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#83Identity and Desire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineAs this issue of Sinister Wisdom took shape, I realized Julie and I had a compilation of work that offered not only a terrific range of voice and perception, but also a representative body of work which evokes desire—in so many different ways—from poems of loss and regret, to powerful longings for, and connection to, culture, family, and imagination; desire that is carnal and raw, compassionate and insightful, thoughtful and probing—manifestations often unarticulated in a world that continues to marginalize us, but yet still reverberate beyond the layered experiences and perceptions so generously shared here by our contributors.
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The Front Cover
Cover Art: Elaine Sextonère Contributors
Stephanie Barnes
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On The Back
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#82In Amerika They Call Us Dykes:
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In This Issue Notes for a Magazine |
The Front Cover
Cover Art: Sculpture by Miriam Fougère Contributors
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On The Back
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#81Lesbian Poetry – When? And Now? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineWhile I was working on this issue of Sinister Wisdom, Lesbian Poetry – When? And Now?, I was also beginning my research for my dissertation. August 2010 found me at the Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History and Culture at Duke University looking at the papers of Catherine Nicholson. Nicholson, as you may recognize from the pages of Sinister Wisdom, was one of the founders of Sinister Wisdom with her partner, Harriet Ellenberger (aka Desmoines). Sifting through boxes, folders, and papers from Nicholson, I was filled with awe about the history of Sinister Wisdom and inspired by the commitment and excitement that wimmin have brought to this magazine as editors, contributors, and volunteers. I hope you will feel something similar while reading this issue. Lesbian Poetry – When? And Now? reflects my belief that lesbian poets have been in dialogue with one another, directly and indirectly for decades. This issue brings together a variety of contemporary lesbian poets, most of whom have paired their work with a “lesbian poet of yore.” Many people inquired about what I meant by “lesbian poet of yore;” I confess I was cagey in my responses to them, not wanting to proscribe what I meant, but more interested in what creative responses womyn had to the call for poems. As always, I was gratified by lesbian creativity. Lesbian Poetry – When? And Now? begins with a translation by Susan Hawthorne of a fragment by Sappho. Sappho’s “Fragment 16” is followed by three contemporary poets responding to Sappho: Susan Hawthorne, Eloise Klein Healy, and Catherine McNeil. After this invocation to our Sapphic foremother, the poets and the poets to whom they respond vary widely. You’ll find poems from Jewelle Gomez, Elsa Gidlow, Sharon Bridgforth, Gertrude Stein, Tamiko Beyer, Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, Joan Larkin, and dozens of others in these pages. I thank all of the women who submitted to this issue and who graciously allowed their work to be included in the issue. I find the poems in this issue to be an exciting dialogue among lesbians in poetry. I hope that you will as well. While assembling this issue of Sinister Wisdom, Fran Day asked me if I would take over as editor of Sinister Wisdom. This was a hard decision because I have been so impressed by the time, care, and attention that Fran gave to stewarding the journal over the last six years. Her dedication and commitment to Sinister Wisdom, and by extension to the entire lesbian community, has been extraordinary. Her sudden death in September 2010 shocked and saddened me; I hope each of you reading this will find a way to honor Fran’s life and work in a meaningful way. Honestly, when Fran asked me about becoming editor, I didn’t know if I could walk in her shoes—or the shoes of any of the other editors who have been responsible for these pages and this institution. I only agreed to do it after my good friend, Merry Gangemi, agreed to work with me as a co-editor of Sinister Wisdom. We are both excited to be a part of Sinister Wisdom for the future. We are certain that there will be some rocky moments during this transition and along the way, but we hope that we will find the journey, the conversations, and the cultural visions sustain us and Sinister Wisdom. Thank you for reading Sinister Wisdom and being part of this community—and please stay around for the conversation and find a way to contribute to the community and to this institution. In sisterhood and struggle, |
