dirt bike? Looking for other women
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phxdykesonquads
9
Become a Member of the
Lesbian Social Network
Rates
1 year: $100.00
6 months: $60.00
3 Months: $35.00
Admittance:
Non-members: $5.00
Members: FREE!!
One Voice Community Center
725 W Indian School Road, Ste#125, Phoenix
For more information, e-mail
[email protected]
www.BestOnlineMall.Biz
10
SPORTS
Cactus City Softball League
The Cactus Cities Softball League (CCSL) provides a non-profit adult slow-pitch softball league predominately for gays, lesbians, and anyone dedicated to the promotion of the amateur athletic experience for persons of all
skill levels and abilities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, creed, religion, or national origin.
For more information, our web site at www.cactuscities.com.
AZ Gay Volleyball
The AZGV is actively seeking women to
come out and play!
AZGV, a Non-Profit Arizona Corporation, offers and organizes 3 levels
of Outdoor Sand Volleyball Play: Recreational, Intermediate & Advanced.
All Games are played at Steele Indian School Park, Central Avenue &
Indian School Road, in Downtown Phoenix or at The Radisson Hotel City Center,
located on 2nd Avenue just north of Osborn Road..
The purpose of Arizona Gay Volleyball Association is to foster local, regional, national and international sports competition predominately for gays, lesbians
and anyone dedicated to promotion of the amateur athletic experience for persons
of all skill level and abilities regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race, creed,
religion or national origin. The primary focus of Arizona Gay Volleyball Association
will be to provide venues for adult volleyball competition. Additionally, the organization will endeavor to develop people of all abilities and experience to participate
in sports competitions.
For more information, visit http://www.azgv.org, or e-mail [email protected].
Golfers
Come
join Sunday
Women
Golfers for a
relaxing and fun
game of golf.
We play around the valley on the
first Sunday of each month.
Visit our web site at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
sundaywomensgolf for more
information.
Gay Sportbike Riders of Arizona
The Gay Sportbike Riders of Arizona is
for gay, lesbian, bi-, and straight sportbike riders
and other biker enthusiasts in Arizona, but there
are all types of bikes and everyone is welcome.
The only requirements are that you are 18 or over
and love to ride. There are a lot of sportbikes
who like to ride in the front and cruiser type bikes who like to ride slower, but we
all get to the same point and have a nice meal.
We have both scheduled and unscheduled rides and they are all posted on
our web board. The web site includes a list of planned rides.
For more information: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/gsraz/
Frontrunners is a gay and
lesbian walking and running group
designed to promote health and
fitness in the gay & lesbian community. For more information, visit
Frontrunners web page at http://
www.eteamz.com/azfrontrunners/
news/.
11
Gay and Lesbian Association of Darts
(GLAD)
Lesbian bowling
The Gay and Lesbian
Association of Darts
(G.L.A.D.) is the only Phoenix
area gay and lesbian dart league
that gives back to the community.
Founded in 1989, our joint
purpose is to unite the GLBT
community and raise money for
charity.
We have two regular seasons each year: Winter/Spring
and Summer/Fall. A team roster consists of five members, with
two substitutes. Dues are $5.00 per week with 51% of all
money raised going to three local charities. In our history, the
dart league has raised and donated more than $500,000.00
to local charities. .
Tuesday evening's play consists of five individual games
of 301, two games of team 501, and two games of team
Cricket. Individual awards are given to players who have thrown
a "Hat Trick," a "3 in a Bed," a "White Horse," or a "6 Dart
Out."
For more information, visit our website: http://
the premier lesbian bowling league
in the Phoenix metro area. We
bowl during the fall/winter season
on Wednesday nights at AMF
Glendale Lanes located at the
southwest corner of 43rd Ave.
and Dunlap/Olive in Glendale,
AZ. We meet at 6:15PM for practice, then 6:30PM to
start league bowling. There is still room for individual bowlers, couples or full teams of four women.
Call AMF Glendale Lanes at 623-931-3785
and ask for info about joining League Of Our Own. You
League Of Our Own is
can visit out website at http://www.league-of-ourown.com/ or e-mail [email protected].
www.gladphxaz.org/
Phoenix
Dykes on
Bikes
We are a group of
women who share the common passion of motorcycle riding.
Our diverse range of members illustrates the openness of our
community. Some members genderbend and some of our founding members enjoy the Leather lifestyle as reflected in our logo.
However, what unifies our group and is the driving force behind
the fun we have, is the love of motorcycles.
This group includes but is not limited to butch, femme,
androgynous, jock, transgendered, transsexual, intersexual, gender bending women who relish the fun and freedom of the wind
in their hair or rushing over their helmet. The motorcycle and the
ride unite us all in a common bond. Whether you are a beginner
or experienced rider, all dykes are welcome here.
It doesn't matter what you ride as long as you ride!!
Visit our website: http://phoenixdykesonbikes.org
The Phoenix Sunfish is a (mostly) Gay/Lesbian/
Bisexual/Transgender (GLBT) masters swim team in
Phoenix, AZ. We always welcome new swimmers, and
we encourage everyone to join us - gay, lesbian, bisexual
and straight.
Our members participate on our team to have
fun, to meet people and make new friends, for exercise
and improved fitness, to improve swimming technique,
and to compete in swim meets.
Desert Hearts Motorcycle Club
Desert Hearts Motorcycle Club is a woman only
riding club founded in 1991. We ride the gorgeous state
of Arizona, following the rules of the road, respecting and
enjoying the company of the other members. Our rides
are mostly day trips, typically on a Saturday or Sunday.
E-mail us at [email protected], to join
us on any rides or to get more information on how you
too can be part of our club, or visit our web site at
http://www.desertheartsmc.com/
12
DINING OUT
Central Phx Coffee Klatch
Westside coffee group
Join us at Bitzee Mama’s, on
58th Avenue, 1 block north of Glendale Ave, in historic downtown Glendale, every Sunday at 10am. Contact
Ilese at: [email protected]
Women’s Community Potluck
Pat McGee’s January potluck
will be on Saturday, March 19th, at
6:00 PM.
Bring table service, a dish to
share, your drinks, and have some fun.
Call Pat for directions and information at
623-9722471.
Midtown Gay Women’s
Potluck
Join us the
1st Saturday of every
month, at 1:00 PM,
at the Church of the
Beatitudes, SE corner
of Glendale and 7th
Ave, for food, fun, and chitchat!
There will be signs directing
you to the location at the church.
Bring a dish to share, a beverage, plate, and silverware.
All adult gay women are welcome.
For more information, contact
Jean at 602-544-8444, or Pat ,
602-595-9112.
Meets the 1st and 3rd Sundays, 10:00 AM,
at 16th Street and Camelback Road (1641 E Camelback) at Starbucks. The north side of the building is
shaded and misted, we found it very comfortable. So
grab your drink of choice and please join us as we
would love to have you!
1st Saturday Dinner w/Friends
Join us on Saturday, March 12th, 7:00 PM,
for dinner at The Wild Thaiger, 2631 N Central Avenue, in Phoenix.
Family owned and operated, offering fresh,
made to order, Thai cuisine. Wide variety of dishes at
the level of spiciness you prefer. This is the real deal!
Brother & sister chefs born in Thailand offer 50 years of combined cooking experience. This culinary adventure takes Thai food to a another level. Full bar and home
made decadent deserts compliment your dining experience. Parking available behind
the restaurant. Pricing is inexpensive with entrees starting at $9.95 As always /
separate checks, patience appreciated.
Join us for DANCING afterwards. The CASH of course!
To insure an accurate head count, please RSVP with the first name and last
initial of each person in your party. Need your RSVP a few days ahead.
To RSVP, or for more information, e-mail [email protected].
Eatin’ Out in the East Valley
"Eatin Out in the East Valley" meets the 3rd Monday of each month at
various restaurants in the East Valley. All lesbians are invited to attend. Join us for
fine dining and meet new friends! March’s location was not available at press time.
For more information, call Patty at (602) 809-8018 or golfingnut09@yahoo.
Need a dinner date?
Check out the WCC’s lesbian dating page! All the dating
sites, all in one convenient place!
www.womenscommunityconnection.
com/lesbiandating
13
What Makes You Come Alive?
By Paula Gregorowicz
Harold Whitman wrote:
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask
yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do
that. Because what the world needs is people who have
come alive."
Do you know what makes you come alive? Or, like
so many of us have you lost sight of that "zing", that burst
of energy that is truly you as you've marched through the
demands of daily living over and over and over...?
Here's the thing, if you're feeling:
• Numbed out to your feelings (or wanting to numb
them out)
• Devoid of any hobbies
• Overwhelmed or too exhausted to engage in activities
you love to do
Then you need to come alive...and soon.
