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

16 Pages·1994·4.3 MB·English

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jartha even* tually confessed she’d been ¥
letting lesbians in the house.
ry
President’s Message the Public Relations portfolio; to Shelley oPate
for joining us as a much needed
A NEW BOARD Secretary; and to Faye for legitimizing
gCMeee
Heather her previo contr| ibutions by becoming _
Our Annual General Meeting was the Activities Director.
held on October 23" at Shakespear’s Continuing on the executive are: a: a.
Darts. Members enjoyed a buffet and - Rosa, as Volunteer Co-ordinator; Tina as" aaaomeai sd
the humour of lesbian comedienne Treasurer; Lindy as Newsletter Editor;
extraordinaire, Lisa Austen, before tack- and Maureen as Membership Director.
ling the weighty issues of constitutional Special thanks go to Wray for her many
revision and executive elections. years of volunteer work on behalf of
We discussed how politically in- Womonspace as the Public Relations
volved Womonspace should be. Consti- Director.
tutionally, Womonspace is defined as a Unlike most annual eT meet-
social and recreational society. Never- ings, which tend to be stodgy, ours ©
theless, the members in attendance entailed light banter, good food and OPtwEOeSe L m
agreed that Womonspace should keep great ideas. | do hope that more women >
informed of the political climate for the will share in this camaraderie and I
social awareness of its members. They urge you to join us at social events, meet —
also recommended that involvement the new executive and let us know what
with other lesbian and gay organiza~ Womonspace can do for you.
tions in Edmonton be improved.
A constitutional change allows —
couples to join Womonspace at a
Contributors this issue:
special rate, with two membership
‘Heather, Charity Laboucan,
cards, but only one newsletter.
Amy Lee Cardufian, Leslie, Alison, LJ.D .
Jam proud to announce that Wom-
Vera St.Vincent, Noreen Marshall, Rosa,
eeanesyNaer e ,
onspace now has a complete executive.
Catherine Gutwin, Lindy Pratch,
Thanks go to Roz for becoming the
Mikki Wilson
Vice-President; to Sanhita for taking on
Womonspace News is a publication of 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 members and 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 TSK 1C7. Womonspace News seeks advertising that is lesbian-positive to help defer publications costs.
Womonspace does not necessarily endorse products or services offered. We reserve the right to refluse ads. For rate information,
and to place an ad, please leave a message on the Lesbian Life Line: 425-0511.
2 WOMONSPACE NEWS
TWO-SPIRITED would become just like every other
member of my family. Until I felt the
Charity Laboucan
stagnation and the backtracking. Until I
Each Native language has a word for gay people.
felt myself becoming transposed onto
It translates roughly into English as two-spirited. It
means we hold both the male and female essences the repeating scenes of my past.
within us. Native gay peoples in North America have I left with guilt in my bones for
taken this word as our own to empower ourselves.
having dishonoured her by wanting her
I haven’t been able to find the words
to be that frozen picture of happiness
to say this story. Maybe it’s because it
that I had created. | left a little empty
Just came full circle. Maybe it’s because
too, no longer having even a picture.
I’ve been afraid of being called reverse-
Recently someone has come into my
racist before I have the chance to
life who I can speak to in terms of spirit,
express what I’m really trying to say.
and ceremony, and teachings. Someone
Maybe it’s because I feel guilt sometimes
who I can share my healing with.
for having once been angry and bitter
Someone | don’t have to educate before I
towards “white” people. Now I seek
share my stories. Someone who is non-
beauty and truth. I search for peace and
Native. And I have learned.
purpose.
This journey began two years ago. Fire Shadows
During that time, I met a woman who You are asleep and I am there
was part-Native and for the first time I holding you in spirit
could share my discovery of my people’s running through your hair
spirituality, and my own. moving over your eyelids
Since meeting her, I’ve wanted a I enter your mouth
woman partner who would understand as you breathe in
that important part of me. Someone who and move through your blood
I could relate to spiritually, as well as I want to be there
emotionally, mentally, and physically. behind your eyes
Since then, I’ve been more involved touching your dreams
with my community. ’ve known some I want you in your room alone
spiritually-aware people...but very few to dance with me slowly
of them were two-spirited. I began to to the rhythm we found
focus on the picture of a Native woman in each others hands
as someone | could share all aspects of I want your blood
/
my life with... l to move faster ‘
[.\
Then I found someone who fit my in memory of night (
picture. A beautiful Native woman. Until and fire shadows
I realized that “beautiful” was all I on our bodies...
described her as. Until I realized I was when we heard our rhythm
drinking more and I became afraid | after the music stopped
WOMONSPACE NEWS 3
A HOLIDAY POEM
(With apologies to Clement C. Moore)
Amy Lee Cardufian
Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the collective
Not a creature was stirring
Not even Kate Delafield, the lesbian detective.
