May 2009 - Women`s Community Connection

vol 11 #5
page 1
May 2009
Women's Community Connection
The only
exclusively
lesbian-oriented
publication in the
Phoenix area
It’s Friday – I must be in Algiers
By Dianne Post
I’m sitting in my balcony in Algiers watching the half
moon in a cobalt blue African sky. Thursday and Friday are
their weekend. Friday is the religious day so it is very quiet
indeed. They are a Muslim country with Islam the official
state religion, but in my experience, they are more Muslim
than Albania but less than Egypt. Alcohol is hard to find
except in hotels that cater to westerners. While my hotel is
government owned, they do sell alcohol including Algerian
wine and beer – albeit at very high prices. The terrace bar
is very funny – you can only drink the alcohol there i.e. not
take it to your room. If you want it in your room, you
have to call room service and pay more.
I am here for 19 days to do a needs assessment and
write a detailed work plan for a new grant. To do the needs
assessment, I have been meeting with loads of women –
both attorneys and NGOs (non-governmental organizations)
who work with women. As usual I am impressed with their
work. One was in the Parliament for five years, introduced a
bill requiring a 30% quota for women in Parliament and at
least one woman in the top three list positions. She also introduced a bill to make DV (domestic violence) a crime.
A Berber woman who works with rural communities
has a hotline, did 10 focus groups on marriage contracts,
organized tourism co-ops and trained traditional women in
villages to work on women’s rights. For the focus groups,
they divided the women by decades starting with the 18-28
year-olds. They were most against polygamy and concerned
about their daughters growing up under sexism. The next
decade was emphatically against violence in the home. The
next group said marriage contracts are a French thing and
we (Algeria) are not there yet. The 48 and over group were
naturally most worried about inheritance and security. The
findings are exactly what I would have predicted. The lawyer said the feminist movement was stronger before and the
exposure to the culture of the Gulf has
continued on page 2
Home Sweet Home
By JJ Esplin
Recently, I decided to move.
I needed an apartment and foolishly, I
assumed it wouldn't be any big deal. It isn't as
if I haven't moved before, but somehow I always seem to forget what kind of insanity it involved. I always think, oh, no big deal. Get an
apartment, get approved, move in. Simple
enough.
Yeah, right.
I started by checking out a variety of
apartments. Some were really creepy. I went to
one apartment where utilities were paid. To get
to the apartment I had to walk down a hallway.
Even at noon, the time I arrived at this luxury
dwelling, it was dimly lit and hard to see where
I was going. I could just imagine coming home
at midnight. It would be like crawling through a
dim cave. To top this off, the manager was rude
and made it clear that she didn't think I could
afford to pay her rent. No way, no how!
Others were just plain
continued on page
What's
inside
e-mail clubs…..page 6 & 7
ms. knowitall…..page 8
sports…..page 10
dining out…..page 12
calendar…..page 17
support groups…..page 18
spirituality…..page 22
amazon trail…..page 24
resources…..page 31
classifieds …..page 2
vol 11 #5
Friday in Algiers
page 2
continued from page 1
driven Algeria backwards.
In a meeting of activists and lawyers in Oran, they disagreed over whether to work on women’s rights or children’s
rights. A doctor who has worked for women’s rights for 20 years
said she has accomplished nothing and advocated working on
children’s rights instead. She described having to do examinations of women from behind a screen when she can’t even touch
the women and they can’t even talk to her but must make hand
gestures to try and communicate their symptoms. Women are
50% of the doctors in the country – no doubt because of the prohibition of non-related men touching a female. Another woman
talked about not being able to rent a hotel room after her divorce
because she was female.
One woman about my age said her generation of women
lived in a world completely different than this; “it’s like we lived on
another planet,” she said. They participated in the struggle for
independence in the 1980s and pushed against women’s subjection. They went to the university and took leadership positions.
But though she was one of them, she raised her own daughter to
be unequal. She said their participation in women’s liberation
cost them but it hurt worse to raise her daughter to be unequal.
Her daughter was at the meeting and in university studying law.
On the streets, many more women are not covered than
covered, though in rural areas more wear scarves and even further into the rural areas, more wear abayas and veils. The attorney I worked with is an Algerian educated in Paris. Her parents
especially father have been very supportive and all of her sisters
and brothers are professionals. Only one is an activist like her.
The Berber woman likewise received complete family support and
all of her siblings are in school or professionals. She too has one
brother who is an activist, or as they say – militant.
One woman we interviewed suggested we should not
address the meaning of Islam or Shari’a in our trainings but most
of the rest wanted to address it with Arab woman scholars and
debunk the interpretation by the fundamentalists. The most conservative woman feared it would divert the subject from violence
against women to whether women had a right to challenge men on
Islam. All but one agreed the family code was a problem and violence against women was real. The one who didn’t swore that
Algerian women were not mistreated and men spoiled them if they
had the means. She went on to tell us that as the head of an environmental NGO she received only one invitation to an event and
insisted on two so she could travel with her husband as required
by her religion. She said it is being respectful of culture not a
symbol of women’s subordination. She thought that women
brought on much of their trouble themselves. I wonder if she has
May 2009
From the publisher...…..
I just returned from Hawaii three days ago, and can’t
seem to get myself into work
mode yet. Not that I was lounging around on the beach or anything, but that’s not why I go.
My daughter Krista lives there,
and has for about 15 years, so Hawaii has long
since ceased to be a tourist attraction for me: I
just go to see my girls. Nia, my granddaughter,
is ten, and she was on spring break so we had
plenty of time to hang out and bond. She plays
volleyball and basketball, so we attended games
and practices, and I can’t wait to get her here
for a Mercury game!
It was beyond pleasant in Hawaii: 80
degrees every day and lots of ocean breezes.
Unfortunately, I arrived back in Phoenix just in
time for the first 100+ degree day of the year.
Vacation aftermath is brutal!
a different perspective because she works on environment not
directly on women’s rights.
My hotel must be a popular place for weddings - there
have been four when I was there. My room is directly over the
circular drive above the entry so all the black cars come blasting
their horns and pass just under my balcony. The room for dancing
is just below me to the left and the rai music goes on to the early
morning. Rai is a popular form of pop like music with a heavy
beat and social lyrics. During the years of civil war many rai singers were assassinated, but now it has come back. During every
party I have heard repeated trills from the women.
Watching the wedding party arrive is to see the contrasts
in Algeria – some women emerge from the cars in strapless
gowns that tightly outline their figures and then flutter daintily
above their knees. Others emerge from the same car in black
abaya’s with white scarves covering their head. The differently
attired women talk and laugh together as they enter the hall. The
men are in suits; only the hotel bell hops are wearing the voluminous trousers with folds of fabric hanging down the middle, a
cumberbund and fez. I would love one of those outfits, but I
wouldn’t dare wear it there as they are only for men. I only saw
four women with their entire face covered and slits for eyes. One
tried to cross the street and was nearly killed for lack of seeing.
Before a particular wedding party
continued on next page
vol 11 #5
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page 3
Friday in Algiers
May 2009
continued from page 2
on Saturday night, I had heard trilling in the distance for some time. The line of cars arrived to an explosion of Arab music with African drums – a great combination. When I
went out on the balcony to listen, a very heavy scent had been released from the jacaranda and bougainvillea by the cooling night. The roses in the garden at work also smell
strongly, unlike those in the U.S.
Police hover about every 20 feet as I walked the 30 minutes to work. Shortly I
found out why. The president’s house is next door to our hotel. The hotel used to be
someone’s house – more properly mansion or castle. It has sweeping entries, cascading
marble stairs, halls decorated with brightly colored tiles, fireplaces in the rooms, a beautiful garden with little fountains and smaller collections of brightly colored flowers at every
turn down the twisting path and a large swimming pool. The pool is open all the time as
is the gym, but the sauna and hot tub are open to women only from 12-4:30 p.m. and to
men from 5 p.m. to midnight. I guess they don’t expect that women work during the day.
It is also the hotel where Eisenhower stayed for nine months during the invasion of North
Africa in WWII.
The prices here are utterly ridiculous. The breakfast buffet is $23 and a pizza
and beer for dinner $18. At the same time, I can buy fruit and cheese enough for dinner
at a small market for $1.50 which is what I do. The fruit and vegetables are very fresh
and tasty – unlike the U.S. But you have to eat them right away or they spoil. At the office
they have hired a woman to come in daily and prepare lunch, each staff member throws
in $10.50 a week .It’s a bargain. The lunches are fabulous – always salad and French
bread with some kind of different main dish daily - a rice concoction with chicken, quiche,
a mix of cooked vegetables in a red sauce, pasta, or stuffed potatoes.
The weather is San Diego-like most of the year. Two or three days a year the
wind blows from the Sahara and it is like Phoenix – so says a guy from the American embassy whose parents live near the camel’s head of Camelback Mountain. During my visit,
it has been pretty warm - 100 degrees, which while cool by Phoenix standards, is warm
without air conditioners. The office has many windows and a good breeze but could use
some fans. My hotel room had a sad air conditioning system.