The Front Cover
Cover Art: Angie Young Contributors Judith Barrington |
On The Back
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#80Willing Up and Keeling Over: A Lesbian Handbook on Death Rights and Rituals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineGuest Editors: Barbary Clarke, Anah Holland-Moore, Claudia Huber, Lorraine le Plastrier, Rosalinda Rayne, Jean Taylor, Ardella Tibby, and Cathy Wheel This is the book we wished we had when we lost our own Lesbian loved ones and when we first started thinking about our own funerals. Here is a practical handbook for Lesbians to help with those financial, emotional, and legal details when someone we love dies. It also helps lessen the impact of our own eventual death on the loved ones we leave behind. This beautiful book is given further depth by the inclusion of our heartfelt personal stories, art and poetry. | The Front Cover
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On The Back
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Sinister Wisdom 80: Willing Up and Keeling Over: A Lesbian Handbook on Death Rights and Rituals Guest Editors and Contributors: Barbary Clarke, Anah Holland-Moore, Claudia Huber, Lorraine le Plastrier, Rosalinda Rayne, Jean Taylor, Ardella Tibby, and Cathy Wheel Reviewed by Maryanne and Louise from Something Special Wow! We read the entire issue in one sit down. We so recommend Willing Up and Keeling Over to every Young and Olde Lesbian everywhere. The issue is written in a soothing, mild, intense, gentle, and rough way, and is so succinct in talking about the moment of crossing over. This is such a MUST READ, and we cannot find the words enough to really tell you about her. Get a copy, get a copy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Willing Up and Keeling Over, A Lesbian Handbook On Death Rites and Rituals, Long Breast Press Collective, 2007, Second Edition, Sinister Wisdom 2010 #80, $6.00 Reviewed by Ruth Mountaingrove We owe a debt of gratitude to the collective, Long Breast Press for giving us this handbook on dying and death. While their references are Australian something comparable must be in this country. We owe Sinister Wisdom thanks for printing this thoughtful handbook on dying and death. Willing Up and Keeling Over as aussies say, is invaluable especially since the subject is so taboo in our country and among lesbians. This book is very practical and useful. What do you do to prepare for the death of a lesbian whose life is terminal? What government agencies do you need to deal with? If you use a funeral home they will take care of the details: cremation or burial in the ground and red tape. When Tee Corinne realized she was dying she got her affairs in order. Since she wanted to be cremated she found a burial spot near a tree, room for eight lesbians, Bev Brown and herself and six more. She called this her condominium. She designed the marker. She went through all her papers destroying files and since she was a photographer as well as an artist negatives she thought might damage those who posed for her. She also gave the bulk of her estate to the University of Oregon. Now this can be done, even saying goodbye to friends when the illness is slow but what if the lesbian is killed in an automobile accident? What then? There are all kinds of decisions to be made by her lover. The parents of the lesbian have to be notified. This can be dicey. They may want to exclude the lover from any of the arrangements, even preventing the lesbian lover from attending the funeral. Not every lesbian wants to have a viewing but prefers to have her friends celebrate some two weeks later reminiscing about her. Fran Roth had her friends gather at the Unitarian church and her requests was that there be dark chocolate in the shape of goddesses along with other candies and cakes. Many a lesbian took a goddess home with her. When there is time the favorite songs can be sung at the funeral or at the celebration or both. While most of us find making a will off putting because we are going to live forever aren’t we? I finally did make