Womonspace News: Our Voice in the Lesbian Community: Apr 1994

14 Pages·1994·4.1 MB·English

ae s
-((WoMoNSPACE
APRIL 1994.
EDITORIAL Speaking of flattery, someone at Gaywire -
liked my March editorial enough to read 3
from it on the air. (I won’tsay whodidit
Lindy Pratch
because she didn’t mention Womonspace ee
One of the most intriguing aspects of News either!). Glad to know you’re reading
lesbian culture is how difficult it is to define. this. a
This isn’t surprising, since we encompass And speaking of our readers, thanks to all |
such a broad spectrum of the population, of you who have supported this newsletter =
crossing ethnic, age, racial, religious, and by being Womonspace members. We ‘|
economic lines. Sometimes it’s easier to distribute a limited number of free copies, — 4
identify our culture by the elements of it that trying to reach as many new womena s ;a:e
are appropriated by white, heterosexual possible, but if you like it enough to want to
society. Sensible footwear is now high read it again, please subscribe!
fashion, and many female feet are thankful!
Fashion models in masculine attire and short
haircuts assume dykey poses, with maybe a SUBMISSIONS a:
motorcycle or a pool table in the picture.
These models are wearing traditional WANTED!
feminine make-up, of course, and the clothes rf
are subtly altered too, sanitized into
acceptability, but we still recognize “the ae l
Letters to the editor, reviews of books,
look.” Aasie ae
movies or music, artwork, poetry, cartoons,
Imitation may very well be flattery in.
and any other writing of interest tolesbians
some cases, but I think this fashion thing is
will make us very happy. We welcome your __
just a way for bored people to experience a
input! Send your submissions to Womonspace
daring thrill. Adopting the dress of a
News, basement 9930-106 Street, Edmonton, Be
minority group (before it becomes commonly T5K 1C7. |
worn) may feel like living on the trendy
edge, but it doesn’t change attitudes. Butch
Coming Issues will feature: -
dykes remain undesirable, often scorned and.
ridiculed by the majority of society.
May: Feminism —
June: Gay Pride
, Womonspace News is published by the WOMONSPACE Social and Recreational Society of Edmonton. We are a nonprofit —
organization. The newsletter is produced by, for, and about lesbians in Edmonton and the surrounding areas. Our purpose is to inform
and entertain our memberasnd any other interested lesbians. The opinions expressed in any issue of Womonspace News do not —
necessarily reflect the opinion of the Directors or the Newsletter Committee. The events, organizations and establishments publicized
are not necessarily supported by Womonspace. Womonspace News is produced on a volunteer basis by the Newsletter Committee.
We welcome submissions. Material submitted becomes the property of Womonspace. We reserve the right to edit for length and |
content, and to refuse publication. Articles or letters to the editor may be sent to: Womonspace, basement, 9930-106 Street,
Edmonton AB T5K 1C7. Womonspace News seeks advertising that is lesbian-positive to help defer publication costs. Womonspace
does not necessarily endorse products or services offered. We reserve the right to refuse ads. For rate information, and to place anad,
please leave a message on the Lesbian Life Line: 425-0511.
2 WOMONSPACE NEWS _
All of Us in sweetly. “Really dead.” We start to walk
across the deserted floor. Our footsteps echo
Wonderland: How
embarrassingly. My lover leans dramatically
Local Lesbians Hit the
against me for support. “I don’t think I can
Big Time
take all this excitement,” she gasps.
“Just sit yourselves down and git comfy.”
Karen G
Our hosts begin to bustle around us. “Do
Chapter Four: The Sunday Scene—-Popcorn you want music or TV?”
and Puppies So much so soon-we are speechless with
indecision.
Still another evening in the City by the Bay The proprietors decide to keep the party
stretches before us. But this time we’re ready. atmosphere going by having both on.
We're up. We're on. We're goin’ for it. We Suddenly a huge mongrel bounds at us
KNOW we've got the Ladies’ Club scene in from the far side of the room. Muggins, we
San Francisco figured out, finally. are told, just loves company. The dog plops
“And,” I say to my companions as I casu- herself down by my lover's feet and looks up
ally flip through the Women’s Club Guide, longingly.