I've always been a very engaged person with lots of
different interests. Yet there were definitely times, years on
end in fact, when I was so dissatisfied with my career, spent
each day in a toxic job, and felt it was easier to give up on
the things I loved doing. After all, what's the point? Most
of them would never be a career move (not enough talent
for Carnegie Hall) and some of them really only matter to
me (so who cares if I bother, right?). So I let them slowly
slip away. My heart and soul felt bankrupt but in a world
that values "reality" over living fully it somehow seemed an
OK compromise at the time.
The problem with taking this approach to your life
is that it is like a tire with a slow leak. Eventually you'll find
yourself totally flat or as the air is leaking out of the tire
(your life) it will weaken to the point that it'll blow when
you most need it. Neither one is pretty.
You see, you may think you don't need this spark
and joy of what makes you come alive in order to be successful "in the real world" (where is that anyway?), yet in
fact it is the single most important element in succeeding on
your own terms. Without a sense of engagement and aliveness in your days, what's the point? Just ticking off things
on your to-do list so you can arrive safely at death's door?
It may sound harsh but oh so many people in this country
are on that very path.
Now you may be thinking - but money really matters. Absolutely, yes it does. Money matters but meaning
matters even more. Without it, everything else is just going
through the motions.
You see coming alive doesn't mean you have to
quit your job (especially if you actually like it!) and go be a
full-time artist (if art is what makes you come alive). It might
mean you want to totally reinvent your career, but it also
might just mean that you need to put art back into your life
on a regular basis (say, daily or weekly). All of a sudden,
you start taking time just for you and then paradoxically you
start finding more opportunities and success in all you do.
Not to mention you actually enjoy each day more and feel
more alive and a sense of energy and "zing" in your life.
How great would that be?
So, my coach's request to you is to take some time,
settle into your favorite, comfy spot and ask yourself - what
makes me come alive?
Need help weeding through all the noise in your
head to get at what makes you come alive? Ready to head
in a new life or career direction? If so, contact me at
[email protected] or 215-450-2549 for a
complimentary Get Acquainted Call to learn how you can
start to come alive in relevant and meaningful ways in your
personal and professional life.
Lesbian Entrepreneurs! Advertise in the WCC!
Target the lesbian market!
Inexpensive advertising rates to help you get your business going.
Check out our advertising information at www.womenscommunityconnection.com/Advertising
14
MS. KNOWITALL
Dear Ms. Knowitall,
What is your opinion on public displays of affection?
I don't mean a casual hug, kiss, etc., I mean obviously sexual
ones.
I am good friends with 2 couples who just can't keep
their hands off each other in public. I think it's disgusting.
When I mention it, they say I am just a homophobe, but I'm
not. I don't think straight people should behave like that either. I don't want to witness something that should be private
and intimate. I think it's inappropriate to fondle your partner in
public, under any circumstances. Just because I am also a lesbian doesn't mean that I think that kind of behavior is acceptable.
I find myself not wanting to be around these people
socially. It's uncomfortable. I know that other people feel that
way also - it's been mentioned.
Do I just drop these friends? I don't want to, but I
can't get them to stop. What's your opinion? Am I just a
prude?
Signed,
Tired of Being Subjected to Your Sex Life
Dear TOBS...,
There are numerous etiquette books that delineate the
guidelines regarding the type, duration, frequency, and appropriate locations of PDA's, all of which your demonstrative
friends have gleefully violated.
Whether or not you are a prude (def: a person who
affects or shows an excessively modest, prim, or proper attitude, especially regarding sex) is not the issue, although it's
always advantageous to examine and challenge your automatic
responses, and you are heartily invited to do so. The issue,
however, is that you are considering ending a friendship that
you value over a behavior that delights the aforementioned
couple. Even if Ms. K. were to agree that your friends' behavior is inappropriate, you'd still be the one with the problem
since they have no intention of allowing you to control their
lives. So let's discuss that, shall we?
Refusing to conform to social norms carries it's own
societal penalties that range from ridicule to violence. That's
why people cultivate a social circle of loving friends, who will
by and large accept them as they are. Only you can decide
whether or not you feel that these particular friends are worthy
of your unconditional acceptance. If they are, then you'll find
a way to ride
out their limerence period and
hang in there
until lesbian bed
death rolls
around. If they're
not then you'll
weed them out
of your social
circle and find friends who more fully conform to your personal
set of values.
It's a difficult decision, and Ms. K. isn't going to
make it any easier for you by passing judgment on your friends'
behavior.
Ms. Knowitall,
I'd like to know what makes you so smart. What
qualifies you to advise people on everything?
Actually, I do think you usually give good advice.
Once in a while I disagree, like when you berated someone
for needing time away from her partner. But really, how did
you get into this line of work?
Just Curious
Dear Curious,
Just for clarification, Ms. Knowitall did not and
would not berate anyone for needing time away from her partner. Most people need a bit of solitude in a relationship, and
there's nothing wrong with that. There are also no rules regarding the amount of alone time needed. However, there's a
difference between a couple who is living together negotiating
alone time and an individual maintaining a separate household
in which she spends 42% of her time, over her partner's objections, leaving the partner alone to deal with the house and
kids. To add insult to injury, she wants Ms. K. to help her
convince the disgruntled partner that it's simply alone time,
when clearly, she's turned it into an entirely different type of
relationship and refuses to own it.
As you can see, the unique ability to consider the
nuance in various complex
continued on next page
15
Ms. Knowitall
continued from previous page
situations and uncover the underlying bullshit
that people invariably tell themselves and others,
make Ms. K. highly qualified for this type of
work.
Address your questions for Ms.
Knowitall t o MsKnowitall@ womenscommunityconnection.com. If you have a question but
do not have e-mail access, send your question to
WCC/Ms. Knowitall, 2544 N. Champlain
Ave., Tempe, AZ, 85281. If you sign your
name (you don’t have to) it will not be printed.
All letters are kept confidential. Any advice
given is the opinion of Ms. Knowitall only.
WCC does not take responsibility for any bad
advice that appears in this column.
Request from Ms. Knowitall
Anyone who's gotten advice from Ms.
Knowitall, please write in and tell us: What
advice did Ms. Knowitall give you, did you use
the advice, and if so, how did it turn out? If
you didn't use the advice, what did you do,
and how did that turn out?
Send to: msknowitall@womenscommunity
Tea Party
continued from page 3
At another of the tables there was a sign that said, “Bring our
troops home safely.” One of the members of my group, who is a Quaker
and a peace activist, went up to the women at that table and said, “I’d
like to make one change to that sign. I’d change it from safely to immediately.” One of the women at the table said, “Yes, we should bring them
home and station them at the southern front.” Apparently, she is under the
impression that we are at war with Mexico. Seriously, that seems to be
tactic used by Tea Partiers. Give things inflammatory labels and then you
don’t have to really think about the logic behind what you are saying.
She also told this man, who is an organic chemist, that people
don’t need to go to college. They should just go to trade school and become electricians. I guess it has never occurred to her that without education about electricity all electricians would electrocute themselves. And I’m
sure she has never thought about who designs the buildings and electrical
plans that electricians work on. (Hint, architects and engineers have been
to college.)
So we left, walking on sidewalks funded by the government and
driving on streets funded by the government. We stopped at governmentfunded stop signs and red lights and got on the freeway, which was
funded by the federal government. By the way, the taxes you pay on your
car and fuel do not even begin to pay your share of the costs of funding
and maintaining freeways. They are, quite bluntly, subsidized by the government.
We drove home, following road signs posted by the government
and when we got home, we stopped to pick up our mail, delivered by the
government. We went in the front door and turned on the light, using
electricity regulated by the government and got a drink of water, courtesy
of the local government.
Let’s send the Tea Party back to Wonderland.
connection.com
East Valley Pride Bowling Team
The East Valley Bowling Team is a
GLBT (straight friendly) Bowling League is in
the East Valley. We meet on Thursday Nights
at AMF Chandler Lanes, 1900 N. Arizona
Ave (S.W. Corner of Arizona Ave & Warner
Rd), in Chandler.
Teams consist of 2 bowlers per team!
Come join us as a team or as a single and have a
fun filled time bowling in the East Valley.
For additional information call: 480898-9092, or Email [email protected]. You
can also find us on Facebook.
Lesbian Social Network
Movie Night
Every 4th Friday
Join us for lesbian and LGBTthemed movies
LSN meets at the
1 Voice Community Center
725 W Indian School, Phx
7:30—10:00 PM
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/LSN
16
Center Hours
Our Mission:
Monday - Friday:
12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
One Voice Community Center serves as a cultural focal point uniting
LGBT individuals and reinvests in the community by providing vital
educational, social and wellness programs.
Our Vision:
Help to create a strong community
of LGBT individuals living without
fear, shame or isolation.
One Voice Speakers Bureau
The Speakers Bureau serves as a conduit into the LGBT community within
the greater community. A diverse group of LGBT individuals go to organizations and
businesses within the Valley that are not LGBT knowledgeable, to discuss being
LGBT, answer any question, and give a “face” to the LGBT community. It serves to
fight prejudice, ignorance, and LGBT cultural phobias.