A few days before I left, we did a five hour seminar on international law. Though
it was hastily organized, we had 14 people including NGOs, women from other cities and
two men. The NGO women were definitely more militant than the lawyers. The most
heavily covered woman lawyer was also the most active and technically knowledgeable.
She also called herself a militant and privately told me her main interest in life is
women’s rights – a good lesson in not letting appearances deceive. Some pointed out
that judges like to say that women’s rights are western concepts that should be rejected
but the judges don’t reject the cell phone, computer or TV. And of course Mohammad’s
wife was a very rich and successful business woman (supporting his wandering about
and preaching) and he explicitly believed in equality. Cleopatra put on lip and eye color
long before men wore Rolex or carried cell phones. So what’s Western about equality and
lipstick?
I’m sitting in my balcony in Algiers watching the half moon in a cobalt blue African sky. I am from Muscoda, Wisconsin, a town of 800 people. My father did not go to
high school and my mother went two years late because her father would not allow her to
go so long as they lived on the farm. I, on the other hand, finished 4 years of college, 1.5
years of graduate school and 3 years of law school. There is change. There is hope.
Hope is a woman.
vol 11 #5
page 4
May 2009
STOMP returns to Tempe with new surprises
STOMP, the international sensation, is making its triumphant return to Tempe’s ASU
Gammage Theatre. The return of the percussive hit also brings some new surprises, with some
sections of the show now updated and restructured and the addition of two new full-scale routines, utilizing props like tractor tire inner tubes and paint cans.
“After creating new routines for STOMP OUT LOUD in Vegas, [co-creator] Luke
Cresswell and I decided it was time to rework elements of our main production, STOMP,” said
co-creator Steve McNicholas. “STOMP has evolved a great deal ever since its first incarnation
at the Edinburgh Festival. Every reworking has involved losing some pieces and gaining new
ones, but has always stayed true to the original premise of the show: to create rhythmic music
with instantly recognizable objects, and do it with an eccentric sense of character and humor.”
The changes that can now be seen in the tour of STOMP are the biggest since the late
1990s. A new piece “Paint Cans” evolved out of the “Boxes” routine in the Las Vegas show and
“Donuts” is a piece that implements huge tractor tire inner tubes, worn around the waist on a
bungee cord. For many years, the creators had looked for a STOMP equivalent of the Latin percussion instrument the guiro, a gourd-shaped open-ended instrument with ridges along the side
that are rubbed by a wooden stick to create its sound. The climactic trashcan sequence “Bins”
has been restructured to include a guiro-like new found instrument: strip-lighting recycling containers.
From its beginnings as a street performance in the UK, STOMP has grown into an
international sensation over the past fourteen years, having performed in more than 350 cities
in 36 countries worldwide. STOMP continues its phenomenal run with the ongoing sell-out OffBroadway production at New York's Orpheum Theatre, a North American tour, and two productions overseas - a London company and a European tour.
STOMP, an overwhelming success marked by rave reviews, numerous awards and
sell-out engagements, is the winner of an Olivier Award for Best Choreography (London's Tony
Award), a New YorkObie Award, a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatre Experience, and a
Special Citation from Best Plays. The young performers “make a rhythm out of anything we can
get our hands on that makes a sound,” says co-creator/director Luke Cresswell. Stiff-bristle
brooms become a sweeping orchestra; Zippo lighters flip open and closed to create a fiery
fugue; wooden poles thump and clack in a rhythmic explosion. STOMP uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – trashcans, tea chests, plastic bags, plungers, boots, and
hubcaps – to fill the stage with compelling and infectious rhythms.
Critics and audiences have raved: “STOMP is as crisp and exuberant as if it had
opened yesterday,” says The New York Times. The San Francisco Chronicle declares
“STOMP has a beat that just won’t quit!” The Los Angeles Times exclaims: “Electrifying! Triumphs in the infinite variety of the human experience.” “A phenomenal show! Bashing, crashing, smashing, swishing, banging and kicking – a joyous invention!” says the Chicago Tribune.
ASU Gammage
Apache Blvd & Mill,
Tempe
May 5 - 10, 2009
Performances
Tuesday, May 05, 7:30 PM
Wednesday, May 06, 7:30 PM
Thursday, May 07, 7:30 PM
Friday, May 08, 7:30 PM
Saturday, May 09, 2:00 PM
Saturday, May 09, 7:30 PM
Sunday, May 10, 2:00 PM
Sunday, May 10, 7:00 PM
Ticket prices vary according
to seating. See the ASU
Gammage website for details:
www.asugammage.com/
tickets.php
WCC Theatre Night:
Tuesday, May 5th
vol 11 #5
LGBT Families:
Conversations From Both
Sides of the Fence
1 Voice Community Center
presents a group discussion programfor LGBT parents with children, and heterosexual parents
with gay children! This group will
discuss topics of raising gay children, the gifts and/or the stumbling
blocks for parents who are gay raising children. The format for discussion is open and safe.
It will begin on Thursday,
April 23rd ,from 6:30 pm until
8:30 pm and will continue at the
same time on the fourth Thursday
of every month.
Facilitator: Barb Panos LPC,
LMFT, LISAC.
Cost: by donation
Please RSVP by clicking
here or calling 602.712.011.
Financial and
Legal Planning for the
GLBT community
Free event
Getting it Straight: Financial and Legal Solutions for NonTraditional Families will be held on
May 6th from 7-8:30PM, at the
Hilton Suites on 10 E. Thomas Rd.
Phoenix .
It is a free event, sponsored
by Echo Magazine.
Topics covered will include
political changes and economic
shifts affecting gay and lesbians,
and provide a useful framework for
one’s own planning. Attorney Michael Tucker and Melissa Myers, a
Certified Financial Planner, will be
hosting and speaking at the event.
Call 602-424-7503, for more information or to register, or fax 602424-7520.
page 5
May 2009
Book review
Daughters of Darkness –
Lesbian Vampire Stories
Edited by Pam Keesy
Review by Roni Hornstein
The second week of February every year
is the VNSA used book sale at the Veteran’s
Memorial Coliseum State Fairgrounds. I hadn’t
been to it in years, but this year managed to get
there and found lots of goodies. Amongst them
was Daughters of Darkness, Lesbian Vampire
Stories. I couldn’t resist. Being a long time fan of the genre; having
watched every episode of Buffy, Angel, True Blood, not to mention The
Hunger (Catherine Deneuve, Susan Sarandon, hmmm – OK back from
my fantasy), and just about any other vampire movie; and of course,
having read all of Annie Rice’s Vampire Lestat and Chelsea Yarbro
Quinn’s Saint Germain’s series, I had to buy this book.
This was an anthology with 10 stories in it, including the oldest
and possibly most famous, Camilla, from 1871. I was really surprised
to learn how long ago this story was written. As an interesting aside, it
is the prose form of a poem published in 1817 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge called Christabel. Reading it was interesting. They never actually
come out and use the word lesbian, but the connection between the
characters is obvious. This was the longest of the short stories and one
of the best written.
I really enjoyed Louisiana: 1850 by Jewelle Gomez. This story
captured the flavor of a time gone by, plus showed a compassion that is
often missing in this type of story. Not all vampires choose to kill to exist. This story takes place in a brothel and yet the young girl that the
vampire, Gilda rescues is protected and raised until she is old enough to
choose what life (or unlife) she wishes to live.
O Captain, My Captain by Karen V. Forrest was also very good.
This combined two of my favorite subjects, vampires and sci-fi. Plus, as
an added bonus, she managed to turn a supposedly straight woman to a
lesbian!
Not all of the stories were good. Some were poorly written and
the last one just didn’t even make any sense and I thought was a poor
choice for the final entry into the anthology. Had it been in the middle,
it could have slid by as just a so-so story, but as the last one in the
book, it did leave a little bit of a sour taste, and that was really a shame.
Pam Keesy, the editor of this book, wrote a very interesting introduction that was very informative not only regarding the history of lesbian vampires, but of the current trends as well. At the end of the book
there is a bibliography and a filmography for further reading and viewing
on this subject matter. I really had no idea there was this much out
there.
Obviously, this book isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s is niche
market type of thing, but I just happen to fall into that niche. If you do,
too, then check it out. Happy reading!
vol 11 #5
page 6
The WCC E-Mail
club
May 2009
AZ Unity in
Community
Lilith’s Voice
E-mail list
Connect
with other WCC
Arizona Unity in Community
members online!
(AZUIC) is an e-mail list with open
Join our e-mail club
membership for Gay, Lesbian,
and message board
Bisexual and Transgendered people
so you can get the
in Phoenix and the rest of AZ.
latest event updates
The purpose of the list is to
and last minute announcements
promote unity and communication
that didn’t make the print newsletwithin the WHOLE community,
ter’s deadline. The WCC e-mail
developing friendships and focusing
club will function as a supplement
on our similarities while becoming
to the print version. Use this
better educated about our
space to discuss or ask questions
differences. E-mail
about events you've read about in
[email protected] for more
the WCC, tell us what you'd like
information.
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.
Arizona Lesbian List
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!!
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]
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]
Check out the
new LSN
Meetup Group
on page 9!!
Lesbian Café
e-mail group
The Lesbian Café is
a place to meet and greet
women from all over the
valley via chat room, message board, and get togethers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Az_lesbiancafe/
vol 11 #5
page 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 email 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/
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.