“now that we know what to expect at the “Don’t look now,” I smile knowingly at
clubs, we’re gonna have a REAL good time. .. my lover, “but I think Muggins wants this
‘cause Sunday night really hops in this town. dance.”
All three of them give me a funny look.
“Hey,” I assure them, “I know. I’ve been NEXT CHAPTER: Cruising the Park.
here before. . . once.” (Originally published in Womonspace
We decide to meet in an hour, dressed to News, May 1983).
kill, and hit a place called “A Little More.”
According to our guide book it’s a club with
an exciting crowd worth seeking out.” Oh, our
LESBIAN CODE
toes and fingers tingle just thinking about it.
“We Arrive*
The four of us pause in the doorway and, (From the lyrics by Alix Dobkin, on the
eyes blinking in disbelief, try to take in “A Yahoo Australia! recording)
Little More.” It’s a lot less. In fact, it’s nothing.
Across a lonely expanse of dance floor are a “She’s Lebesian, Lesbonic and I happen
few empty tables and chairs. Next to these is to know
the bar where the co-owners are leaning, She's a Vagitarian
munching popcorn and watching TV. ... She wears sensible shoes
“C’mon in girls. Don’t mind-it’s a little ... She’s got Dutch boy fingers
slow tonight.” ... A sister of the Inclination.”
My lover tugs at my sleeve. “You were
dead right about Sundays,” she whispers
WOMONSPACE NEWS 3
cae ai ee a
What an Option! A User’s Guide to...
Lesbian Chic
Patti
Amy Lee Cardufian
In January a new gay club opened its
doors to Edmonton’s gay community. The Talk about changin’ times. I remember
Option Room is located at 10148-105 Street, when it wasn’t anything but dangerous to
phone 4BE-HOMO. broadcast the fact that you were a queer. Just
For a long time, the women’s sector of our
being 30 and unmarried was enough to
community hashad a limited choice of
arouse suspicion. Now it’s practically trendy;
venues for socializing. The Option Room
“the love that dare not speak its name” is
offers an alternative with all of us in mind.
suddenly on everybody’s lips, and. . . well, I
Every Tuesday is Ladies’ Night (no men
don’t have to tell you how good it tastes.
admitted) and an all-female staff adds to the We're screaming it from the rooftops;
ambiance.
we're showing up (and actually mouth-
The evening begins at 4 pm with happy
kissing other women-gasp!) on Roseanne
hour. There will be a mellow coffee house
and L.A. Law, being interviewed on 20/20,
environment until about 9:30 when country
and gracing the covers of Vanity Fair and
dance lessons are available. Around 10:45
Newsweek. Hallelujah! Real garden variety
Petra will start spinning the hot dance music
lesbians-strong, proud, spirited gay women
that will bring the house down until 3:00!
with real jobs, real lovers, real kids and real
Last call is at 2:00.
problems, who wear real clothes (anything
Every few months The Option Room will
and everything, from Halston and heels to
offer Women in the Round, an early evening
Levi's and leather), drive real cars, pay taxes,
of local singers. The first one took place
take vacations and take out the garbage—are
February 8 and was enjoyable and well
becoming visible like never before. It’s
received.
become downright “cool” to know a lesbian
There are two pool tables and lots of
or two. And if you happen to BE one, well
room to enjoy your evening. The club is
hell, pass the dental dams!
wheelchair accessible and there is a deli
Out of this long overdue recognition a
upstairs. Manager Brian is very receptive to
trendy new ‘90s catch-phrase has been born:
any events the women’s community would
Lesbian Chic. It’s brash, brassy and classy,
like to see happen. Any ideas? Give Briana >
and we're all part of it, that’s indisputable.
call. eas But how do we begin to define it? We can
It’s great to have some-
start with passion and pride, cotton and
where to go every week
khakis, granola and goddess worship. Add
where we, the women of
generous amounts of sensible footwear
Edmonton’s gay community,
(Birks, Docs, Nikes, Sperrys, hockey skate. . .
are respected and catered to. *
whatever turns you on!) and blend with
Tell your friends! nes Nf
countless pot luck dinners, herbal tea parties,
4 WOMONSPACE NEWS :
cafe-au-lait, multigrain bread, solstice oppression of women, bad drivers, bad
dances, broomball fund-raisers and Take manners, bad hair days.