The hockey socks were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Gaia, the Earth Mother, soon would be there.
The lesbians were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of tofu pups danced in their heads.
And my lover in her boxers and I in my glee
Had just settled down with some chamomile tea
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
We sprang from our futon to see what was the matter.
We flew to the window and tore open the blinds
And threw on our bathrobes to keep warm our behinds.
The moon shining down on our Sapphic lovenest
Gave the luster of midday to my lover’s round breast.
When, what to our wondering eyes should appear
But a cute little motorbike and eight leather girls, all queer.
With vegetarian casseroles, and bagels, and beer
We knew in a moment that Gaia was here!
With the grace of the muses, her leather chicks danced,
And they whistled and shouted; 'round Gaia they pranced:
“Now dash her! Now dance her, you sweet little vixen! Oh come on,
Don’t tease me; you’re making me glisten!”
Then up to the housetop the leather chicks flew,
Bike laden with goodies and the Earth Goddess too.
Cuddling and giggling, we watched them astounded,
In their sacks, Ferron tapes, Naiad books and granola abounded.
4 WOMONSPACE NEWS
We both rubbed our eyes and were turning around
When down the chimney the Earth Goddess came with a bound.
She was dressed all in white from her head to her toes
And her hair hung down freely; no sissy ribbons or bows!
Gleaming and glowing she lit up the night,
Angelic and seductive, all mischief and light. oz.
Her eyes—how they twinkled! Her dimples, how merry. pe y
Her lips were real sexy (like my ex-girlfriend, Sherry).
The skin on her hands was as smooth as the dew
And each foot was kept dry in a sensible shoe.
A bandana encircled her head like a mist
And the Womonspace News was clamped tight in her fist
She was chubby and plump, a right jolly girl elf,
No weight-related angst for this babe; she was proud of herself]
She winked and we knew she was one of our kind;
A lovelier goddess you never could find.
She spoke not a word but went gayly forward to her chore,
Filling each hockey sock with politically-correct presents and more.
Then laying her finger aside of her nose
And giving a nod, up the chimney she rose.
She sprang to her bike, to her dyke team gave a wink
And away they all roared before we could blink.
But we heard her exclaim as they drove out of sight:
“Happy Holidays To All, And To All A Good Night!”
Classified Advertising:
CRAFT SALE OPEN HOUSE
Sat, Dec. 3, 11 am-5 pm. Dried flower arrangements and wall swags ideal for
gifts. $8 - $60. Everyone welcome! 4717-35 Ave; call Wray: 440-4209.
M/F ROOMATE WANTED
Non-smoking house near Southgate; Bsmt bedroom, bath & living area; share
kitchen & laundry. Parking plug-in. $300 + ' utilities. Pat: 436-7186.
| am a Mechanical Engineer, nothing extraordinary had occurred in
the news. I considered that someone
Do You Believe It?
might make a joke about the incident,
MONTREAL MASSACRE
calculated whether I could pretend to
not get the joke, or not hear it, or
Alison
whether I would laugh along. | felt
Iam a mechanical engineer.
Actually, | am a retired mechanical overwhelmed by the urge to deny the
engineer. After ten years in the savagery and brutality of the incident,
and silence whatever terrified, grief-
trenches, | put away my calculator and
stricken reaction I was experiencing.
took up another career, in a softer,
What was this contradictory and
non-technical field. I was never a big
promoter of technology, and it is hard confused urge all about? | knew that if
to be a truly satisfied engineer without fourteen people had been plowed down
embracing the technology ideology. It is by a gunner somewhere else, | would
too bad, because I made a big have a sorrowful reaction and would
investment of time, energy, and money feel perfectly justified to publicly
to be a woman in engineering. | was express my horror. Why not this time?
young when I made the decision to This time it was women engineers
enter that field, wanting to capitalize on that had been killed. This time, it was
my strong science and math very up front, close and personal. As a
capabilities, just like my male peers. woman engineer, I had worked hard
Now that I am a little wiser about for my opportunities. I had struggled
myself, I believe my current vocation long to overcome everyone’s insistence
will suit me better. that I could not perform in that field. I
In the summer of 1989, I hung up had endeavored in a field that
my hard hat for the last time. Then, on few—men or women, feminists or
December 6" of that year, came the not—could picture me in. I had put
news of the massacre of fourteen out, put up, and shut up so much that
female engineering students. My now when women engineers were
reaction was bone-chilling shock. again challenged, this time by a gun
Bright, intelligent young women toting maniac, | still jumped into my
gunned down by an enraged no- problem-we-can-handle-this-no-
misogynist; what a dark, tragic moment sweat mode. Confronted by a killing, |
in our contemporary history. But this still automatically denied my own
first reaction of mine was immediately personal response, sure that such a
followed by another, more macabre response could somehow lower the
reaction. credibility of the women striving in a
I told myself not to reveal my shock. nontraditional field.