Arizona Spiritual &
Metaphysical Sisters
AZSAMS is a "women who
partner with women" group formed
to discuss metaphysical ideas, topics and concepts outside of the
paradigm of structured, organized religion. In addition
to online discussion, we meet locally in the greater
Phoenix area for face to face conversations.
Our goal is to explore our various paths to
enlightenment by sharing the experiences, books,
teachers and guides that have influenced our lives.
This is a group formed with respect for all opinions.
This is a place for intelligent conversation, not doctrine.
Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
azsams
More E-mail Groups on page 15
May 2009
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]
Drag King & Queen Alliance
The Drag King & Queen Alliance of Arizona &
the Southwest is a group for performers and fans:
those of you who already perform or are interested in
performing drag, those of you who do it just for fun,
and anyone who is supportive of the drag community.
Our goal is to promote this wonderful performing art,
help other aspiring drag kings and queens to learn the
art, networking, and to list drag events and social
gatherings. Subscribe at: dragkingandqueenalianceofArizandsouthwest-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
Trailer Park
Lezbos
Calling all real,
down-to-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/
To subscribe: [email protected]
vol 11 #5
page 8
May 2009
Advice from Ms. Knowitall
Dear Ms Knowitall,
My friends and I are having a debate over
who should pay/pick up the tab when you are dating.
The debate is over that some think the
butch one should pay, some think the one who
asked the other one out should pay, some think
it’s the one who makes more money should pay,
some think you should take turns regardless of
any of the above. So the question to you is about
Lesbian pay etiquette when it comes to dating,
who pays for dinner and the movie?
Signed,
Who pays the dating bill?
Dear Who,
ROTFL!!! Ms. Knowitall got a real kick out
of this question.
The butch should pay? I bet a femme came
up with that one! The one who asked the other
one out should pay? Oh, great. That will cut lesbian dating in HALF! Not only does the potential
dater have to work up the chops to ask the woman
out, but she has to pay too? That doesn't sound
very fair. The one who makes more money.
Hmmm...that might work if both parties show up
to the date with a pay stub! And lastly, taking
turns will surely win you a T-shirt that says "Plays
Well With Others", but what if someone can't afford to pay for dinner and movie as often as the
other?
It's lovely to know that today's Lesbian is
concerned with etiquette of any kind, but when it
comes to paying the tab, there is no such thing as
who "should" pay. No one should get stuck with
the whole bill unless she so chooses - especially in
Looking for breaking news?
Visit our website:
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/newsfeeds
We have 13 newsfeeds, all updated daily,
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this economy. If one
person offers to pay
for the date, great!
However, when two
Lesbians go out on a
date, each of them
should be prepared to
pay her own way.
When the dinner bill comes, it's entirely appropriate to
say, "Would you like to do the math or shall I?"
The person who sets the tone like this can relax in
the knowledge that she definitely won't get stuck
with the whole bill, plus have a 50-50 chance that
her date might offer to.
Ms. Knowitall
Address your questions for Ms. Knowitall to
[email protected]. 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.
Announcement 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:
[email protected]
vol 11 #5
page 9
May 2009
Join the Lesbian Social Network
Phoenix Meetup group!
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/Lesbian-SocialNetwork-Phoenix/
1n10, Inc offers life-enhancing programs
for LGBTQ youth ages 14-22 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 602475-7456.
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.
vol 11 #5
page 10
sports
Team Arizona
Team Arizona is a resource network for the Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) athletes
throughout Arizona. Team Arizona provides for the sporting
development of the GLBT athletic community by providing a database of resources, a sports community
newsletter, and the leadership and expertise in the
various sports events at the International Gay Games.
Team Arizona sponsors the Arizona Spring Sports Festival, and raises and distributes funding to its GLBT
athletes through its Gay Games Scholarship Program.
Visit our web site at www.teamarizona.org for
complete details.
Contact Info
Phone: 602-408-4311
Mail: Team Arizona, P.O. Box 36341, Phoenix, AZ
85067
E-Mail: teamarizona @teamarizona.org
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/
GSRAZ's ride info hot line---(602) 420-RIDE
May 2009
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.
Rising Phoenix Motorcycle Club
Rising Phoenix is a motorcycle club for all-aged gays
and lesbians in the Phoenix, AZ
area. The club runs a nondiscriminatory policy and any motorcyclist who feels at ease with gay men and gay
women can join for free. For more information, see
our website at
http://www.azoutings.org/motorcycle/index.htm.
Frontrunners/Frontwalkers
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/.
AZ Dust Devils
The Arizona Dust
Devils is a gay and lesbian
social cycling organization
that promotes partnering for
road cycling, mountain biking, triathlons and adventure
racing. Visit their web page at http://
members.cox.net/
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/
vol 11 #5
page 11
May 2009
Lesbian bowling
League Of Our Own is
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 can visit out website at http://www.league-of-ourown.com/ or e-mail [email protected].
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, call 602-287-9573, email [email protected], or visit our web site at
http://www.cactuscities.com/index.html.
AZ Gay Volleyball
The AZGV is actively seeking women to
come out and play!
You don’t have to be skilled at volleyball to
participate. There’s a recreation division on Monday
evenings, for those of you who just want to have
some fun.
Monday Intermediate 6 person starts at 7pm
and Tuesday Advanced 4 person starts at 7pm.
Arizona Gay Volleyball will be hosting a 4 person tournament at Arizona Gay Pride and teams are
encouraged to start forming. Registration fees and
information are listed on the Arizona Gay Volleyball
See www.azgv.org for more information, or contact
Mareena Sweat, (480) 388-6655, or e-mail [email protected].
The Phoenix Sunfish is welcoming new members. We
encourage gay men and lesbians (and our supportive friends) to
come to a practice or two, meet us, and try us out. We practice
every Monday and Thursday evening from 7:00-8:00 PM at the
YMCA in downtown Phoenix, 350 N. 1st Ave (between Fillmore and
VanBuren). We also swim Saturdays 4:30 to 6pm at the ASU's
Student Recreation Complex in Tempe, at the NE corner of Normal
Ave and Apache Blvd.
Practice is FREE to all new swimmers on their first swim
with us! Thereafter the fee is $5 per practice (come when you're
able), or members may choose to get a monthly pass for $15 giving unlimited swims. Membership is $15 per quarter, or just $5
per month.
Our team is made up primarily of fitness enthusiasts,
although a fair number of swimmers will compete in triathlons or
United States Master's Swimming competitions. We welcome all
abilities in the pool, so long as you have at a minimum a basic
grasp of the front crawl stroke, aka Freestyle. We also sponsor
social events from month to month or sometimes more frequently.
This Yahoo! group is intended for internal communications within the team. We may ask those Sunfish members whose
email addresses we don't recognize to identify themselves. Please
refrain from requesting inclusion in this Yahoo! group unless you
are are registered member of the team. How do you register and
join the team? Come out and swim with us a time or two and see
if the team fits your needs; you can then sign-up in person.
Not sure if the team is right for you? Please don't hesitate to contact Coach Marty, [email protected] if you have
any questions.
The Phoenix Sunfish are members of the International
Gay & Lesbian Aquatics organization.
To subscribe to our yahoo group: [email protected]
Attention: women 35 & older
A group of ladies who refuse to act their
ages are forming a basketball league. We are
seeking women age 35 and over who love basketball. You do not have to be good at it.
We will start with fundamentals and
skill-building. Participants should be actively
involved in a regular exercise program and have
their doctor’s approval for this activity.
Contact Kelley Kimble at (480)2426747 or e-mail [email protected].
See complete
See complete
Phoenix
Phoenix
Mercury
Mercury
schedule on
schedule on
page 21
page 21
vol 11 #5
page 12
Dining out
East Valley Sunday
Coffee Group
The Sunday morning East Valley
Coffee Group meets every Sunday morning, from 10:30 AM till 1:00 PM, at
various locations in the east valley. For
location and info, join the group mailing
list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
East ValleyCoffeeList
1st Saturday Dinner
w/Friends
Westside coffee group
Join us at
the Mighty Cup
and Spoon CoffeeJoin us
house and Gallery,
on Saturday,
7021 N. 57 Ave,
May 2nd, at the
in historic downVincent Market
bistro, 3930 E Camelback Rd (West town Glendale,
every Sunday at
of bridge at 39th St.)
Market Bistro is located adja- 10am. Contact Ilese at:
[email protected]
cent to Vincent’s on Camelback.
Chef Vincent Guerithault is legendary
in Az as well as internationally for his unique blend of classic French
recipes with southwest ingredients. Market Bistro offers a simpler version of the same great food! Menu is inexpensive, FUN, interesting and
sure to please! It’s a cozy, intimate place with warm surroundings & lots
of charm. The casual ambiance is
comfortable and inviting. We will have the entire restaurant to ourselves!
Will include indoor and outdoor seating. Valet parking available. ($2)
Free parking at the convenience store next door. Separate checks for
each table (12 or less per table). Ladies bring your calculators! :)
Join us for DANCING afterwards...or Starbucks!