Check our website Toastmasters
Do you fear speaking in public? Conquer your
for Communiversity
fears, improve your public speaking skills, enhance your
skills, and network, all in the comfort of your
classes, and more leadership
own community!
Meetings are held at the 1 Voice Community
events!
Center, 725 W. Indian School, Suite #125, in Phoenix. For dates and more
information, contact [email protected].
You’re Invited!
If you would
like to make a difference within the LGBT
community, feel free to
visit us during our
monthly meetings.
We meet every 3rd Friday, 10:30am-12:30pm, at the 1 Voice Community
Center, 725 W. Indian School Rd. Suite 125, Phoenix, AZ 85013
If you have any questions Please feel free to contact Saul Guevara,
Program Manager of One Voice Community Center, at 602-712-0111 e-mail is
[email protected]
1 Voice Community
Center is currently
conducting a search for
the Executive Director
position
If you are interested in applying for the
position please contact Franklin Evans,
Search Committee Chair, at Frank-
[email protected]
17
Lesbian Social Network
Every Friday,
7:30 - 10:00 PM
Admission: $5.00
(Includes refreshments)
1 Voice
Community Center
725 W Indian School, Phx
1 Voice Community Center,
725 W Indian School, Phoenix, Suite 125
SW corner of Indian School & 7th Ave
alcohol--free alternative to meeting people at the bars
The alcohol
Join us for games, lively discussions, special guests,
exceptional events, unique theme nights, lesbian movies,
fun & laughter, & MORE!!!
Movie night every 4th Friday!
Become a member, and get in FREE!
(see ad on page 16)
For more information about LSN, visit the WCC website:
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/LSN
Or e-mail [email protected]
18
Four Ways You Can Benefit from
Having a Coach and Mentor
By Paula Gregorowicz
Here are four specific ways having a coach can transform your life and your business/career. I know this because I
have experienced it firsthand and I've heard it from my clients.
Big Thinking and Holding a Vision of You at Your
Highest Potential
We think the way we think because it is always the
way we have thought. What we see as possible for ourselves is
a combination of past experiences and what we witness in those
who we surround ourselves with. For most people their future
looks very much like their present circumstances +/- 10%.
Why? Because that is all that you know, think is possible, or
will give yourself permission to want. With a coach at your side
you get to live in the realm of possibility of much, much more.
That more can be anything you want it to be - common things
are more money, more time, more meaning, more satisfaction. It
can also be more of that intangible spark that makes your passion and purpose be expressed in the world in a way that only
you can deliver. A coach will hold you in that highest vision
even when you feel like crap or your outer results aren't what
you want to see (yet). This isn't about denial or wishful thinking, but about making that powerful shift into the role of creating that vision you most want for your life personally and professionally. And if you don't yet know what that vision, what
"It" is, she can help you discover it, name it, and claim it.
Accountability and Forward Movement
Let's face it, without someone to be accountable to,
most of us will skip the uncomfortable stuff and do what we
already know; what is already familiar. Who wants to take the
risk of being seen, taking a stand, or (gasp!) making a mistake
or failing at something? Worse yet, what will it mean if I succeed? Left to our own devices we procrastinate even when we
vow that we'll keep ourselves on track. How many books have
you pledged to read and do the exercises? And what did you
DO with that information that brought measurable results in
your life? While occasionally you can have a mini-breakthrough
this way, lasting, sustainable results are obtained far faster and
easier with the support of a highly trained coach.
Hearing and Speaking the Truth
Everyone has blind spots. A coach will help you see
these and tell you the truth about them, unattached to any specific outcome. In turn you can also speak your truth. Without
the inevitable bias of loved ones and colleagues, you get to give
voice to your authentic self and what is really going on, what
you really want to create in your world. A good coach will
help you set and enforce healthy boundaries and take good care
of yourself so you can create the present and future you most
desire without being subject to distraction and competing agendas that leave you feeling conflicted and guilty.
Focus and Shortcuts
You need to be clear on where you want to go, but
also where you are right now. You know those maps in a shopping complex - the ones with the big dot that say "YOU ARE
HERE?” Without that dot you have no idea how to get where
you want to go. A coach will help you get clear on both these
points so you can start moving forward right away. Not
"someday" not "maybe later", but starting today. While coaching
is not designed to be a speed trip, it will increased the velocity
at which you achieve your goals and move forward because
you'll be armed with proven tips, techniques, and shortcuts to
get you in action.
So you can see that this kind of support is not about
just some cheerleading from the sidelines. It's not a "feel good"
strategy that you can get from a book or a class or your colleagues/friends. Yes, you will feel energized and inspired. That
is certain - and if you don't feel energized or inspired by your
coach, he or she is not the right fit for you. Where the real exponential returns on your investment is found, however, are in
the real, tangible results in your life, your career, and your business. It is an investment that will only ever appreciate in value
(goodness knows you can't even come close to that in the financial markets) You will experience truly life-changing innershifts from which you'll reap the benefits for years and outer
results that align with what you most want to be experiencing.
Ready to experience these benefits (and more!) for
yourself? Contact me at [email protected] or
215-450-2549 to schedule a complimentary Get Acquainted call and we'll explore what's not working for you right
now, what you most want to create, and the best next steps for
you to move forward.
GWM interested in becoming a biological father
If you are a woman wishing to become a mother, and are looking for a sperm donor, we may be able to help each other
achieve our goals. I have brown hair, brown eyes, 5’9”, and
live in the Phoenix area with my partner-in-life. I am of English,
Welsh, and Hungarian descent, and have both a Bachelors and
a Masters degree. I am healthy and HIV negative. If you have
been considering having a child, I encourage you to contact me
and we can talk. Remember, “A journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step.” Contact Richard:
[email protected].
19
AMAZON TRAIL
Social Insecurity
By Lee Lynch
Wow! I just got my first Social Security check!
Darn, I must be really, really old.
Not as old as Washington is planning for its kids
and grandkids to be. As often as I hear that Social Security
is about to go bust, I hear that it’s fine. Hey, you guys in
D.C., like they say in twelve step programs, if it works,
don’t fix it!
I imagine visiting the Capitol Building and buttonholing a Congressperson. Look, Representative Womanizer,
I’d say, try this for a hypothetical. Your once-favored child
grows up. He becomes an artisan, a tile setter, a job he’s
great at, but there’s no pension. He saves the best he can,
but one of his kids has a chronic disease and you voted to
disembowel universal health care, so he’s broke from medical
bills. His partner dies, but your son doesn’t benefit from his
pension because you voted to outlaw gay marriage. Sonny
boy’s job does in his knees and back and he develops an
allergy to the glue he uses. In constant pain, asthmatic, he
manages to keep setting tiles until age 65. But, wait, you
voted to increase the retirement age to 70! You’d help him,
but you’re dead or in prison for skimming or scamming or
conspiring. Is this the life you wanted for daddy’s little boy?
The word security is pretty misleading these days.
My father had a secure job with the federal government.
When he died my mother received a pension and health
care for life. Which was good, since she’d light out of the
house every day, well into her 90s, get on a bus or subway
and go shopping somewhere, anywhere. She was thrifty as
only someone who survived the American Great Depression
can be, so she only spent at sales.
Security died with my mother and father. The very
concept of security gets more obsolete every year.
All my life I’d planned to retire at age 65. Then
congress changed the rules. So, okay, I can wait till 66.
Only I didn’t. The Republicans won some elections this
November and are yammering about fixing Social Security.
While I didn’t lie awake worrying, exactly, I did panic.
Okay, I thought. If I retire in November, 2010,
how soon will I break even with the amount Social Security
would have paid me if I’d waited another 12 months? I got
as far as stating the problem in words and then I spaced
out, escaping into a daydream of winning the lottery, enabling my sweetheart to retire and me to write full time.
A month or so later, I took up the problem again.
This time I mentioned it to my sweetheart. She’s the mathhead in this marriage. A minute later, or less, she’d calculated my answer. We had a decision to make. I could apply
for Social Security immediately and start working at my job
only three days a week. That sounded wonderful! I could
take my first checks and buy the Mac Book Air I’d been
drooling over. Tempting, but kind of splurgy for a semiretiree. I could stash the whole year’s payments – down to
eleven months by now – in the bank and have it as a cushion. Or I could quit my job altogether and maybe finish my
new book by the promised deadline. Wow. This was exciting. Thirty years earlier I would have gone for finishing the
book.
But I don’t have a pension. Or a 401K or company stock. I let all that go to finish the last dozen books.
What I have is Social Security and you politicians are messing with it. What are you thinking? That no one you care
about will ever actually need to live on the rather paltry stipend Americans are awarded for working all our lives?
Well, I say, stop it, Representative Womanizer!