I was to conduct myself that day as if It was no small realization on my
6 WOMONSPACE NEWS
behalf to acknowledge that my response It always costs me to talk about my
to being in a technology-based engineering experience. | feel like | am
traditionally male field had been so going out on a limb every time I expose
tunnel visioned and had become so my engineering self. |a m a mechanical
conditioned. If | had doubted my engineer. Do you believe it? Do you
decision to leave the engineering field have any idea what I am saying, when |
before, | now was sure that I had not tell you this?
responded to that particular Ask your women engineer friends,
environment in a whole-minded way. coworkers, relatives, your engineering
Staying any longer would have sisters, to tell you their stories. Our
continued to engender a perverse stories are unique, complex, mundane,
response in me. 1 do have women ordinary, sad, and funny. You never
friends who have made the engineering know what may result from the
career very much their own. But I knew dialogue. The telling will help to create
now it was not right for me. a validity that the December 6"
I had my chance to explore my experience can so effectively nullify, if
capabilities in engineering. It did not we allow it.
work out for me. At least I got my
chance. The fourteen young women
EY SS Ss Ss en a
killed on December 6 1989, had
| |
suffered a heavy academic grind, and
l The Chosen j
would never have the opportunity to
succeed in their hard-earned chosen | |
Born Blessed i
career. Their legacy would not be their
mark on technology, but one that still Great Mother |
leaves us reeling with incredulity,
And when they ask her |
horror, and especially the huge loss of
if given the choice |
their potential.
My reaction to the Montreal I would your Daughter !
massacre was to silence myself. Silence, l have chosen to be a Qesbian !
isolation, and loneliness were the
Ct Che always answers 4
| y
distinguishing characteristics of my
i; yes, oh yes i|
personal experience in the engineering
field. This resulted in my perverse
denial of the December 6" horror. I do
LID :
not want other women to have to try so
eee ee ee
hard, that in the trying, their responses
become similarly conditioned and
narrow.
WOMONSPACE NEWS 7
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Metropolitan Community Church
weekly worship, 10086 MacDonald
Weekly Events:
Drive, Sundays at 7:15 pm.
GLCCE (Gay and Lesbian Community SOLO (Singles Only Lesbian
Centre), 104-11745 Jasper Avenue is Organization) Social club for lesbians
open Monday to Friday from 7-10 pm and bisexual women (over 18) meets
and Wednesday from1-4 pm. Peer every week for a variety of social
counselling, drop-in and library. Phone functions. Call 447-4776.
488-3234.
Gay & Lesbian Infoline: 988-4018.
Les/Bi/Gay (formerly GALOC); social &
Lesbian Life Line: 425-0511.
political student group on the
University of Alberta campus, meets
December Events:
Mondays, 6-7 pm at Heritage Lounge in
Athabasca Hall. 988-4166.
Thursday, December 1
Adamant Eve. Feminist radio program Womonspace Drop-In.
broadcast on CJSR, FM 88.5, at the Lesbians and bisexual women are
University of Alberta. Thursdays from invited for refreshments and talk,
5-6 pm. 9930—106 Street, 7:30-9 pm.
Woman to Womon Books
Gaywire. A lesbian and gay radio show sales table at Boystown, 8-10 pm.
on CJSR, FM 88.5. Thursdays from 6-7
pm. Sunday, December 4
Womonspace News Newsletter
Lesbian and Gay Badminton on Meeting
Thursdays, 7-9 pm at Oliver School, Boystown, 10116—124 Street, at noon.
10210—117 Street. Cost is $1.00.
Wednesday, December 7
Northern Titans (bowling for lesbians Les/Bi/Gay Social Evening
and gays) Saturdays, 5:15 pm at on U of A campus. Phone [phone] for
Lynnwood Bowl, 16127—118 Ave. more info.
Pink Triangle Youth Group meets Thursday, December 8
every Saturday, 7:30-10 pm at GLCCE. Woman to Womon Books sales table at
For lesbians and gays 16 to 21 years Boystown, 8-10 pm.
old.
8 WOMONSPACE NEWS
Saturday, December 10 January Events:
Women’s Solstice Dance
at Riverdale Hall,
Thursday, January 5
9231—100 Avenue,
Womonspace Drop-In
8:30 pm-1 am.
Lesbians and bisexual women are all
Catherine will teach invited for informal conversation and
ballroom dance during
refreshments at 9930—106 Street,
first Y2 hour. This is a »
7:30-9 pm.
smoke-free and alcohol-free event.
Sunday, January 7
Sunday, December 11 Womonspace News Meeting
Womonspace General Meeting.