Seating. Is limited, so RSVPS are essential as well as cancellations if your plans change. An accurate headcount ensures a “quality”
dinning experience for all. To insure an accurate head count, please
RSVP with the first name and last initial of each person in your party.
THANKS!
RSVP: [email protected]
May 2009
Women’s Community Potluck
Pat McGee’s May potluck
will be on Saturday, May 18th, 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.
Eatin’ Out in the
East Valley
The
Eatin' Out in the
East Valley dinner meets at
various restaurants around the
East Valley. May’s location was not
available at press time. For more
information, e-mail Patty at [email protected] or (602)
809-8018.
No dinner date? Check out the WCC website’s Lesbian Dating Page:
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/lesbiandating
vol 11 #5
page 13
Restaurant Review
By Karina Sandweg
Pha Thang Long
414 S. Mill Ave , Tempe
Mon. – Thurs.: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri. – Sat.: 10 a.m. – midnight.
Sun.: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
(480) 968-2756
Fax (480) 889-5636
Lately, we have found ourselves walking down Tempe’s
Mill Avenue at night, noticing all the changes, some for the better,
some still to be determined. In the former category, we discovered
an enjoyable new Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Thang Long, on the
southwest corner of Mill and Fourth. Follow the dragon sign outside, and you will find a delicious array of dishes that are a welcome addition to the Mill experience.
We loved the Appetizers that included solid standards
and some surprising newcomers. We were delighted with the
Spring Rolls (Goi Cuon – you get two, sliced in half, filled with
poached pork, shrimp, lettuce, mint, and rice vermicelli, rolled in
thin rice paper wrap, served with peanut dipping sauce; $4.95),
which came artfully arranged on a beautiful plate, and that
scrumptious dipping sauce, which, in my opinion, you never get
enough. We also fell in love with their Vietnamese Egg Rolls
(savory mixture of ground pork, carrot, onion, taro, cellophane
noodles, and shiitake mushroom, wrapped and fried golden brown,
served with fish sauce; $4.95 for two or $6.95 for four); you wrap
the roll in the lettuce provided, then dip the little package in the
fish sauce. The combination of warm filling, crunchy exterior,
spices, fresh lettuce, and the striking fish sauce make for an outstanding experience. We did not care much for the Rolling Shrimp
(you get six shrimp wrapped and fried until golden brown, served
with fish sauce), probably because the shrimp were wrapped
thickly in the rice paper before frying, creating a stiff outside and a
burning inside. Of course, if you want to try all of these, you might
want to give the Thang Long Appetizer Special (2 spring rolls, 4
rolling shrimp, 2 Vietnamese egg rolls; $12.95), which usually is
cheaper during Happy Hour. It makes for a decent meal-sized
appetizer for one person, or a nice snack for two if you are in a
sharing mood.
From the main menu, we ordered the traditional Pho, the
Vietnamese beef noodle bowl, served with a side of bean sprouts,
jalapenos, fresh basil, and lime. We asked for the Pho Tai Chin
(with rare round steak and well done beef; $7.95), and after putting all the sides and sauces each one deemed appropriate, we
found a satisfying broth with perfectly cut meat slices and thin
rice noodles, all combined in our spoons to make our mouths sing
May 2009
with praise and regret that we could only eat one bowl at a time.
We fell in love with the traditional Bun, the Vietnamese spring
bowl, served over rice vermicelli noodles, with pickled carrots and
radish, lettuce, mint leaves, chopped peanuts, and a side of fish
sauce. We ordered the Bun with Charbroiled Meat and Vietnamese Egg Rolls (choice of beef, chicken, or pork –we chose pork;
$9.95), and this, in my opinion, was the best dish of them all.
Served in a platter that resembles a boat, the vermicelli and
meats come on one side, flanked by the lettuce and other bits, and
the fish sauce comes nestled in its own compartment, ready for
you to pour over the rest of the dish. This dish is not only beautiful, but it is gratifying. We could eat bun every day, and we would,
most likely, eat this bun if given a choice. One note of caution for
both pho and bun lovers: we had to ask for extra bean sprouts and
cilantro, seeing that they only brought a little with our dishes.
Finally, we also ordered the Saigon Pad Thai (chicken,
shrimp, veggies –onion, bok choi, carrots, broccoli, celery, water
chestnuts– over medium width rice noodles, in a sweet/sour
sauce, and heat level of your choice; $9.95), which was something of an interesting dish. We had this dish before and delighted
in the contrast of textures, flavors, and ingredients. This particular version comes with plenty of sauce, and that creates a wonderful opportunity to slurp and lick errant drops of gooey wonder.
If you are not careful, you will end up doing a lot of laundry later!
To help everything go down, we ordered Limeade (fresh,
made daily; $3.00), Coconut Juice (with some coconut meat;
$3.00), and the ubiquitous Coke products ($2.00). It all came
together so well, we will most definitely go back. You should give
Pho Thang Long a visit, and you will discover that great food can
be found at very affordable prices and in convenient locations.
Pho, anyone?
The Alternatives Health & Wellness Center, in
addition to classes in yoga (12 types!), Pilates, Fire
Spinning, and Meditation, offers several ongoing social events as well. Every 1st Saturday is Open Mic
Nightwith Paisley Yankolovich, 2nd Saturdays is a
Healing/Drumming Circle, and 4th Saturdays are
game nights. Every Sunday there’s a movie night, and
and on Friday nights, join the women of the Lesbian
Social Network (see ad on page 25). Alternatives is
also the location of the One Voice Community Center,
and the home of the One Voice Communiversity
classes. Details of all this and more are at The Alternatives website: http://www.explorealternatives.com.
vol 11 #5
page 14
Subscribe to the WCC
May 2009
Get connected to YOUR community
WCC Offers:
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vol 11 #5
page 15
May 2009
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 form 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. This group
is *NOT* meant to be a chat list.
Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WREN_E-List_AZ
East Valley Coffee List
This group was originally founded in June 2006 for lesbian women of all ages who
live in or around the East Valley to meet each Sunday morning at different coffee house locations, to be determined each week. The intent is to provide a safe, relaxed, social setting, in a
non-club, non-threatening, and non-intimidating atmosphere for women to meet and make
new friendships on their own terms.
Although we cater to the East and Southeast Valley in choosing our meeting locations,
we warmly welcome women to join us from any area! Our gatherings are always SMOKEFREE! and afterwards, there are always smaller groups of new friends getting together for
lunch, movies, or something elsewhere... so come ready for anything! It always feels like a party!
Home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EastValleyCoffeeList
AZ GLBT Puppy Park Pack
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]
vol 11 #5
page 16
www.explorealternatives.com
www.BestOnlineMall.Biz
May 2009
vol 11 #5
page 17
May 2009
Community Event Calendar
Ongoing Events
Sunday
Desert Valley Squares, page 26
East Valley Coffee Group, page 12
Movie night at Alternatives, page 13
Westside coffee group, page 12
Every Friday
LSN, page 25
1st Friday
PFLAG, page 18
Wednesday
Every Sunday
Friday
2nd Friday
LSN Bring a Friend Night, pages 1 & 25
Every Wednesday:
3rd Saturday
Bowling, page 11
LSN event night
2nd Wednesday
4th Friday
Simplicity Circle, page 26
LSN Movie Night
Ist Sunday
Sunday Women Golfers, page 10
Intentional Community Potluck, page 22
Saturday
Thursday
4th Sunday
Every Thursday
Spirituality Group, page 22
Every Saturday
Women in Tune, page 26
Valley 1 N 10, page 9
PHX Sunfish, page 11
PFLAG, page 18
1st Thursday
Monday
Rainbow women's book
group, page 28
Every Monday
4th Thursday
PHX Sunfish, page 11
It’s All
Here
3rd Sunday
1VCC Womens Conversation Salon, page 21
LGBT Family discussion group, page 5
3rd Monday
PFLAG, page 18
Eatin’ Out in the East Valley,
page 12
Tuesday
4th Tuesday
LGBT Families discussion, page 5
See complete
Phoenix
Mercury
schedule on
page 21
PHX Sunfish, page 11
1st Saturday: Dinner w/ Friends, pg 12
Midtown potluck, page 12
Open Mic Night at Alternatives page 13
2nd Saturday: HIV/AIDS support group, page 18
Healing/Drumming Circle at Alternatives page
13
Rainbow Fences, page 29
3rd Saturday
Community Potluck, page 12
4th Saturday: Game night at Alternatives, page
13
May special
events
Tuesday, May 5th: WCC Theatre Night, page 4
Friday, May 15th: PFLAG film/discussion series, page
29
Saturday, May 6th: LGBT Financial Planning & Legal
discussion, page 5
vol 11 #5
page 18
support groups
PFLAG
PFLAG
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.
Central Phx:
Church, 3535 E. Lincoln Dr.,
Phoenix (SW corner of 36th Street
& Lincoln/Glendale )
East Valley:
When: 7:00 PM on the 1st Friday
of the month
Location: Healing Waters Ministries, 225 W. University, # 105,
in Tempe
West Valley:
When: 1:30 PM on the 4th
Sunday of the month
Location: Lord of Life Lutheran
Church,13724 W. Meeker Blvd.,
Sun City West.