Stop kicking aging Americans’ futures around in your
power plays. Be fiscally conservative at the expense of
someone who can afford it, like the beneficiaries of boondoggles from Boston to Bagdad.
Ah, Representative Womanizer, does it rile you to
think entitlement programs feed and clothe Democrats and
gays? Are you afraid seniors are going to use birth control
and get abortions?
Wait! Social security isn’t an entitlement program!
It’s completely funded by employers and employees. We
pay for it with chunks of our wages. We gave it to our government to hold until we needed it. Now, when more of us
than ever do need it, you want to treat our contributions to
our own futures as taxes so you can make government look
lean? And keep your congressional seat? I don’t think so.
I don’t trust you, Representative Womanizer. I’ve
decided: I’m going to keep working at my job, continue
writing my subversive lesbian books. Then I’m going to vote
you out of office.
Copyright Lee Lynch 2011
20
SPIRITUALITY
Phoenix Shambhala
Meditation Group
Unity of Phx
The Unity of Phoenix GLBT
Connections Group provides community
and support for one another, with the
guiding principles being our relationship
with God, and living Love. We meet
at various times during the month in private homes and at Unity of Phoenix,
1500 E. Greenway Parkway.
For more information, visit our
website at www.unityphx.org/, or email:
[email protected].
Shambhala Phoenix Meditation Center is part of an international
community of urban meditation and
rural retreat centers founded by Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
and is now led by Sakyong Mipham
Rinpoche. Our center offers public
meditation two times per week, a core
curriculum of Buddhist and Shambhala
teachings, as well as training in advanced contemplative practices. We
invite you to explore our diverse programs designed to help people of all
traditions discover their inherent sanity,
gentleness and humor. Please come sit,
come study and come see what we are
all about.
www.rpascottsdale.com
AVIV
Dignity/Integrity
Dignity/Integrity Phoenix provides a welcome, open environment for
gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender
Catholics and Episcopalians, their families and friends.
Join us every Saturday at 7:00
p.m. as we celebrate the Roman Catholic liturgy at the Church of the Beatitudes, 555 W. Glendale Avenue,
Phoenix (SE corner of Glendale and
7th Avenues in the chapel located in
the Britt Center which is the building
east of the main sanctuary facing Glendale Avenue). A potluck is held on the
third Saturday. This is your opportunity
to meet some great new friends.
For more information, call our
Info-line at 623-772-6999, visit our
website, at http://www.diginphx.org/,
or e-mail [email protected].
AVIV is a spiritual and social
organization for the Arizona GLBT
Jewish community. For more information, call 602-952-1612.
Catholics for Equality was
founded in 2010 to support, educate,
and mobilize Catholics in the advancement of freedom and equality at the
federal, state, and local levels for our
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered family, parish and community
members.
Soulforce is an interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence
perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgender (GLBT) people." Join our network of friends learning nonviolence from
Ghandi and King, seeking justice for God’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
children.
Spiritual violence is the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation and
rejection of any of God’s children. Misusing religion and/or God to support society’s bias against sexual and gender minorities also inappropriately justifies psychological, legal and physical violence against them. Some zealots blatantly articulate
spiritual violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people when they
scream “God Hates Fags.” Mainline churches may be less blatant and more sophisticated, but they are no less guilty of spiritual violence. It is just as violent spiritually
when pastors and parents—quoting scripture—condemn and reject members of
their congregation and their family.
E-mail [email protected] for more information, or visit our website at
http://www.catholicsforequality.org/
http://www.soulforce.org
21
LGBTLGBT-friendly churches
Asbury United Methodist
1601 W. Indian School Rd., Phoenix
(602) 279-2369
Grace Lutheran
1124 N. 3rd St., Phoenix
(602) 258-3787
www.aplaceforallpeople.com
www.graceinthecity.com
Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church
1029 E. Turney Ave., Phoenix
(602) 265-2831
Interfaith Unity Church
1641 East University Drive, Mesa
(480) 946-9481
www.casadecristo.org
www.interfaithunitychurch.org
Celebration Of Life Presbyterian Church
2530 South Alma School Road
Mesa, AZ 85210-4016
(480) 838-8550
Olive Tree Christian Fellowship at Palo Cristi Presbyterian
3535 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley
(602) 955-6080
www.celebration-of-life.org
Church of the Beatitudes United Church of Christ
555 W. Glendale Ave, Glendale
602-264-1221
Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ
4425 North Granite Reef Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
(480) 946-2900
www.beatitudeschurch.org
www.scucc.com
Community Church of Hope
4121 N 7th Ave, Phoenix
602-234-2180
Shadow Rock Congregational
12861 N. 8th Ave. Phoenix
602-993-0050
www.communitychurchofhope.com
www.shadowrockucc.org
Christ of the Desert Catholic of the Antioch at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
801 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
(602) 789-6251
Soka Gakkai International
1930 E. Myrtle Ave, Phoenix
480-664-3004
http://www.humanc.com/pcoa/main.htm
Temple Emanuel (Reform Judaism)
5801 S. Rural Rd, Tempe
480-838-1414
Creative Living Fellowship
6530 N 7th St. Phoenix 85014.
602. 906 .4080
http://creativelivingfellowship.com/
Desert Palm United Church Of Christ
1230 East Guadalupe Road, Tempe
(480) 831-006
www.desertpalmucc.org
First Congregational United Church of Christ
1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix
602-258-6891
www.phoenixucc.org
Gentle Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church
South Mountain Community Church, 717 E Southern Avenue, Phoenix
602-864-6404
www.gsmcc.org
www.palocristipres.org
www.sgi-usa.org
http://emanueloftempe.org/
Trinity Center of New Thought
6411 S. River Drive, Tempe
480-491-6707
Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
100 W. Roosevelt, Phoenix
(602) 254-7126
www.trinitycathedral.com
Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
6400 W. Del Rio St., Chandler
(480) 899-4249
www.vuu.org
Via de Cristo United Methodist Church
7430 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 134,Scottsdale
(480) 515-4490
www.viadecristo.com
22
“Orgasm, Inc.” debunks
female sexual dysfunction
By Jennifer Merin
(WOMENSENEWS)--February was Cupid's time,
but Hollywood wasn’t showing much love for women last
month. It's slim pickings when it comes to feature films of particular interest to women.
Though Hollywood isn't delivering our heart's delights
at the multiplex, February did bring us three engaging documentaries on different aspects of female sexuality.
"Orgasm, Inc.," Liz Canner's entertaining and infuriating
exposé about the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry's medicalization and commercialization of female sexuality, opened
Feb. 11 in limited release. It's a must-see. If it's not at a theater
near you, look for it on DVD, soon to be available from First
Run Features.
Canner became aware of the issue when she was hired
to create erotic tapes for use in the testing of a "female Viagra."
Through that assignment she discovered that Vivus and other
drug companies were pressuring authorities to define women's
fluctuations in desire and responsiveness or degrees of pleasure
as a new disease called Female Sexual Dysfunction, and seeking
FDA approval for drugs to treat it.
With millions in profits at stake, pharmaceutical companies were (and are) racing to get the first orgasm cream FDAapproved and to market.
But the highly credible physicians, researchers, psychologists and sex toy purveyors--female sexuality experts, all--in
this movie say there is no such thing as Female Sexual Dysfunction and treatments being promoted by drug makers are not
only ineffective, but also can be harmful.
A second searing documentary about women's sexuality premiered on public television Feb. 9. "Mrs. Goundo's
Daughter," directed by Barbara Attie and Janet Goldwater, is
the heart wrenching story of a Malian woman who is fighting to
protect her young daughter from undergoing female genital mutilation, which family members threaten to impose against her will.
'A Good Man'
The third documentary is "A Good Man," In it, Safina
Uberoi follows the Rohrlachs--Chris and Rachel, their teenage
son and infant daughter and their respective parents. The rural
Australian family turns from farming to running a brothel in order
to support Rachel who, many years before, suffered a stroke
and became a quadriplegic. Infant daughter? Yes, the couple
still has sex. "A Good Man" has no political agenda, no polemic. It's just a really good real story that lets you reflect
deeply on relationships and women's sexuality.
February also saw the launch of the Athena Film Festival, presenting 20 femme-helmed or femme-centric films and
several panel discussions at New York's Barnard College from
Feb. 10-13.
If you want to attend a women's film festival, but can't
be in New York City, dozens are scheduled across the nation
throughout the year.
If you can't find a women's film festival in your vicinity,
consider starting one. It's all the mode. And it's about time,
too.
Now on to this year's Oscars, which are to be presented Feb. 27 on ABC. There are no celluloid ceiling stats set
for breakage this year. No woman is nominated for "Best Director," even though Lisa Cholodenko, Debra Granik, Sofia
Coppola ("Somewhere") and Nicole Holofcener ("Please
Give") all did worthy work this year. (At press time, the Os-
cars had not yet aired).