Back the Night marches-you get the idea. Mainstream society may still be some-
Feel like some tunes? Lesbian Chic means what reluctant to accept the fact that, like the
we no longer have to seek out the dark, tiny t-shirt slogan boasts, “we are everywhere,”
shelves in “alternative” record stores in but it’s at least reassuring to be finally
search of “women’s music.” Lesbian artists recognized as a legitimate entity, and not
are reaching the masses, thanks to the likes of just as a bunch of maladjusted, trouser-
k.d. lang, Melissa Etheridge, the Indigo Girls, wearing male-bashers who resort to sleeping
Heather Bishop, Ferron, Cris Williamson. . . with other women because we're too ugly to
the list goes on and on. “get “ aman.
Lesbian Chic also means (we hope!) a If nothing else, the arrival of Lesbian Chic
farewell to the stereotyped images of gay serves to remind us that we truly are
women as butch/ trucker/biker types in EVERYWHERE-and we don’t have to be
flannel shirts and work boots. Not that rock stars or world-class tennis players to
there’s anything wrong with the rugged, take pride in who we are.
outdoor look-to each her own and all that- Lesbian Chic is, simply, whatever you
but why is it that up until the last year or so want it to be. Just like everyone has her own
the only gay women Oprah, Phil and Sally tastes, feelings, values, and comfort zones,
offered up as “typical lesbians” always sexy is in the eye of the beholder. You
seemed to be obese, mannish sociopaths certainly don’t need some politically correct
sporting toaster-sized belt buckles and wrist- writer from some glossy, California-based
to-shoulder snake tattoos (no offence intend- magazine to tell you what constitutes style.
ed to those of you with the odd piece of body Lesbian Chic is whatever works for you:
art; please, I don’t want nasty letters). it’s the freedom to make your own choices,
Thankfully, taking cues from high profile set your own limits, take your own risks. It’s
“out” celebrities like Martina Navratilova, an attitude. .. and attitude always comes
lang, and Etheridge, lesbians from all walks from within.
of life are standing up and being noticed. Not
only that, but (let’s shoot down another pop-
ular stereotype, shall we?) we are showing
ASWAC
the world that we are not all cowgirls,
posties and parts drivers. We are doctors,
dentists, teachers, lawyers, nurses, accoun- ASWAC is looking for dedicated
tants, journalists, police officers, travel feminists to sit on the1994-95 board. If you
agents, photographers and physiotherapists; are interested in furthering ASWAC goals,
please submit a letter of interest along with a
we sell art and antiques, books and bagels,
coffee and kitsch. We play tennis, we fly short biography to the ASWAC Nominations
kites, we cry at sad movies and we get angry Committee, Box 1573, Edmonton AB T5J 2N7
about universally annoying things like the by April 15.
WOMONSPACE NEWS 5
HOROSCOPE
Renée Fulsom
Taurus (Apr. 21—-May 21) problem, remember this is your stuff and not
A general feeling of well-being shall be the theirs. You are being shown what you need
mainstay of this month, especially in the areas to work on.
of health and your body. Doors of opportunity
that you were unaware of will open for you Virgo (Aug. 24—Sept. 23)
now, and by the middle of the month you'll be Even though you may still be experiencing
ready to go for it. that tug-of-war, it should be a little easier
going than it was last month. Your ability to
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
communicate may not have gotten any
Do continue to heed the sound advice better but your sense of humour will
of those who love you. The times have.
may seem particularly confusing
and your ego may not be keen Libra (Sept. 24—Oct. 23)
on taking anyone’s advice. But This may not be a good time to
until this time passes, the get too heavily involved with
choices you may have decided outside stuff. It may be all for
upon may not be the most ‘ naught because loved ones are not
beneficial for all concerned. really going to be very interested.