When: 7:00 PM on the 3rd
Monday of the month
Location: Palo Christi Presbyterian
Make new friends at
the Lesbian
Social Network!
See ad on page 25
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: Tuesdays, 6 to 7:30 PM, The Women’s Resource Center,
1130 E. McDowell Rd.
May 2009
Gay/Lesbian AA
Groups
The Casual Nooners: Meets every
day at 12:00 NOON, at the Lambda
Phoenix Center, 2622 N. 16th St.
(SW corner at Virginia).
The Late, Late Show: Meets every
night at 11:00 PM at the Lambda
Phoenix Center
Happy Hour: Meets Monday
through Friday, 6:00 PM, at the
Lambda Phoenix Center
Open Book study: Meets Sunday
at 6:00 PM at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
Traditions: Meets at 6:00 PM on
Saturday at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
Step by Step: Meets at 8:00 PM on
Sunday at the Lambda Phoenix
Center
Honesty: Meets at 8:00 PM on
Wednesday 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
Saturday Night Live: Meets at
8:00 PM on Saturday at the Lambda
Phoenix Center
Let Go and Let God: Meets at 8:00
PM on Tuesday at the Augustana
Luthers Church, 2604 N. 14th St.
Working On It: Tuesdays 7:30 PM
Al-Anon at Lambda 2622 S. 16th
St,Phx
vol 11 #5
Free LGBT Quit
Smoking Classes
page 19
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
The National
Domestic
Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Support
is just a
phone
call away
May 2009
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.
• In 5-15 years, stroke risk decreases to that of
someone who has never smoked.
LGBT support groups at The
Wellness Community
The Wellness Community offers LGBT
support groups for LGBT persons facing severe
illnesses. Groups are facilitated by Denise DAup,
and were formerly a program of the Lesbian
Health Project. For more information, visit their
website, http://www.twccaz.org/.
Local Gay/Lesbian
Web Sites
1 N 10: http://www.1n10.org:
Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of Commerce:: http://
www.gpglcc.org/
AZ Central Pride: http://
www.azpride.org
P-Flag: http://www.pflagphoenix.org/
Equality Arizona: http://
www.equalityarizona.org
GLSEN PHX: http://
www.glsenphoenix.org/
vol 11 #5
page 20
Release your expectations
By Paula Gregorowicz
As I write this article I am preparing to go to a
four day retreat. It is the third time my partner and I
have attended the Radical Aliveness retreat and this
sacred time and the community of women who attend have come to be an integral part of our lives.
This year in addition to participating, we are also in
charge of the food (nine meals for twelve women over
four days) and orchestrating all the pieces needed to
make that happen. With the memories of past retreats, my own desires for what I might like to have
happen, and responsibilities to serve the group, the
question then becomes - how do I release fear, expectation, and judgment?
Let's relate this jam packed night before my
retreat energy to something in your personal experience. Have you ever had a big family gathering
(holidays, weddings, anniversaries, etc.)? Have you
ever taken a trip that had a lot of anticipation around
it (traveling to a new country for the first time, honeymoon, first family vacation, etc.)? Can you remember
the first day of your very first job? The first day of any
new job? Moving to a new city? You get the picture...
any event or circumstance that was emotionally
charged and that you really want to have go
"perfectly".
Now in the quest to have this something go
"perfectly" did you find yourself stressed out, unable
to experience it fully, or totally wrecked when and if
something did not go according to plan? How did that
affect your ability to engage fully in the experience? I
know I have certainly had situations where I was so
tied to having things look a certain way and go off
without a hitch that I look back and cannot even tell
you what happened that day! I can't tell you how
many people spend thousands on weddings only to
look back and have no recollection of the reception.
What fun is that?! I know I have stressed, struggled,
planned, and executed until I was thoroughly exhausted and you know what? It would have gone just
as well and I would have enjoyed it much more if I
just let things flow and gave myself permission to let
go of all the self-imposed expectations and judgment.
Can you relate?
In Comfortable in Your Own Skin Coaching,
one of the secrets I share with audiences and clients
is the power of releasing fear, expectation, and judgment. When you're able to release your death grip on
the bar of these often paralyzing emotions you will
May 2009
find your life just opens up to tons of possibilities and
success. Good stuff just pours in. While it is not always easy to release the death grip, it is definitely a
simple and elegant practice. It consists of:
1) Feeling what you're feeling and honoring those
emotions
2) Getting clear on your intentions and what you
most want to have happen
3) Grounding yourself so you can access your wisdom
and confidence
4) Tapping into the courage that is within you (or
building that courage muscle) to take action (or saying no to taking something else on your plate)
5) Accepting the outcome and being ok with what IS
Like I said... it is simple, but not necessarily
easy! Yet, I'm here to say there is no one "right way"
to do this. If you are able to just get started with the
process, it'll go a long way towards you having much
more ease, joy, and happiness while also being tons
more effective and successful.
For me I get to practice what I preach once
again and learn the lessons even deeper. I notice
when and where I am getting bound up in overwhelm, anxiety, or expectation and remember that I
can let go of feeling like I need to control things or do
it all myself. I put forth my best effort and let go.
When I notice myself thinking too much about how
the retreat is going to unfold, what is going to happen, or some expected outcome that I want to see
take place, I acknowledge my feelings and intentions,
take a deep breath, and lean into the unknowing. As
in life there are no guarantees, the only constant is
change, and I can't control anything. It's about showing up fully, being present, and being in the flow. And
THAT is a recipe for a powerful and amazing experience whether for a weekend or a lifetime.
"Even though you may want to move forward
in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In
order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release
the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your
old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is
holding you back from a new life. What is it you
would let go of today? "
- Mary Manin Morrissey, author
Copyright 2004-2009, All Rights Reserved, The
Paula G Company™.
The Paula G Company™
Paula Gregorowicz
215-450-2549
http://www.thepaulagcompany.com
vol 11 #5
page 21
May 2009
Women’s Conversation Salon
1VCC presents a brand new program,
The Women's Conversation Salon. This monthly
event is designed for the women in the LGBT
community who enjoy stimulating conversation
and connection.
Join us for the Conversation Salon meeting on the fourth Thursday of every month at
6:30 PM, at the Clarendon Hotel, 401 W Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85013.
Come and be a part of designing the
kind of group you want and need.
For more information, e-mail
[email protected].
Website: http://www.1vcc.org
Get a Date! Make New Friends!
Fall in Love! Meet Women!
Get connected with the WCC!
Check out the WCC website's
Lesbian Dating page:
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/
lesbiandatingï
Home Sales & Property Management
May
Opponent
Time
Wed 27
@ Sacramento
11:00am
Sat 30
Seattle Preseason
7:00pm
Sat 06
San Antonio
7:00pm
Wed 10
New York
7:00pm
Fri 12
@ Sacramento
7:00pm
Sat 13
Sacramento
7:00pm
Wed 17
Minnesota
7:00pm
Fri 19
Los Angeles
7:00pm
Sun 21
Seattle
4:00pm
Tue 23
@ San Antonio
4:30pm
Thu 25
@ Washington
4:00pm
Sat 27
@ Minnesota
5:00pm
Wed 01
Sun 05
Wed 08
Seattle
@ Los Angeles
Chicago
7:00pm
6:30pm
7:00pm
Sat 11
@ Sacramento
7:00pm
Wed 15
Sacramento
12:30pm
Sat 18
Detroit
7:00pm
Wed 22
Minnesota
7:00pm
Sun 26
@ New York
1:00pm
Tue 28
@ Connecticut
4:30pm
Thu 30
@ Atlanta
4:30pm
Sat 01
@ Minnesota
5:00pm
Tue 04
@ Seattle
7:00pm
Sat 08
Indiana
7:00pm
Thu 13
San Antonio
7:00pm
Sat 15
@ San Antonio
5:00pm
Tue 18
@ Chicago
5:00pm
Fri 21
Washington
7:00pm
Thu 27
@ Los Angeles
7:30pm
Sat 29
Connecticut
7:00pm
Tue 01
@ Detroit
4:30pm
Melinda Murphy
Dorian Kreiling
Wed 02
@ Indiana
4:00pm
602.695.2900
602.694.4737
Sat 05
Atlanta
7:00pm
Thu 10
@ Seattle
7:00pm
[email protected] [email protected]
Sun 13
Los Angeles
12:00pm
Coverage
vol 11 #5
page 22
May 2009
Spirituality
Healing Waters Ministries
Healing Waters ministries is
a non-denominational Bible church
serving the heterosexual,
homosexual, and transsexual
communities. Services are held at
225 W. University, Suite #105
(SW corner of Ash/University). Dr.
Joseph Adam Pearson is pastor.
Sunday services begin at 9:00 AM
with bible study, the worship
service begins at 10:00 PM. and
fellowship on Wednesdays at 7:00
PM. All are welcome to join us in
worship.
Sitting in Spirit
Sitting in Spirit Spirituality Group with Dr. Dina Bachelor Evan
now meets monthly as a topic and study group on the 3rd Sunday of
each month, 3-5pm, by donation. Call for current book selection. Bring
your favorite list of books or topics that you would like to explore to lift
your spirits. Call for location. (602) 997-1200.