Two 'Best Picture' Nominees
Still, Granik's "Winter's Bone" and Cholodenko's "The
Kids Are All Right" are nominated for "Best Picture." That's 2
out of 10. Not equal. Not perfect. Progress, but not a Valentine.
As for February's new feature films . . .
The only femme-helmed feature is "I Am You," previously entitled "In Her Skin." Simone North's truth-based thriller
about a missing Australian teenager who was found to have
been murdered by her babysitter stars Guy Pearce, Sam Neill
and Miranda Otto. Other than that, little information is available about this film and there's no trailer for it. So wait and see.
Of the month's few films about women, "The Roommate" is a college campus screamer in which one teen who's
obsessed with her new best friend--her roommate--turns into a
terrorizing monster. Thrilling? Not.
"Just Go For It," the obligatory Val Day romcom, has
Jennifer Aniston assisting best friend Adam Sandler to win the
heart of a younger woman who suspects that he's secretly married when he's not. A few chuckles, but mainly lame.
Then there's "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son," an
urban comedy in which a cross-dressing FBI agent (Martin Lawrence) and his son go into hiding at a girls' art school. And,
yes, the two guys are hefty. But the hilarity isn't.
In "Shelter," Julianne Moore plays a forensic psychiatrist trying to figure out why her patient's alternate personalities
all belong to deceased persons. The film was released overseas
last year. Perhaps it should have stayed there. But it's here on
Feb. 25, well timed to capture pre-Oscars box office from fans
loyal to Moore, overlooked by the Academy this year.
23
Women in Tune
The Arizona Women in Tune Chorale
rehearses every Thursday, from 6:45-9:15
PM, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 801 East
Camelback Road (Camelback and 7th Street). This non-auditioned community chorus welcomes all women willing to embrace a mission of increased
visibility for lesbians, celebrations of the accomplishments of women in music,
and the passionate pursuit of artistic excellence.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] call 602-4871940.
LOCAL LGBT WEBSITES
Phoenix Pride: http://www.phoenixpride.org/
Human Rights Campaign: http://phoenix.hrc.org/
Lambda Phoenix Center: http://www.phxlambda.org/
Equality Arizona: http://www.equalityarizona.org/
Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce: http://www.gpglcc.org/
1’N 10: http://www.1n10.org/
One Voice Community Center: http://www.1vcc.org/
Gay, Lesbian Education Network (GLSEN):
http://chapters.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/phoenix/home.html
Rainbow Festival:
http://www.rainbowsfestival.com/index.cfm
One Community: http://www.one-community.us/
ASU LGBT Coalition: http://www.asulgbtq.org/
ECHO magazine: http://www.echomag.com/
Desert Valley Squares
Desert Valley Squares is Arizona's premier gay
and lesbian social square dance club. Desert Valley
Squares is a proud member of the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs. We have "dance
parties" on Sunday nights from 7:30 PM to 9:00
PM. Beginner level classes forming soon!
For more information write Desert Valley Squares, PO Box 34615,
Phoenix, AZ 85067; call/fax (480) 704-9604 or visit http://
www.iagsdc.org/desertvalleysqs/.
National Organization
for Women
The Phoenix/
Scottsdale Chapter of
the National Organization for Women is a
grass roots organization of volunteers who
work to support women’s rights. There are
several chapters in the Phoenix area.
East Valley NOW:
Andrea Giunta
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.myspace.com/
evnowchapter
Meetings: Second Thursday every month,
6:30-8:30 PM, Tempe Public LibrarySW corner of Rural and Southern, Tempe,
AZ.
Phoenix/Scottsdale NOW:
P.O. Box 3514, Scottsdale, AZ
85271-3514
480-948-5014
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.phxscottsdalenow.org
Meetings: Second Wednesday every
other month, Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 Drinkwater Blvd, in the Silver or Gold Room from 6:30-8:30 pm.
Sun Cities/West Valley NOW:
15318 W Skyview Way, Surprise, AZ
85374
623-975-7411
E-mail: [email protected]
Or Co-coordinators
Mary Smiley
Marge Mead
10035 W Royal Oak Road
GH #1052
Sun City, AZ 85351
623-815-8522 (call or e-mail for meeting schedule and location)
E-mail: [email protected], or marge-
24
SUPPORT GROUPS
Arizona Coalition
Against Domestic
Violence (ACADV)
Arizona’s
only statewide legal
advocacy hotline for
victims and survivors
of domestic violence.
Available Monday –
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Staffed by knowledgeable staff, interns
and volunteers with over 20 year’s lay
legal advocacy experience. The AzCADV Legal Advocacy Hotline Staff
Are NOT attorneys and cannot give
legal advice. Able to provide information to Spanish-speaking callers. Confidential and safe.
Address:
Legal Advocacy Hotline
Statewide, AZ
Phone: 800-799-SAFE (7223)
TTY: 800-787-3224
Toll Free: 800.782.6400
Website: http://www.azcadv.org/
The Gay and Lesbian (LGBT) Relationship Breakup
and Intelligent Dating Support Group
We meet every Tuesday, 7 - 9pm, at Casa de Christo Church, 1029
E.Turney Ave (north of Indian School, west of 12th st) in the middle room of the
office building on the east side of the complex.
While our priority is to support those going through the painful and difficult
early stages of a relationship breakup, the group has expanded to include where we
go after we have healed from our loss and is very much focused on Spiritual and
personal growth. It is our mission to, in time, be better off for the experience of our
breakup due to greater self awareness and better dating and relationship skills.
Contact Sue Piscatello at 602-299-7588.
Sojourner Center’s Support Groups
* Adult Women who have and/or are experiencing domestic violence: Thursday,
6:15 to 7:30 PM
* Spanish support group for adult women who have and/or are experiencing domestic violence: Thursday, 6:15 to 7:30 PM
* Adult lesbian/bisexual women who have and/or are experiencing domestic violence: Thursday, 6:45 to 7:45 PM
*The locations for the above groups
are confidential. Please call (602)
244-0089 for more information.
* Adult Women who have and/or are
experiencing Domestic Violence:
1-800
800--799
799--SAFE (7233)
Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 PM, The
Women’s Resource Center, 1130 E.
McDowell Rd.
The Wellness Community
Facing Cancer Together is a group for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgendered (LGBT) community, addressing the many ways cancer affects our
relationships with partners, family and friends. We will discuss tools and resources to
nurture and support our most important relationships.
For more information, visit the website, http://www.twccaz.org/.
The National
Domestic
Violence Hotline
Support
is just a phone call
away
25
Gay/Lesbian AA Groups
The Casual Nooners: Meets every day at 12:00 NOON, at the Lambda
PFLAG
PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of
Lesbians & Gays) is a support and informational group for those of us learning to deal
with the reality of homosexuality and how to
provide loving support for our children, friends,
and each other. We welcome our gay and lesbian children, family, and friends at meetings.
For more information, support, education, resources and more, visit the PFLAG
website at www.pflagphoenix.org/index.html.
Meetings:
Every 1st Wednesday: Familias del Arco Iris,
(bilingual/Spanish support), 7– 9:00 PM, at
the First United Congregational Church of
Christ, 1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix
Every 1st Friday: 7-8:30 PM, Dayspring
United Methodist Church, 1365 E. Elliot
Road, Tempe
Every 2nd Thursday: 7-8:30 PM, Via de
Cristo United Methodist Church, 7430 E.
Pinnacle Peak Road, #134, Scottsdale
Every 3rd Monday: 7-9:00 PM, at the First
United Congregational Church of Christ,
1407 N. 2nd Street, Phoenix
Every 4th Saturday: 1:30-3:00 PM, Lord of
Life Lutheran church, 13724 W. Meeker
Blvd, Sun City West
Phoenix Center, 2622 N. 16th St. (SW corner at Virginia).
Happy Hour: Meets every day, 6:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Honesty: Meets at 7:00 PM on Monday at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Alcoholics Together: Meets at 8:00 PM on Thursday at Lambda Phoenix
Center
Reality: Meets at 8:00 PM on Friday at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Let Go and Let God: Meets at 7:30 PM on Tuesday at the Lambda
Phoenix Center
Youth AA Night: Fridays 6::00PM, One Voice Community Center,
:725 W Indian School, #125, Phx
This is How: Every day at 10:00 PM,at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Variety Meeting: Sundays at 7:15 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Spiritual Experience: Mondays at 8:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
Women Sharing in Recovery: Tuesdays at 7:30 PM, at the Lambda
Phoenix Center
Come to Believe: Wednesdays at 8:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
BYOBB: Saturdays at 10:00 AM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Saturday Night Live: Saturdays at 8:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
AlAl-Anon:
Working On the Solution: Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 PM at Lambda
Phoenix Center
Absolutely Fabulous Al-Anon: Fridays at 8:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Gamblers Anonymous
Lambda GA: Sundays at 1:30 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Crystal Meth Anonymous
Monday at a Time: Monday, 8:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
New Hope: Wednesdays at 7:30 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix Center
Nicotine Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix
More support
groups
on page 26
Center
Narcotics Anonymous
MGLA(more Gratitude, Less Attitude): Thursdays at 7:30 PM, at the
Lambda Phoenix Center
All Fellowships
Recovery Birthday Meeting: Sundays at 7:00 PM, at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
26
Free LGBT Quit Smoking Classes
1n10, Inc. offers life-enhancing
programs for LGBTQ youth ages 1422 We meet at the Community Church
of Hope, 4121 N 7th Ave (enter
north of Indian School on 6th Drive) on
Thursdays at 7:00PM.