Especially for you. Best to leave it for a more receptive
time, possibly in May....
Cancer (June 22-July 23)
This should be another good month for you. Scorpio (Oct. 24—Nov. 22)
The only thing you may need to be careful of For those Scorps that have been diligent in
is your temper; you may be tempted to say working through their ‘issues,’ the next
things you will regret later. The release of month won't be too bad. Those that figured
frustrations needs to be handled in a more they had none will find out differently. Just
creative way. Lifting weights or something remember it’s what you make of it, and it
that involves working with metal would be doesn’t have to mean the end of the world.
good.
Sagittarius (Nov. 23—Dec. 22)
Leo (July 24-Aug. 23)
“Life is good” is your motto now. Everything
Issues surrounding your ego will confront should be going pretty much as you’v e
you this month, particularly from people planned. But just because it all seems great
close to you. If you already have a healthy
doesn’t mean you can disregard your health.
ego this won’t be a problem. If you do have a
Abuse will catch up with you.
6 WOMONSPACE NEWS
Capricorn (Dec. 23-Jan. 20) Pisces (Feb. 19—Mar. 20)
Frustration in your ability to express your Now may be the time to embark on some-
wants and needs will be the big thing this thing new and exciting. No more dreaming
month. But you will find that it’s probably about it; time to put that time and energy
only bugging you and maybe another into going out and actually doing it. You
Capricorn. The rest of us are not really can’t lose in the trying. It is all up to you!
going to care much, either way. (Sorry about
that). Aries (Mar. 21-Apr. 20)
Well Aries, are people still talking to you?
Aquarius (Jan. 21-Feb. 18)
Amazing sometimes how you get through
Your ability to talk about what is going on the door! And what would the rest of us
should come easily. Remember though, it is have to poke fun at? Anyway, I’m sure by
absolutely essential that you be honest and now all is forgiven (for your behaviour last
truthful with yourself and with others. If month). If not, it is time to find some humili-
you choose not to be, you will be found out. ty and do some damage control. Trust me, it
will be to your advantage in the long run.
LABYRINTH LAKE
Dyke on the Road maybe even show me their town,
the environment and/or advise me
o LODGE
Dear Womonspace, about the nice places to visit.
I have found your address in the Secondly, I am looking for not-
Por Personal & Group Retreats
Women’s Traveller Guide to USA/ too-expensive places to stay/live
70 km S.E. of Edmonton
Canada/Caribbean 1993. for two or three weeks. I am also
] ama Dutch lesbian, 30 years interested in working (maybe part-
of age, and I am planning to come time), in exchange for a place to
to Canada for a few months, May stay or a camping site (I'll be
until September 1994. My plan is to bringing my tent and sleeping bag).
start at the East coast and travel, The reason I want to work is to
mostly by train, to the West coast in save money, because three or four
Comfortable & Affordable
about three or four months. My months travelling with no income Accommodates 4-12 Overnight
journey will start in Montreal and at all is too much for my budget.
will end in Vancouver. But working is also a nice way of Safe and Secluded
] have never been in Canada meeting (Canadian) people in a 160 Acres £&
before and I don’t know anybody different way than as a tourist.
Call Heather or Kathy
who lives there (yet!). I like I am planning to arnve in “your
(403) 878-3301
travelling a lot and the best thing part of the country” between the Ist
toll-free from Edmonton
about travelling in foreign countries and 1Sth of July and to leave
is meeting and getting to know between the Ist and 15th of August. plans and myself, of course.
people who live in that country. I am looking forward to receive I hope to hear from you soon,
The main purpose of this letter a letter from people who can give Loes Hoogendoormn
to you is to contact lesbian women me information and/or are
in Canada. I am looking for women interested in meeting me this Sterrenbos 13-bis, 3511 ES
who would like to meet me during summer. I'll be glad to give you Utrecht, The Netherlands,
my stay in their part of the country, some more information about my Phone: [phone]
WOMONSPACE NEWS 7
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Weekly Events vy Metropolitan Community Church.