Intentional Community
A pot luck gathering for diverse people on the path that meets on
the 1st Sunday of each month –from 3-5pm. Requires a commitment to
be consistent in order to form deeper bonds and dependable mutual support. Open to everyone. By donation. Hosted by Dr. Dina Bachelor
Evan. The group challenges members to participate in monthly exercises
or efforts to strengthen our path and purpose. This is safe and growthoriented space for conscious people who want to play and grow with
other conscious people. Call for location: (602) 997-1200.
Trinity Center of New Thought
Sunday Services at the Trinity Center of New Thought are held at
10 AM in the Pergola Room at Dobson Ranch Inn, 1666 S. Dobson Rd.
Mesa, (just south of US 60) We are a gay and lesbian-friendly church.
Contact Rev. Jackie Garner 480-491-6707 for more information. You can also get more info at our website: www.tcnt.org.
The Community Church of
Hope, 4121 N. 7th Ave, has Sunday services at 9:00 and 11:00
AM. Please use the entrance off of
6th Drive. For more information,
call 602-234-2180, or check out
www.communitychurchofhope.com
LGBT friendly churches
Unity of Phx
Augustana Lutheran: 602-265-8400
Casa de Cristo: 602-265-2831
Church of the Beatitudes: 602-264-1221
Community Church of Hope: 602-234-2180
Valley of the Sun Community Church: 602-564-7895
Desert Palm UCC: 480-831-0065
Scottsdale Congregational: 480-946-2900
Shadow Rock Congregational: 602-993-0050
Soka Gakkai International (Buddhist): 480-664-3004
Trinity Center of New Thought: 480-491-6707
Via De Cristo United Methodist: 480-515-4490
Ashbury United Methodist: 602-553-8674
Faith Lutheran Church: 602-265-3394
Celebration of Life Presbyterian Church: 480-838-8550
Temple Emanuel (Reform Judaism): 838-1414
Interfaith Unity Church: 480-946-9481
First Congregational United Church of Christ: 602-258-6891
MCC: 602-864-6404
Interfaith Unity Church: 480-946-9481
Valley Unitarian Universalist Church: (480) 899-4249.
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].
Buddha Heart
Buddha Heart is holding a weekly meditation,
every Tuesday, at 7:30 PM at
the Alternatives Health and
Wellness Center, 4314 North
7th Avenue in Phoenix.
The group incorporates Buddhist meditation
practices that embrace body,
speech, and mind: chanting,
silent meditation, Kai Gong
(Buddhist Yoga) and Qi Gong.
No previous experience is necessary.
Wear comfortable
clothing. For more information, contact Rev. Carey
Avery, 602-275-6261,
[email protected].
vol 11 #5
page 23
May 2009
New Bible study group
This new bible study group is for any lesbian
who is curious about discovering what the Bible says,
has an interest in learning, sharing, studying, growing,
Soulforce is an interfaith movement committed to ending spiritual violence clarifying, dispelling fears and doubts and resentments,
perpetuated by religious policies and teachings against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
finding out where God fits in your life, etc…or if you
transgender (GLBT) people." Join our network of friends learning nonviolence from
would just like the opportunity to grow in your relationGhandi and King, seeking justice for God’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
ship with God and encourage other lesbians who want a
children.
relationship with God.
Spiritual violence is the misuse of religion to sanction the condemnation
You don't have to be a Christian, but if the
and rejection of any of God’s children. Misusing religion and/or God to support soci- doubt / curiosity / desire has been placed on your heart,
ety’s bias against sexual and gender minorities also inappropriately justifies psycho- please feel free to come investigate and explore.
logical, legal and physical violence against them. Some zealots blatantly articulate
The study will be held in Tempe on Friday
spiritual violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people when they
nights from 6pm to 7:30pm.
scream “God Hates Fags.” Mainline churches may be less blatant and more sophisWe'll start with the first 11 chapters of Geneticated, but they are no less guilty of spiritual violence. It is just as violent spiritually sis, then the group can decide where to go from there.
when pastors and parents—quoting scripture—condemn and reject members of
It's very likely you'll find a lot more to Genesis than you
their congregation and their family. When this happens, God’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, ever realized. The study of Genesis is fun, thought proand transgender children also feel condemned and rejected by their Creator as well. voking, and eye opening. It's also foundational.
E-mail [email protected] for more information, or visit our
Please email Tracey at [email protected] if you're
website at http://www.soulforce.org
interested in attending.
Dignity/Integrity
Dignity/Integrity Phoenix provides a welcome,
open environment for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender Catholics and Episcopalians, their families and
friends.
We believe that we can express that gift in
ways consonant with the teachings of Christ and with
the example of Christ. We are numbered among the People of God and
therefore have the same hope of salvation as all other baptized persons.
We believe it is our right, our privilege, and our duty to live in the sacramental life of the Church, so that we might become more powerful instruments of God's love working among all people. We exemplify this in
our Chapter where the center and heart of who we are is our celebration
of the Eucharistic Liturgy each Saturday evening.
Dignity/Integrity Phoenix helps our members deepen their selfacceptance, revitalize their spiritual lives and enrich their service to others. To accomplish this, Dignity/Integrity Phoenix conducts social, educational and political activities as well as programs of spiritual growth.
Meeting Times & Location
Dignity/Integrity Phoenix has weekly services each Saturday of
the month at 6:30 PM. Episcopal services with Integrity are held the
first Saturday of the month. Roman Catholic Masses with Dignity are
held the second, third and fourth Saturday of each month. Individuals
are welcome and encouraged to attend any of these services. All services
are held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2604 N. 14th St,, in Phoenix.
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
AVIV is a spiritual and social organization for the Arizona
GLBT Jewish community. For more
information, call 602-952-1612.
Affirmation
(Gay Mormons)
The Phoenix
Chapter of Affirmation
for gay Mormons invites you to check out
our website and join
in our meetings and
activities.
If you need to talk about being Mormon and gay, Phoenix Affirmation holds a
meeting geared towards newcomers on the
first Sunday of every Month. Check out the
Calendar on our website for more information.
If you need to socialize and make
new friends, Phoenix Affirmation hosts a
party/activity usually on the third Sunday of
each month.
For more information, visit http://
www.phxaffirmation.com/, or call 602- 553 8674.
vol 11 #5
page 24
The Amazon Trail
Wake Up and Smell the
Homophobia
By Lee Lynch
When mega-store amazon.com revealed its
true opinion of gay literature by stuffing all of us into
the adult book category (read: erotica), I was not
surprised. What did surprise me was the shock wave
that went through our community. It wasn’t news
that what we write is viewed as only sexual in content any more than it’s not news that lesbians and
gay men are seen through the filter of our sexuality.
I learned this lesson over and over when I
tried to work with and learn from non-gay writers. At
a seminar given by a respected editor and writer, I
presented a feature article about an artist. When it
came time to critique it, I was advised to emphasize
the artist’s bisexuality and the conflict between her
prior marriage to a man with her current preference
for women. That was the story to the teachers and
students, not her art, not her accomplishments, just
her sex life. In reality, she had no conflict; in their
heterosexual eyes, there had to be one.
Then there were the writing classes I took at
the local community college. The teacher was a
mainstream writer with many works of fiction and
movie scripts to his credit. He was not an unsophisticated man. I was one of two lesbians in the class,
both of us published. This non-gay teacher could not
refer to our work without calling it erotica and harking back to the days when he supported his family
by writing pornographic stories. If I did write porn,
maybe I could support my family too.
And always, the straight friends and acquaintances who’ve told me I could be doing so
much more with my writing; who, with concerned
kindness, suggest that I write about regular people.
How could anyone be surprised by what
amazon.com did? Just reading the headlines should
tip us off that fear of gays is alive and well.
Hateful Bigotry is the title of an editorial in
the Alaska Daily News. It criticizes Governor Sarah
Palin’s choice for attorney general, Wayne Anthony
Ross. It appears that Mr. Ross is willing to swallow
his very conservative personal feelings about a number of issues, but not about us. He calls us
“degenerates.” This may just get him into the top
May 2009
legal job in the state.
Then there is the homo-cide happening in the
name of government and religion. Posters around a
slum in Baghdad threaten, “We will punish you, perverts.” Anti-gay groups in Iraq are credited with murdering six gay men and leaving the word pervert on
their chests. “On Top Magazine” reported that antigay feeling is fostered by clerics and possibly by the
Iraqi government through newspapers and television.
Back in the states, “Death by Bullying” was
the headline when 11 year-old Carl Joseph WalkerHoover hanged himself in April. His mother said he
was bullied at school by classmates who told him he
acted like a girl and was gay. Despite his mother’s
complaints to the school, the child was not adequately protected or defended. Two years ago, in
Ohio, Eric Mohat, 17, shot himself to end the taunts
of "gay," "fag," "queer" and "homo." His parents are
bringing suit against his school.
The good news is that we the gay people
have demonstrated that we recognize the slurs. Once
we accepted discrimination as a matter of course.
We wrote ourselves off as all the negative words
non-gays, and sometimes closeted gays, flung at us.