For more information please call
602-475-7456.
1n10 provides a safe environment for LGBTQ youth to develop
positive self-acceptance through life enhancing programs. 1n10 strives to ensure all LGBTQ youth are respected,
valued, and can be themselves wherever
they are.
For more information or to become a volunteer or donor for 1n10,
please contact the group’s director, at
[email protected]
1n10, Inc does not discriminate and all are welcome.
Loved ones overseas?
Here is what we know about the LGBT community and tobacco:
• 74% of LGBT have used tobacco products.
• 70% have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime.
• Smoking prevalence rates of LGBT respondents is 31% compared with 20% for
AZ Adult Tobacco Survey (ATSa).
• In past 12 months, about 67% stopped smoking for a day or longer because
they were trying to quit, compared with 42.5% of respondents of the ATS.
• A lot of casual smoking occurs in LGBT bars and has become a social norm.
• Many LGBT smokers are contemplating cessation, but not ready to quit. Increasing readiness and building motivation may facilitate cessation.
Are you tired of smoking or chewing tobacco? Do you want to quit for
good, but need help? Maricopa County Tobacco Use Prevention Program offers
FREE quit tobacco classes for LGBT community throughout Maricopa County.
Participants learn techniques to help them quit and get the support needed to stay
quit. The classes are facilitated by Arizona Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists.
Participants also receive 50% off the retail price of nicotine replacement therapy,
such as the patch or gum. Call (602) 372-7272 today to register for free classes,
Why Attend Quit Classes?
• Learn techniques to stop using tobacco and to handle nicotine cravings.
• Learn how to stay quit and handle stressful situations without using tobacco.
• Gain support from others who are quitting.
• Learn how to manage weight gain through diet and exercise.
• When you quit, your body starts to heal immediately and has long-lasting effects.
• In 20 minutes, blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.
• In 24 hours, your risk of heart attack decreases.
• In 1 year, excess risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker.
Gay/lesbian friendly support
group for those of us who have loved
ones and or family overseas/Middle East etc. We will protect their anonymity of them if
they are gay/lesbian by not using names. We will be meeting at least once a month in the
central Phoenix or Glendale area. If you are interested or know someone who is please contact me at [email protected].
New Breavement Group at 1VCC
Beginning in January, a new bereavement group, facilitated by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, will meet every 2nd Monday. Dr. Cacciatore started Mothers In Sympathy & Support (M.I.S.S.)I in 1996 for bereaving parents and siblings of youth who have passed
away. M.I.S.S. is a "volunteer based organization committed to providing crisis support and
long term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause. MISS also participates in
legislative and advocacy issues, community engagement and volunteerism, and culturally
competent, multidisciplinary, education opportunities."
If you are interested in joining this group please check the 1 Voice calendar for a
time and you are welcome to contact Saul Guevara at [email protected]. You may find
more information on the M.I.S.S. Foundation at www.missfoundation.org.
27
AZ Lesbian Moms
This group is for lesbian moms who want to share stories, work
out issues and get together for playdates and family BBQ's. A place
where new friendships can grow with those with the same interests....their
children. Maybe a mommies night out too!
http://www.meetup.com/az-lesbian-moms
Join the Lesbian Social
Network Phx on Meetup!
The Lesbian Social Network is everywhere! Join our newest online group, on
Meetup.com. Meetup gives you the opportunity
to RSVP to meetings and events, meet people,
and make new friends. The people who join
Meetup are those who want to get out of the
house, away from the computer, and do things
with others, in person. What a concept: using the
internet to get off the internet!
Check us out at http://www.meetup.com/
Latina Lesbians Y Gay Latinos
De Arizona
Our mission is to bring Latina Lesbians and Latino Gays together
in Arizona, as well as their supporters and partners. Our goal is to build
a strong community and provide support for the members. We want to
share our Latin culture and Spanish language but we also want to promote understanding and tolerance in our families and society in general.
Our vision is to champion our rights as gay latinos to marry, adopt children, have inheritance rights and be recognized as a strong force for
change in our community, our state, our nation and around the world.
http://www.meetup.com/Latina-Lesbians-Latino-Gays-De-Arizona/
Lesbian-Social-Network-Phoenix/
Club Explorer
Phoenix Latina Lesbian
Social Group
Looking for that all in one kind of group, where they don't just
talk about setting up parties and adventures-they DO IT? We are a
group of lesbian women aged 21 to 99, that LOVE to have adventures,
whether they are going on a hike, camping, swimming, or going out to
dinner, having a book club, a wine tasting party, or just chilling at a
friends house. We will have themed parties, and trips out of town, and
adventures that are just an afternoon long-as we go to craft fairs, concerts,
and outings to the museum. This club is all about women, sorry guys, no
men allowed. You can be single, or coupled-it doesn't matter-as long as
you want to have fun! Join us today and get started on the adventure at
Club ExploreHer!
Join the Phoenix Latina Social Group on
Meetup.com. We’ll be meeting one or twice a
month. It’s a great place to make friends with
strong Latina Lesbians. Make friends without being
in the bar scene. Lesbians from other cultures are
welcome to join as well.
To join, just go to http://
www.meetup.com/Phoenix-Latina-Lesbian-Social/,
and sign up. It’s free to join.
http://www.meetup.com/Lesbian-Adventurers-Group-Club-ExploreHer/
Join the Lesbian Social Network Phoenix group on GLEE, the social
networking site for the LGBT community. Lesbian Social Network Phoenix is
intended to be the online counterpart to the Lesbian Social Network (LSN)
group that meets every Friday. Share information, freely discuss anything you feel
moved to talk about for any reason, make new friends, and just have fun!
To join GLEE, visit www.glee.com and register. Once you’re a GLEE
member, you can join the LSN Phx group athttp://groups.glee.com/lsn.
28
Rainbow Book Club
H.E.R.O. is a grassroots group of community organizers committed to organizing and motivating the community, planning actions, and fighting for the human,
civil and equal rights for ALL. We are comprised of members of every sex, age,
race, and affiliation and we have a seat for everyone with a commitment to fighting
for human equal rights at our table!
Join us every 1st and 3rd Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Community
Church of Hope, 4121 N 7th Ave; Phoenix, AZ 85013.
For more information, to volunteer, to get involved or because you want to
tell us something - email us: [email protected].
Rainbow Fences/COLAGE (Children of
Lesbians and Gays Everywhere)
Rainbow Fences will be meeting every second Saturday of the month from
2PM-5PM, at the Community Church of Hope, 4121 N 7th Ave, Phoenix
(please enter on 6th Dr). Beverages and snacks will be provided. Focus of the
group will be family activities
We know that we are not the only GAY couple in the Valley with children, so we really hope you can take the time to come and meet some other families
just like yours!!! Moms, Dads, and children of all ages are welcome!!
We are not JUST a support group, email group or a "gathering"
group...we are a group that is going to make a difference in our "families' lives," Together we are going to teach our children that we need to act "OUT!!!”
For more information or to join Rainbow Fences you can email me at [email protected], or call Angela at 480-217-9340.
Phoenix GLSEN
The Phoenix chapter of the
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) meets
every 3rd Wednesday 99 E. Virginia Ave, in the NCCJ Office
Suite 150, at 6:30 pm.
The GLSEN Phoenix chapter leadership team envisions
creating a strong, centralized association in the Phoenix area supported by individuals with clear, strategic, and effective goals.
For more information, visit GLSEN’s website at http://
chapters.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/phoenix/home.html
or e-mail [email protected].
Love
books? Love
hanging out
with lesbians?
Then the Rainbow Book
Club is for you!
Next meetings:
Meetings are in east Mesa,
potluck after, usually on the 2nd or 3rd
Thursday.
Book suggestions will be
posted on our Yahoo groups polling
site, where members can vote for their
choices for future reads. To participate,
send an e-mail to [email protected] .
For more info, e-mail [email protected].
ASU Lambda
League
Lambda League was formed as
a coalition to promote and support diversity at Arizona State University. The
League consists of several different
groups that cater to the needs of the
gay, lesbian, transgendered, queer,
questioning and ally communities on
campus.
Visit http://www.asu.edu/
clubs/lgbtq/groups.html for a list of
groups with links to their home pages.
East
Valley
Book Club
A group of fabulous
and intelligent womyn have
formed a book club in the
EAST VALLEY.