Boystown,10116—124 Street, at noon.
Basement, 9930—106 Street, 7:30 pm. Deadline for submissions for February
issue on the topic “Lesbian Teachers.”
Thursday, December 15
Womonspace General Meeting
Woman to Womon Books Basement, 9930—106 Street, 7:30 pm.
sales table at Boystown, 8-10 pm.
Friday, December 16
MCC Christmas Coffee House
DR. KITTY Y. CHAN
at 10081 MacDonald Drive, 7 pm-
midnight. $1 admission; food & M.D., C.C.F.P.
entertainment provided. Everyone is
FAMILY PHYSICIAN
welcome!
Saturday, December 17
Womonspace Dancel Offers a gay positive
Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240—93 Street, environment for all your
8 pm-1 am. Admission is $5 for ealth concerns.
members and $8 for non-members.
For an appointment call:
489-7787
17703—98A Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5T 5W8
WOMONSPACE NEWS 9
ZODIAC GIFT IDEAS pet care, updated dictionary or other
reference book) language courses (writing or
Vera St. Vincent foreign language), classes on yoga, meditation,
or tai chi.
LIBRA: Tickets to arts productions, gift
The following gift
certificate at art print shop, lingerie items in
suggestions apply to those that
pastel shades, flowers, book of poetry or
have the Sun, Moon, Ascendant,
romantic literature, perfume, music (e.g. CDs,
or other emphasis in any of the twelve signs of
tapes or concert tickets), stereo accessorics,
the Zodiac:
musical instruments or music lessons, opals,
ARIES: Sports equipment (especially racquet
jade, emeralds.
sports, hockey, football), boardgames (e.g. Risk,
SCORPIO: Chess set, Risk boardgame,
backgammon), auto accessories (e.g. driving
books (metaphysical, occult, psychology, high
gloves), rubies, diamonds, barbecue accessories,
finance, erotica, mystery, espionage), stocks,
books (adventure, sports, biographies, racing).
bonds, and securities, topaz, garnets,
TAURUS: Tickets to arts productions (e.g.
subscriptions to science magazines (e.g.
theatre, movies), new wallet or totebag, clothing
Discover, Equinox).
in pastel shades, chocolate and candy, art
SAGITTARIUS: Books (travel, adventure,
supplies or art courses, gift certificate for
biography, religion, sports, philosophy),
therapeutic massage, Monopoly game,
sports equipment (especially archery,
sculpture, jewelry of all kinds (but especially
equestrian, soccer, rugby), dance lessons,
emeralds), anything associated with gardening.
luggage, sapphires.
GEMINI: Calligraphy set, camera and
CAPRICORN: Books (archeology, high
photography accessories, computer adjuncts,
finance, genealogy, history, crafts —especially
boardgames (e.g. Scrabble, Pictionary, Trivial
carpentry and woodworking), courses in
Pursuit), subscriptions to daily newspaper or
personal development or public speaking,
news magazines, briefcase, desk calendar and
new wallet or totebag, leather accessories and
other office organizers, racquet sports
clothing, watch, diamonds, antiques.
equipment, aquamarines, opals, books (non-
AQUARIUS: Flying lessons, computer
fiction and reference, science fiction).
lessons and accessories, bicycle and
CANCER: Baked goods and other food items,
accessories, electronic gadgetry, books
coin collection starter kit, gift certificate for
(metaphysics, feminism, New Age subjects,
favourite restaurant, bath accessories (including
science fiction), amethyst and opals.
luxuriant towels and bathrobe, bubble bath,
PISCES: Books (romance and fantasy
scented soaps, talc), fancy molded or scented
novels, metaphysics, occult, religion), fine
candles, duvet or afghan in pastels or
wines and liquors, boating accessories,
white/cream tones, moonstones, silver, books
aquarium and accessorics, gift certificate at
(history and cooking).
shoe store, tickets to art productions, acting
LEO: Gold jewelry, tickets to arts
lessons, aquamarines, corals, sea cruises and
productions, acting lessons, lottery tickets, card
holidays and the seaside.
games, rubies, diamonds, topaz, books
(biography, adventure), tickets to sporting
Vera St. Vincent, using astrology as a
events, a day at the races.
teaching tool tor self-awareness and self-
VIRGO: Games (e.g. Scrabble, Pictionary,
empowerment, has been practicing
Trivial Pursuit), agates, sapphires, sardonyx, gift
certificate to health food store or food co-op, gift professionally tor 18 years. For more
certificate to SPCA or pet shop, books (nutrition, information or to book a consultation, call
health, biography, critical essays, crafts, 488-1610. Contidentiality assured.
SE a I EI SEERA IEE ELO LED LOPE TEE ELECT ELIE TELLICO AG AIOE IO TE EIT
10 WOMONSPACE NEWS