This time, we didn’t look the other way when an invisible hand at amazon.com tried to erase us. We
tweeted, we Facebooked, we texted and made calls
to one another, the offending company, our legislators, our newspapers. And those of us who dared,
even confronted the bullies with our appropriate,
constructive, healthy anger.
At last we are being listened to (as if amazon.com could ignore our outcry). There are no losers in all this. A lot of people have learned something. My hope is that non-gays are more aware of
the brutality of prejudice and, whether that prejudice
is trumpeted for fun or profit or votes, it will no
longer be tolerated. For this queer person, it’s important to remember that, despite the recent rash of
marriage and civil union victories, there’s a lot more
work to be done. Maybe, as each of us, in her/his
own way, stands up and protests, we have found the
best method to both teach – and learn -- acceptance.
Copyright Lee Lynch 2009
Lee Lynch has written/published a dozen lesbian –
themed books, including novels, short story collections, and collections of her early columns. Also, her most recent book, The Butch
Cook Book, Edited by Lee Lynch, Sue Hardesty and Nel Ward, is now
available at: www.butchcookbook.com.
vol 11 #5
page 25
May 2009
Lesbian Social Network
Every Friday,
7:30 - 10:00 PM
Admission: $5.00
Alternatives
Health & Wellness Center
4314 N 7th Ave, Phx
(Includes refreshments)
The alcohol-free alternative to meeting people at the bars
Join us for games, lively discussions, special guests,
exceptional events, unique theme nights, lesbian movies,
fun & laughter, & MORE!!!
3rd Fridays are when we schedule special events & theme nights
2nd Fridays are Bring a Friend Night
(bring someone who has never been to LSN, and they receive 1/2 off the admission fee)
Games & lively conversation every Friday
(no matter what else is going on)
For more information, visit the WCC website:
www.womenscommunityconnection.com/LSN
Or e-mail [email protected]
vol 11 #5
page 26
Desert Valley Squares
The Simplicity Circle
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/.
Loved ones overseas?
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 ravens-
[email protected].
May 2009
The Simplicity Circle meets the second Wednesday of the
month. "Sustainability, not better weapons or struggles for power,
or material accumulation, is the ultimate challenge to the energy
and creativity of the human race... how to bring about a society that
is materially sufficient, socially equitable, and ecologically sustainable, and one that is more satisfying in human terms than the
growth-obsessed society of today." - Meadows, Meadows, and
Randers.
For information, call Carey at (602) 275-6261 or Jo at
(602) 482-2875.
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 602487-1940.
The E-Mail Astrologer
Affordable, issue-focused astrology
Do you have a burning question that you think an astrologer could help you
with, but don’t want to pay for a full scale astrology consultation?
The truth is, most people have a particular concern in mind when they consult an
astrologer. Why not skip the issues you aren't particularly interested in, and get right
to the point?
Love Money Career Family Issues Anything at All
Ask any question, and you’ll receive a 2-page report for only $25.00
Larger reports also available
25 Years Experience
Sherrie Nist, Astrologer
[email protected]
www.TheEmailAstrologer.com
vol 11 #5
page 27
Now there’s a social networking site just for LGBT people:
GLEE (Gays, Lesbians, & Everyone Else). GLEE is a “My Space” type
of social networking site, and a great place to make new friends.
Like other social networking sites, GLEE has groups. Any-
Home Sweet Home
continued from page 1
scary, the kind of place where I could just picture myself getting
mugged at noon.
I finally settled on one owned by someone I already knew,
who was willing to give me a break on the deposit and first months
rent. The apartment seems nice, it is owned by a lesbian I know and I
don't feel like I'm going to get attacked coming home at midnight.
After significant negotiations we settled on pretty good terms for the
place. The fee for unplugging the toilet if I've stuffed unnatural items
in it is $25. We discussed making it $50 if it was a dildo, but finally
decided not to put that in writing.
My new landlord gave me an apartment-sized washer and
dryer, so on the hottest day so far this year, we set out of move it
from one of her other apartments to mine. We should have had this
on tape. It would be great on the internet.
We didn't really have a dolly that was big enough, but we
finally got it out of the old apartment, through the parking lot and up
the curb cut to the sidewalk in front of my new apartment. By this
time, my legs already looked like I had been beaten up. It was then it
dawned on us that there were two steps we would have to negotiate
to get it in and there was no way that was happening with the dolly
we were using.
The only person we could find to help us was an older man
who has COPD. Luckily, however, he did have a bigged dolly and with
us pulling and pushing and him stabilizing, we got the washer and
dryer ito my apartment. I felt like I had run a marathon.
Then I started setting up all the accouterments of my new
dwelling. I contacted our local cable monopoly and asked how much
it would cost to set it up. They told me that if they Fed Exed me the
package it and I set it up myself it would run about $15. If they sent a
guy out it would cost more. Cool, I thought. I can set it up myself. It
isn't brain surgery, after all. What they didn't tell me was that Fed Ex
would only schedule deliveries to my neighborhood in the middle of
the day, when I'm at work and that I would have to sign for the package, so it couldn't be left with anyone else.
May 2009
one can create one, and there’s something for everybody, whatever
your interests may be. I’ve created the group Lesbian Social Network
Phoenix, which is intended to be the online counterpart to the Lesbian Social Network (LSN) group that meets every Friday (see page
25). Share information, freely discuss anything you feel moved to talk
about for any reason, make new friends, and just have fun!
Many of you will want to meet your new friends in person,
and I’m hoping that the Friday night LSN group will be a vehicle to do
just that. You can meet as many women as you want at the same
time! I’d like to see the two LSN groups operate interactively, with
many women participating both online and in person.
To become a part of GLEE, visit www.glee.com and register. Once you’re a GLEE member, you can join as many groups as you
want: the URL for Lesbian Social Network Phoenix is http://
groups.glee.com/lsn.
Three days in a row, they left it at 2 pm. Come on, how
many people are home at 2 pm on a weekday? So, I called Fed Ex and
said I needed to schedule a time for them to deliver my package
when I would be home. They said they would be closed Monday.
(Note, nothing was said about possibly delivering it Saturday and it
didn't occur to me to ask). I asked if I could have it delivered after 4
pm on Tuesday. The nice young woman said, "I can't guarantee that,
but I will try to set it up."
On Tuesday (now 10 days after I ordered my package from
the cable company) I hurried home so I would be sure to be there
when my package arrived. About 7 pm I happened to look out my
window and saw a Fed Ex truck. I was excited. Finally, I was rejoining
the 21st Century! I rushed to get my ID. When I came back, the Fed
Ex truck was gone. I never got my package Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, however, I woke up at 6 am to a
call from a Fed Ex driver who informed me that Fed Ex doesn't deliver
after 2 pm in my neighborhood and I would have to make other arrangements. After scraping myself off the ceiling in a paroxysm of
rage, I told him I was going to come get the damned package myself
and told him to make sure the package was set aside. He told me the
address was at 35th Ave and Buckeye. I live at 32nd Street and
Greenway. He told me I could pick it up between 7 am and 4:30 pm.
I rushed to my car and drove to 35th Ave and Buckeye. I
arrived about 7:15. The front office was closed and the sign said they
didn't open until 8 am.
By this time I was more than a teensy bit pissed off. I went
to the deliver dock and asked about the package. They said I will
have to wait until 8. I said I was told I could pick it up a 7 and I was
tired of being jerked around. After considerable discussion, I got my
package and happily cruised on home.
It was then I found out that my moniter was dead. Some
days you just can't win, let me tell you!
So, now I am finally settling in. I have joined the ranks of
the DVRed and am already addicted.
So, next time you see me, congratulate me on my new digs.
I'm finally home.
vol 11 #5
Phoenix Dykes on Bikes
e-mail
group
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.
To join, go to [email protected].
Also visit our website,
www.phoenixdykesonbikes.org
for information on upcoming
rides.
page 28
May 2009
Rainbow
Women’s
book
group
The Rainbow Women's Lit.
Book group, a lesbian book group,
is scheduled to meet the first
Thursday of every month at Changing Hands book store (SW corner of
McClintock & Guadalupe, Tempe),
at 7:00 p.m. The group will read
and discuss both fiction and nonfiction. Selections will not necessarily be by or about lesbians. This
group is a great way for lesbians
with similar interests (reading) to
connect outside of the bar scene.
For more information, visit
www.changinghands.com or email
Joanna at [email protected].
vol 11 #5
page 29
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.
God Hates Shrimp?!
May 2009
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://www.glsenphoenix.org/about/phoenix.html
or 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/
Challenging Traditional Teachings on Gays by the Church
A Film-and-Discussion Series
Sponsored by: PFLAG Phoenix (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians & Gays)
Hosted by: The Oasis Film Group at Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ
When: Every 3rd Friday, 7:00pm, January – May, 2009
Where: Scottsdale Congregational United Church of Christ, 4425 N. Granite Reef Rd.,
Scottsdale (just south of Camelback Rd.)
Why: To create dialogue and understanding among people of faith, gay and lesbian
individuals, their families, friends, and the greater community about issues of faith
that sometimes divide us. Please note: ALL of our selected films are positive
(although they may touch on some difficult issues at times) and will leave you feeling
good about the world's prospects.