If you are interested, and for more information,
email catscan1968@ yahoo.com.
29
My Favorite Lesbian Novels and
On-line Original Lesbian Fiction
By Robin Dee
Title: Sterling Road Blues by
Ruth Perkinson
Paperback: 264 pages
Publisher: Bella Books (April
20, 2010)
Amazon: $9.56
This was a lovely little find,
one of romantic love and deep
affection between two special
needs high schooler’s, Elizabeth
and Melissa.
P. E. teacher Carrie
Tomlinson is not coping well, still grieving over the death of
her lover which is straining her ability to care about and deal
with her special needs students. Audra Malone is the special
needs teacher who understands Carrie’s circumstances all too
well and hopes her role as ’best friend’ will turn into more.
Not much changes about life at Sterling Road High
School until Elizabeth tells the whole school over the loud
Row vs. Wade
continued from page 2
today teen pregnancy is becoming normalized with Palin talking about her daughter choosing to keep the child, magazine
cover stories of the 15-year-old sister of a pop star having a
child, and even a reality show about being 16 and pregnant.
So how many people showed up for this great discussion? After hundreds of announcements were sent out to
NOW members, other organizations, put on calendars, an-
speaker that she wants to marry Melissa. Suddenly, what
ought to be a simple case of love is the center of attention in
Charlottesville, then Virginia. Then everybody has an opinion
about who gets to love whom.
What I found most charming was the interaction between the Elizabeth and Ms. Tomlinson. The crisis created
by Elizabeth’s decision to ‘marry’ Melissa brings Carrie back
to living in the world, as opposed to occupying space, altering her perceptions sufficiently to overcome her apathy.
If this were a movie it would be along the lines of
‘Jack’. I highly recommend. When you purchase lesbian
books always buy the book new so the author can earn royalties for her work and continue to give us great books to read.
On-line Title: Permission to Recover by Cheyne Curry
Location on the web: http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/
chene_curry_permission_to_recover1.html
Second Lt. Dale Oakes goes undercover through basic
training and Military Police Law Enforcement school at the
behest of her friend and previous commanding officer Colonel
Anne Bishaye, to find out who, and why, the women are
pressing charges against the male drill sergeants and destroying
their military careers.
This excellent online story was voted in the top 25 five
times at xenafiction.net.
nounced on the radio and sent to individuals? Six.
I’m not ever going to get pregnant so it doesn’t affect
me, right? Wrong. Remember Martin Niemoller – “First they
came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I
wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then
they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left
to speak out for me.” Where were you?
Shaken & Stirred for Equality
LGBT Monthly Social every 3rd Thursday
Join One Voice Community Center and HRC Arizona for an evening of fun
and fellowship at our monthly social. Come find out what HRCAZ and 1VCC are
doing to support the LGBT community.
Mixer promoting equality starts at 6pm; event goes from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.
Snacks will be served and special social drink prices all night long.
Location: Kobalt Bar, 3110 N. Central Ave. Suite 125 Phoenix, AZ, 85012
30
Arizona Theatre Company
Presents
Lost in Yonkers
March 24 - April 10
Herberger Theatre Center
222 E. Monroe, Phoenix
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Box
Office, in person, or by phone at
602-256-6995
Meet the Kurnitz family. Grandma is the matriarch with a will of
iron and a hardwood cane who spared no rod in raising her four children. When her two teenage grandsons are forced by circumstances to
live with her for a year, the clash of generations and battle of wills leads
the whole family to learn important lessons about duty, devotion, trust
and love. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best
Play, and as comical as it is poignant, Lost in Yonkers is the masterwork
of Neil Simon's career and is certain to leave you spellbound with
laughter and tears.
Lost in Yonkers is the fourth show in ATC’S “AMERICA
PLAYS! Celebrating Great American Stories” series.
Click here for dates & times of
performances, or to purchase
your tickets online
BULLIED: A timely 'Must See' Film
For All Teenagers & Their Parents
PARADISE VALLEY, AZ -- The compelling film
Bullied will be shown free of charge at the Sanctuary at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix (UUCP) on Friday, March 4th, 2011 at 6:30 PM.
UUCP has been on the Valley's social action frontline
since 1961. Its recently-revived Interweave Committee
(LGBTQI and allies) is sponsoring this film showing as their
first public service event. Following the film, a panel of experts on LGBTQI youth and bullying will engage for a postfilm discussion. UUCP Interweave gratefully acknowledges
Southern Poverty Law Center for its generous gift of this
DVD.
WCC Theatre Night:
Saturday, March 26th
Bullied has received the highest critical acclaim and
accolades for its outstanding portrayal of the story of Jamie
Nabozny's groundbreaking lawsuit against his school district. It echoes the continuing problem of bullying that goes
on in high schools and including the world wide web,
whereby teenagers are bullied by their peers -- many times
with tragic consequences.
Organizations advocating LGBTQI issues have called
this film a must see for all gay teenagers and their parents, and
for all their allies who are deeply concerned about what is
happening to gay teenagers, such as the recent suicide provocations resultant from bullying.
"Bullied puts it right out there, front and center, as to
exactly what teenagers have to endure on a daily basis -- the
bullying that turns their already difficult lives into nightmares,"
31
Bullied
said Dean Clarke Taylor, Co-Chair of UUCP Interweave Committee which is sponsoring the film showing at UUCP. "After viewing this film, no one can plead ignorance of
continued from previous page
the plight of teenagers who are bullied," Taylor asserted. "BULLIED is a clarion call to
action to save bullied teenagers, specifically LGBTQI youth, from the disastrous consequences of bullying," Taylor added.
UUCP is located at 4027 E. Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Seating will be first come, first served. There will be
snacks and beverages available at nominal charge.
For more information, please contact Dean Clarke Taylor at [email protected]
Facebook Now Recognizes Civil Unions,
Domestic Partnerships
Sometimes, websites like
Facebook or Google make the tiniest change and it makes headlines.
This is one of those times. On
February 17th, 600 million member strong Facebook added two
new options to its list of relationship status possibilities: "In a civil
union" and "In a domestic partnership."
It's not that this change has
wide-reaching effects in terms of
usability or functionality, but rather
that it is an acknowledgement and
acceptance of newly adopted societal norms. It is a validation, by
the site many people use to define
themselves online, that same-sex
marriages, civil unions and other
non-traditional relationships have
reached a level that deserve recognition.
In some ways, it's actually
extremely surprising that it took
Facebook this long. After all, civil
unions and domestic partnerships
have both been around for many
years now and have even achieved
legal status in a number of states
and countries.
Of course, whenever
something new is added, it immediately calls into question why other
options aren't available. Facebook-
32
National Woman and
Girls HIV/AIDS
Awareness Day
National women and
girls HIV/AIDs Awareness Day
is a nationwide observance that
encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/
AIDS and awareness of it’s impact on women and girls.
Mary Kim Titla will be
the guest speaker, and free HIV
testing will be available.
When: March 11th, 9:00 AM to
12:00 PM
Where: Native American Service Building,
6th Floor, 4520 N. Central Ave, Phoenix
For more information, please contact Trudie Jackson, 602-279-5262,
Ext. #3206, or e-mail
[email protected]
33
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34
ASU Gammage
Presents
Fiddler on the Roof
March 29 - April 3
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ
Fiddler on the Roof, the Tony Award® winning musical that has cap-
Tickets
On sale at ASU Gammage
and
Ticketmaster.
1-800-982-ARTS(2787)
or www.asugammage.com
Click here for tickets
Performances
Tuesday through Friday:
7:30 PM
Saturday:
2:00 PM & 7.30 PM
Sunday:
1:00 PM & 6:30 PM
tured the hearts of people all over the world with its universal appeal, embarks on
its North American Tour.
Based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, Fiddler on the Roof has been
lauded by critics again and again, and won the hearts of people all around the
world. Filled with a rousing, heartwarming score, which includes “Tradition,”
“Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” “If I Were A Rich Man” and “Sunrise, Sunset,”
Fiddler on the Roof is a timeless classic.
No other musical has so magically woven music, dance, poignancy and
laughter into such an electrifying and unforgettable experience. Relive a glorious
tradition of the musical theatre with Fiddler on the Roof.
WCC Theatre Night: Tuesday, March 29th
Facebook
continued from page 31
alternative Diaspora alluded to this when it made gender an open-ended text
field rather than a multiple-choice question. Now that Facebook has gone a
step further with its relationship options, how will it handle gender definitions?
Will it remain binary or will it open up to more possibilities, as Diaspora did?
Facebook had this to say on the topic:
"This has been a highly requested feature from users. We want to provide options for people to genuinely and authentically reflect their relationships on
Facebook."
35
36
Stray Cat Theatre
presents
Octopus
March 25 – April 9, 2011
Octopus by Steve Yockey
Directed by Ron May
Tempe Performing Arts Center
132 E 6th Street in Downtown Tempe
Eight arms...one insatiable appetite.