Weekly worship, Sundays at 7:15 pm.
v Recreational Badminton for lesbians and Address is 10086 MacDonald Drive.
gays every Friday, 7:30-9:30 pm at Oliver
School, 10210-117 Street. Cost is $1.00. v GLCCE Lesbian Coming Out group meets
Mondays at 7:30 pm.
v Lesbigay Front Runners. Running club for
lesbians and gays. Thursdays at 5:30 pm and
Sundays at 10:30 am in front of Kinsmen Groups
Sports Centre.
vy GLCCE (Gay and Lesbian Community
v Darts meeting first Thursday of every Centre), 104, 11745 Jasper Avenue is open
Monday to Friday from 7-10 pm and
month, 7 pm at GLCCE. Call Snake at 428-
Wednesday from 1+ pm. Meeting space is
8847 or Ray at 421-4427 for more information.
available. Call Pat at 488-3234 or 488-8378.
v Adamant Eve. Feminist radio program
v THE GAY AND LESBIAN INFOLINE:
broadcast on CJSR, FM 88.5, at the University
of Alberta. Thursdays from 5-6 pm. 988-4018.
vy GALOC (Gays and Lesbians on Campus) v LESBIAN LIFE LINE: 425-0511.
meets on Tuesdays at 5 pm, Heritage Lounge,
Athabasca Hall.
April Events
v The Women’s Collective of GALOC meets
on Thursdays at 5 pm, room 2-101 of the MONDAY, APRIL 4
Education North building on the University vy GALOC Coming Out Support Group,
of Alberta campus. For more information call 6:30 pm. For more information call 988-4166.
988-4166. Note: the Collective is open to
women on all campuses (University of vy TUG The Umbrella Group meets
Alberta, Grant MacEwan, NAIT, etc.). the first Monday of every month at the
Sunflower Cafe, 10020—103 Street.
v Gaywire. A lesbian and gay radio show
from CJSR, FM 88.5. Thursdays from 6-7 pm. TUESDAY, APRIL 5
vy WOMONSPACE _ Newsletter meeting
v Pink Triangle Youth Group meets every
at The Option Room, 10148-105 Street,
Saturday, 8-10 pm at GLCCE. For lesbians 7:30 pm. Deadline for May newsletter.
and gays 16 to 18 years old.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6
v Vocal Minority Choir meets to rehearse
v LESBIAN AND GAY STUDIES
Sundays from 2-4:30 pm at the University of
COALITION Meeting in Humanities 4-
Alberta, room123, Fine Arts Building. 29, University of Alberta, 5 pm.
8 WOMONSPACE NEWS
THURSDAY, APRIL 7 WHO SAID WHAT
vy WOMONSPACE Drop in. Good
conversation. Women’s Building,
Sheelagh
basement, 9930-106 Street, 7:30-9 pm
“People always ask ‘Are they lovers or
SUNDAY, APRIL 10
brothers or both?’ and I always say ‘What-
vy WOMONSPACE _ General Meeting.
ever offends you the most’.”
Women’s Building, 7:30 pm
Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, on the
characters in his comic strip, and the new debate
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
about whether or not Sesame Street’s Ernie and
vy WOMONSPACE Dance! Bonnie Doon
Hall, 9240-93 Street, 8 pm-1 am Bert are gay.
< BOYSTOWN ~— Open until 2 after the “There's an image out there that gays aren’t
dance. Discount with dance stamp. spiritual. But they are. People are searching.
They’re coming to us because they feel
SATURDAY, APRIL 23
accepted and cared for.”
vy EDMONTON VOCAL MINORITY
Brent Hawkes, pastor of Toronto’s Metropolitan
Presents JUBA! at Convocation Hall,
Community Church.