Cost: $5.00 donation appreciated (to help cover our costs), but not required
Food: Following each film we'll move to the Fellowship Hall for the after-film discussion. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
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. They meet at the Scottsdale Civic
Center Library, 3839 Drinkwater Blvd,
in the Silver or Gold Room from 6:308:30 pm., the second Wednesday every
other month.
Website: www.phxscottsdalenow.org/
vol 11 #5
page 30
Have you or a family
member or friend been
touched by breast cancer?
ASU Breast Cancer project needs participants
We want to hear your stories ....We are talking with Mexican, Mexican American, and African
American women about their experiences and feelings
in receiving breast cancer treatment. The project involves a one-hour interview & and filling out a 20
minute questionnaire. All information you provide will
remain completely confidential. No names or other
Facing Cancer Together: LGBT
couples, family, and friends
Monthly Workshop/Support Group at
The Wellness Community Spotlights Unique
Challenges Faced by LGBT Individuals and
Loved Ones Living with Cancer
Members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered
(LGBT) community face special challenges when they—or a loved
one—are confronted by the devastating physical, emotional and
spiritual effects associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What are the best tools and strategies partners, caregivers and family members can utilize to support their loved
ones during a time of crisis? How can LGBT
individuals draw the strength and comfort
they need from their most important relationships to regain their health and recover their
sense of well being? What can LGBT couples
do to preserve and strengthen the relationships that inspire and sustain them?
All members of the LGBT community are invited to attend one—or all—of the
eight sessions comprising this special LGBT
support group/workshop program, which runs
from February through September on the 2nd
Thursday of each month. The sessions will
include a range of structured activities, such
as writing exercises, expressive art and interactive exercises for couples. Each event will
focus on a different issue:
May: Reshaping relationships to meet
May 2009
identifying information will be used. The interview
can take place where you feel most comfortable, such
as your home, or where ever you prefer.
Your participation in this project is completely
voluntary and may help other women who have
breast cancer. It will not affect any health care you
receive now. You will receive a free $20 gift card to
Walmart for your help. If you are interested or want to
hear more about the project, please call the number
below.
You may be part of this project if: You are
Mexican American or African American, age 35- 6, &
have been diagnosed with breast cancer
If you would like more information, please call
Dr. Maureen Campesino, ASU College of Nursing,
(602) 496-0804
new demands/needs
June: Importance of communications
July: Seeking and receiving support
August: Spirituality
September: The role of humor
WHERE: the grounds of The Wellness Community, 360 E. Palm Lane
near downtown Phoenix. RSVP requested.
WHEN: Monthly series continues on April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9,
August 13 and September 10.
WHO: Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered couples, family,
friends and caregivers whose lives have been touched by cancer are
invited to this monthly series of support group and workshop events.
CONTACT: For more information and/or to RSVP, please contact The
Wellness Community at 602-712-1006 or visit www.twccaz.org.
vol 11 #5
page 31
May 2009
Community Resources
To be included in this list please contact us at
[email protected], or call (480)946-5570.
INFORMATION:
Women’s Community Connection, Newsletter/Community Calendar,
2544 N. Champlain Ave., Tempe, AZ, 85281, (480)946-5570,
[email protected],
website: www.womenscommunityconnection.com.
SOCIAL GROUPS:
Lesbian Social Network: [email protected]
Desert Adventures: Indoor/Outdoor social activities (602)266-Camp
(2267).
Desert Valley Squares, Ltd.: Lesbian/Gay Square Dance Club, PO Box
34615, Phx 85067. Contact Linda at (623)932-9022,
[email protected].
Desert Hearts Motorcycle Club: Monthly rides. Deb at (602)279-9228.
Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce., Business
Arizona Amazons: BDSM women's organization. We are a group of
Arizona women with a positive interest in safe, sane and consensual
BDSM lifestyles. E-mail [email protected], or AzAmazons-
[email protected]
Webpage: http://members.aol.com/arizonaamazons, or join our email
list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AzAmazons.
Latina Social Group, Contact Anita at (602)692-9790 or e-mail [email protected].
SUPPORT NETWORKS:
Women Veteran's Support Network: VIRAGO!, PO Box 1171, New
Market, VA 22844.
Rainbow Alliance: meets Tuesday at 7:30 PM in the Memorial Union at
ASU. Contact (480)965-9756.
Lesbian & Gay Alanon: 2262 N.16th Street, Phx, 85006, (602) 4302831
POLITICAL GROUPS:
Equality Arizona: http://www.equalityarizona.org
Arizona Central Pride: Phone: (602) 279-1771
Democratic Party Stonewall Caucus meets the 4th Wednesday of every
month. For location and time contact Wally Straughn, 602-864-6092
or e-mail [email protected]
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS:
Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church: 1029 E. Turney, Phx (602)2652831.
CCL/Conference for Catholic Lesbians: Donna (480)947-8187 (Phx
area) or Pat at (520)326-8379 (Tucson).
Dignity/Integrity: PO Box 34561, Phx 85067-4561. 623-772-6999
Gentle Shepherd MCC: 2604 N 14th St, Phx, 10:30 AM Sundays Information: 602-864-6404 or www.gsmcc.org.
Goddess Womyn Network: Call (602)271-9019.
Healing Waters Ministries: 225 W. University Dr., Tempe 85281, (480)
894-8681.
Lutherans Concerned: Phoenix, Frank (602)870-3611
Aviv (Jewish lesbian & gay Havurah) P.O. Box 7313, Phx, Az 85011.
Infoline: 602-952-1612
Trinity Center of New Thought: 10 AM Pergola Room,
Dobson Ranch Inn, Mesa, call 480-491-6707.
In His Steps Christian Fellowship, call (602)209-8155.
Community Church of Hope, Sunday, 9 and 11 AM, 4121 N. 7th Ave
(use 6th Drive entrance) Phoenix, (602)234-2180.
Affirmations (Morman), (602)553-8674
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, 4027 E. Lincoln Drive,
Paradise Valley, (602)840-8400.
Hand of Love Ministry, 6605 N. 14th St, Phoenix, (602)264-1470.
Buddha Heart USA: Carey Avery (602) 275-6261
Faith Lutheran Church: 801 E. Camelback, Phx. 9:15 AM Sundays,
602-265-3394, http://www.faithalive.com/home/index.htm, E-mail:
[email protected]
Temple Emanuel (Reform Judaism): 838-1414
First Congregational United Church of Christ: 602-258-6891,
www.phoenixucc.org
Interfaith Unity Church: 480-946-9481,
www.interfaithunitychurch.com
Valley Unitarian Universalist Church: 6400 W. Del Rio St,Chandler,
85226. Phone (480) 899-4249.
WCC needs your help to keep this page current
and as complete as possible. If you know of
any community resource that is not listed here,
please e--mail
[email protected].
Also let us know if you try to contact a listing
and our information is no longer correct.
vol 11 #5
page 32
May 2009
classified
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].
Community College students: Do you want to earn credit for volunteer work? Be an
intern for the Women’s Community Connection! It’s fun, educational, and gets you
out of the classroom. So far I’ve had students from the Scottsdale and Mesa Community Colleges, and they’ve done great. Journalism doesn’t even have to be your
major; you can do work projects as general electives. Interning at a small press like
the WCC insures that you’ll be involved in all areas of the publishing process. For
more information, contact [email protected].
Subscribe to the Women's Community Connection, the only exclusively lesbian oriented print publication in the Phoenix area! The most comprehensible listings
available of groups, organizations, events & activities of interest to local lesbians.
To subscribe, send your name and address, and $20 for 12 issues, or $35 for 24
issues, to WCC, 2544 N. Champlain Ave, Tempe, AZ, 85281. You can also subscribe
from our websit: www.womenscommunityconnection.com. You won't miss a thing
that's going on in the AZ lesbian community when you subscribe to the WCC!!
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
The Lesbian Social Network is the place to be on Friday nights! LSN meets every
Friday, from 7:30 - 10:00 PM, at the Alternatives Health & Wellness Center/One
Voice Community Center (they're in the same place), 4314 N 7th Ave, in Phoenix.
Details and directions at www.womenscommunityconnection.com/LSN
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 any question, receive a 2 page response for only $25.00. Longer reports
also available. These are not canned astrology software reports; the E-mail Astrologer writes them personally, just for you! Individual or relationship consultations.
You'll also find an astrology forum, an e-mail group, astrology-themed merchandise,
and astrology articles covering a wide range of astrological topics. Over 25
years experience. www.theemailastrologer.com..
Looking for someone? The Desktop Investigator can help! If it's a matter of
public record, it can be found. People searches, background checks, criminal
histories, employment histories, marriage & divorce records, birth & death
records, bankruptcies, judgments, & liens, and any kind of court records, both
state & nationwide. Extremely reasonable prices. E-mail [email protected] for
more information.
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 602-332-5453, or
e-mail [email protected].
Dancing . Fun . Romance.
Music from the 60's to Today
For Phoenix Area Lesbians, age
35+ (and those that love us!)
Every 2nd Saturday
5:30-9:30 PM
$10.00 admission
The Cherry Pit, 411 S Mill Ave, Tempe