Things are about to get wet. After young couple Kevin and Blake
engage in an adventurous and hastily planned night of group sex with the
older, more “experienced” Max and Andy, they are left trying to salvage their
relationship from a pummeling mix of jealousy, betrayal, telegrams from a soaking wet delivery boy and a ravenous sea monster from the ocean floor. This
universal love story rendered through a post-modern gay lens slips from domestic comedy into a darkly fantastic fable examining the role and depth of commitment in relationships and what it really means to say the words “I love
you.” “A fiercely imaginative and finely tuned new voice...[OCTOPUS']
tentacles tickle the funny bone, awake the mind and tug on the heart.” - San
Francisco Chronicle
Tickets
$20 for Adults in advance
$25 for Adults at the door
$15 for Students in advance (w/Valid ID)
$18 for Students at the door(w/Valid ID)
$15 for Seniors in advance (60+)
$18 for Seniors at the door(60+)
Thursdays are $10 Student Night!
Sundays are $12 for Everyone!
www.straycattheatre.org
WCC Theatre Night:
Saturday, April 2nd
*Please Note -- This production contains nudity and adult content.
Performances
Curtain is 8:00 PM Thursdays, Fridays,
and Saturdays; 2:00 PM Sundays.
37
Selected Works by olivia free-woman
Acadia Publishing, 2010
Review by Denise DeSio
I opened olivia free-woman's
Selected Works and rolled my eyes. The
first entry was a poem entitled "god". As
a humanist, I can't tell you how sick I am
of god, spirituality, church, and religion.
But a friend of mine gave me the book
and so I pulled my finger out of my throat
and committed to read a few pages so I
could at least be able to cite what I
hated about it if asked. I needn't have
worried. In five short stanza's I was
hooked, and it was with renewed commitment that I read all that
came after the last verse.
"In the interlude between birth and death,
What is believed matters only to the believer;
For all others the determination of our significance
Is in the rendering of our lives."
It is no wonder free-woman turned to writing. Her depth
of feeling and fathomless empathy for the anguish of others screams
for expression. Raw and brutally honest, her words grab you by the
throat and drag you out of your small, self-absorbed little world for
a taste of what it's like to be somebody else - the parents of a gangbanger, a woman whose life is controlled by her husband, a farm
worker, a sixteen-year-old girl with meningitis, a murderer.
For those of you who wouldn't mind a dose of good oldfashion unapologetic feminism, before it became politically incorrect,
you'll enjoy her set of feminist poems with fiery sentiments like, “Let
them burn! Let them burn! These institutions of men!” One of the
most powerful poems in the book, "He feels like a woman who has
been raped," reflects free-woman's outrage at a man's audacity to
make such a statement. She asks with almost palpable venom, "Do
you feel negated, hated, pissed on and pissed off with no where to
shove your anger but back down deep inside you?"
free-woman's ability to scour the depths of human emotion
makes for some pretty heavy reading, and it was with surprise that I
came upon a short section of poems for children that revealed a
lighthearted, playful side sure to delight young and old alike. Shnebly Cruthers, tells the tale of a boy who skipped breakfast and ate
all the paper in the school, much to his teacher's horror.
Even if olivia free-Woman's Selected Works contained
only her poetry, it would be a good choice, but bound together
with her poems are three plays and eleven short stories. One of my
favorite stories was the darkly comic "Meatloaf," a man's encounter
with a bubble gum chewing waitress who doesn't serve meatloaf on
Wednesdays. Of the main character, freewoman says: "Life was not his forte...As a
continued on page 39
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38
Community Outreach - PFLAG
Scholarship
PFLAG National scholarships available for 2011: $5,000 scholarships, $2,500 scholarships, $1,000 scholarships!
Review the following eligibility requirements:
● You are a graduating senior entering higher education for the first
time in 2011 (if you graduated in 2010 and took a year off you
are still eligible to apply).
● You self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)
or as a straight ally
● You demonstrate an interest in service to the LGBT community.
● You have applied to an accredited higher education institution.
● You are a U.S. citizen.
In order to be considered for a scholarship, you will need
to submit:
● A complete application form
● A one page essay
● A high school transcript
● One letter of reference
● A complete the release form
Application Process:
Send your high school transcript, letter of reference and
the release form in one packet to PFLAG National (see address
below).
PFLAG National
Safe Schools Coordinator
1828 L St. NW, Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
Submit your application and essay online (if you prefer,
you may submit a hard-copy of your application and essay). For
online submissions, you will be assigned a reference number; this
number needs to appear on the cover of your packet containing the
reference, transcripts and release form that you send to PFLAG
National.
The deadline to apply online for the PFLAG National
Scholarship is Friday, March 11, 2011. All supporting documents
must be postmarked by Friday, March 11, 2011.
For more information visit our website http://
community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=375.
The 2011 Phoenix Entertainment Books WCC Fundraiser
Packed with over $18,000 worth of local coupons:
• 526 Restaurant Coupons
• 193 Attraction Discounts
• 186 Shopping Coupons
• Over $15,000 in Travel Deals
• Movie Ticket Discounts
• And Much More...
Plus, with each book purchase you get online access to hundreds of additional
local printable coupons and incredible online shopping discounts not found in
the book. The amount of valuable discount coupons available will amaze you!
Clic
kH
ere
Books available all year! Over 150 cities!!
Support your community while you save money!
Great gift idea, especially for couples!!!
www.womenscommunityconnection.com
Proceeds benefit the Women’s Community Connection and the Lesbian Social Network
39
Nearly Naked Theatre
presents
The Blue Room
March 4 - 26
The Little Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
100 East McDowell, Phoenix
A vividly illustrated Freudian textbook: The erotic drive in action!
Two actors portray ten different couples in ten different sexual
liaisons, circling from the lowest members of 'society' to the highest,
and then around again to connect them all; a succession of characters
whose sexual lives enmesh like a daisy chain. A brilliant and witty
meditation on men and women, sex and social class, actors and the
theatre. The Blue Room turns sexual disappointment into something
more interesting... a sad, witty, funny and inevitably bittersweet idea
that what we are in love with is part illusion.
Recommended for mature audiences: Containing adult themes
and language, sexual situations and nudity.
WCC Theatre Night: Saturday, March 12th
Selected Works
Performances
Thursdays, Fridays,
& Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Sundays: 2:00 PM
Click here for tickets
continued on page 29
result he negotiated each day as if it were a swirling river, with rapids and sinkholes
intent on swallowing him whole." The ability to capture the essence of a human being
with such crystalline clarity is a gift that is reflected time and again throughout her
work.
Of the three plays, An Interruption was by far the most unique and creative, a play within a play that reveals the lives of two wives from different generations, experiencing different forms of oppression. Common Ground, however, was
my favorite for giving voice to the frustration of every lesbian who, after the death her
lover, has to deal with insensitive, disapproving "in-laws" so to speak.
Alas, olivia free-Woman has recently passed away, and this collection was
put together posthumously by her long time friend, and fellow writer, Dianne Post.
Pick up a copy, and a few more for holiday gifts for your friends. All Proceeds from
the sale of the books will go to the olivia free-woman Educational Scholarship fund
to assist students from Creighton Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ in their pursuit
of higher education.
Available at Amazon.com or www.acaciapublishing.com
40
CLASSIFIEDS
Bulletin Board ad rates: $5 for up to 50 words, an
additional $5 for up to 100 words, limit 100 words. Send
to WCC, 2544 N. Champlain Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281,
or e-mail [email protected].
Lesbian Dating sites! At the Women’s Community Connection, we’ve gathered all the online dating sites that have
a “woman seeking women” option, so you don’t have to
waste time finding them yourself. It’s fast & convenient!
Women are out there: whether you’re looking for friends or
dates, you can meet them through the WCC Lesbian Dating page.
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/lesbiandating
Do you need astrological advice, but don't want to pay
for a full astrology consultation? Try The E-mail Astrologer:
Affordable, issue-focused astrology at your fingertips: Ask
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Longer reports also available. These are not canned astrology software reports; the E-mail Astrologer writes them
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astrology-themed merchandise, and astrology articles covering a wide range of astrological topics. Over 25 years experience. www.theemailastrologer.com.
Carl’s Professional Window Cleaning: Experienced, reasonable rates, evenings & weekends available, free estimates. Phoenix & surrounding areas. A family business:
better prices, better service, cleaner windows! Call 602332-5453, or e-mail [email protected].
Volunteers Needed
for LSN
We meet every Friday evening, and are located in
the One Voice Community Center, at 725 W. Indian
School, Phx
It’s an easy job: you’ll set up the refreshments
and games, clean it back up at the end of the
night, and work the sign-in table.
Must be willing to be scheduled twice a month,
and be reliable and punctual.
Volunteers will get in to LSN free, even when
they aren’t scheduled to work.
If interested, contact
[email protected]