University of Alberta, 8 pm. Enjoy the
pulse, rhythm and excitement of the
“Homosexual marriages and adoption of
music of Africa. For tickets call 424-1561.
children by homosexuals would legitimize
SATURDAY, APRIL 30 ‘moral disorder’. And a real family cannot be
vIeGECCE Lesbian Mothers and Gay built around the relationship between two
Fathers. Videos and workshops, 9 am—4 pm. men or two women.”
Pope John Paul
May Events
“As amember of the gay and lesbian commun-
ity, | know being harassed is intimidating
SUNDAY, MAY 1
and leaves a feeling of powerlessness.”
vy WOMONSPACE Newsletter meeting
Edmonton Alderman Michael Phair, on City
at Boystown at noon.
Council’s new bylaw designed to curb cruising.
SATURDAY, MAY 7 The Bylaw will also allow police to lay charges if
v ASWAC Annual General Meeting, 12 a pedestrian is harassed by people in a vehicle.
noon, room 2-115 Education North,
University of Alberta. “It’s a step in the right direction towards
obtaining equal rights.”
Ify ou know of any events that would be of
Anonymous; University of Alberta's GLOC
interest to lesbians, please give Shirl a call at
“I am proud to work for a company that treats
987-2497.
all its employees equally and with respect.”
continued page 10
WOMONSPACE NEWS 9
ir ca ee ee
Mark Razzoline, supervisor at an Edmonton Bay media, designers and clothing store buyers.
store, on the Hudson’s Bay Company's recent Whereas style is much larger than this and
decision to extend its employee benefits plan to much more personalized. Although it is
include same-sex couples. important to have a sense of style, I am not
advocating becoming a slave to the fashion
“To doa scene where you have to look at a man industry. Style includes the way you dress,
and tell him that you love him, it was, arrggh!” how you present yourself, how you speak,
Will Smith, of television’s Fresh Prince fame, in how you interact with others and so many
an interview in Premiere magazine on his role as other factors. Style affects everything from
a gay con artist in the film Six Degrees of closing, a business deal, to getting a date, to
Separation. being taken seriously. I know there are those
out there who take the moral high ground and
say looks should not matter but let’s face it, in
Style and the Lesbian Community the real world looks matter and they matter a
great deal. In my own exper- a salt
Coco
ience, there have been times
Jay, a gay male friend of mine, and his when I have gone to the bar ne
sister gave me a wonderful gift of perfume for looking casual and people's oO
my birthday. The name of the perfume is responses to me were casual if
Safari and the set they gave me consisted of not negligible as well. At
body lotion, cologne, and perfume. The lotion, other times I have gone
cologne and perfume come in exquisitely looking like a million dollars“ Gaieg une ax 2
crafted glass bottles that are just beautiful. and the attention I received was flattering and
The scent of the perfume is wonderful as well. also great fun. There are those who would say
In fact, I just adore this gift. Therefore, I was looks are so superficial but how can women
amused when Jay told me the story behind get to know the beautiful inner person that you
the choosing of the gift. He said that he and are if they won’t even approach you.
his sister, Nazreen, wanted to get me some- Having your own sense of style shows
thing really nice. So they decided on perfume. that you care about yourself and that you
However, his charming but naive sister asked count, which to me, is a precursor to healthy
him, “But do lesbians wear perfume?” My self-esteem. I often get irritated when I see
response was that this one does. Yet Nazreen’s lesbians slovenly dressed, especially when
question gives me much to ponder. First is the they appear on national television. I don’t
number of preconceptions heterosexuals, and believe they need to dress like that. If we
to some extent lesbians and gays themselves, have respect for ourselves and if we want
have about lesbian culture and style. society to respect us, why can’t we reflect
Style and fashion are very much part of this in our dress? I am not saying that
lesbian culture. However, style and fashion everyone needs to be wearing eight hundred
are two different things. Fashion is the current dollar Armani suits but neither do we have
mode of dress as dictated by an elite group of to dress down. Tess Tessina, author of the
10 WOMONSPACE NEWS