one. It was a simple uncomplicated process in the office of a lawyer that cost me $100. I have no land or house. I rent. I am an only child so no immediate relatives except my three children listed in my will. I do not own a car. Most of my photography is at the University of Oregon, in their archives, and in the Beinecke At Yale and at the June Mazer Foundation in L.A. All involved Deed of Gift, which I have signed. Another paper that you need to sign is called California Advanced Directive signed by two witnesses this makes your wishes known for burial in the ground or cremation. My code is DNR, Do Not Resuscitate. My primary physician has one in her files. No artificial nutrition or hydration. My daughter is designated as my agent. My son is the alternate. I have given copies to my family. Reading Willing Up and Keeling Over will give you an idea of what is involved with dying and death and what you need to know to help make this transition smooth. This is not a depressing book. It is informative and useful. There is a workbook in this country. It is called Three Wishes. You can fill out with your own information. My Advanced Directive is dated 2007. Since California tends to make changes you should check its current status. Despite all your care your wishes may be ignored especially in the hospital where the goal is to keep you alive. So if you have a DNR and you have your executer informed of your wishes you stand a better chance to have your wishes followed, Also talking it over with your lover or your close friends and children before hand will help. The Long Breast Press collective says” One of the aims of this book is to try to demystify death and make it more of a familiar every day part of our lives.” The book is the result of this aim. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# 78/79Old Lesbians/Dykes II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineWELCOME to this eagerly anticipated 78th issue of Sinister Wisdom, which celebrates the diverse voices and images of Lesbians age 60 and older. In 1994 Sinister Wisdom published Old Lesbians/Dykes I, guest edited by nine old Lesbians (Jeanne Adelman, Dotty Fowler, Marge Green, Rosemary Hathaway, Vera Martin, Joyce Pierson, Ida VSW Red, Kate Rosenblatt, and Mickey Spencer). Now fifteen years later, we respectfully follow in their heartsteps. |
The Front Cover
Cover Art: Photos by Cathy Cade, Fran Day, Roxanna Fiamma, Barbara Kalish, Pat O'Brien, and Merle Woo ContributorsGaye Adegbalola Gloria Anzaldúa Avotcja Tracy Baim Lynn Ballen Shaba Barnes Terry Baum ila Benavidez-Heaster Henri Bensussen Joan E. Biren Lynn Brown Cathy Cade Tita Caldwell Chrystos Lenore Chinn Jeanne Cordova Emma Joy Crone Alix Dobkin Vashte Doublex Sally Duplaix Arden Eversmeyer Matu Feliciano Roxanna Fiamma Jean Fleming Dorothy Fowler Judy Freespirit Lee Ann Freilich Pat Gilmore Antonieta Gimeno Jewelle Gomez Judy Grahn Bethroot Gwynn Mabel Hampton |
On The Back
Back Cover Art: Turtle by Jess McVey Virginia Harris Jane Herman jody jewdyke Barbara Kalish Maggie Leigh Rose Beth Levno Simi Litvak Ronna Magy Margaret Mann Jalainia Mar Vera Martin Pat McCutheon Jess McVey Neta Melton Ruth Moutaingrove Marjory Nelson Marjorie Norris Marcia Perlstein Joyce Pierson Sharon Raphael Ida VSW Red Senecarol Rising Lilith Rogers Susa Silvermarie Jayne Snook Carole Stoneking Sandy Tate Jean Taylor Win Weston Cristina Vegas Merle Woo Ruth Zachary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sinister Wisdom 78/79, Old Lesbians/Dykes II, Winter 2009/2010, 208 pages, paperback, $10 Reviewed by Ruth Mountaingrove Reprinted with permission from the L-Word Newsletter, January 1010 How to begin with such a feast? So many lesbians over 60, some active, some not so. Some disabled. Old Lesbians/ Dykes II has 70 lesbians telling us how it is to be 60 and older in 2009 and how lesbians younger help or ignore old lesbians. There are many lesbians I know or have heard of. Lots of poetry including our own Pat McCutcheon with her poem “Unsanctioned Epithalamium,” for Cheryl a tender salute to her love after 24 years. Bethroot Gwynn has a celebrating poem to her land partner “For Hawk Madrone at 70” and Madrone’s love of dogs and how they love back. Judy Grahn’s “The History of Lesbianism,” reprinted from her book. The quality of the contributors poetry is high. There are several articles about OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing for Change) by lesbians who are part of that organization, like Alix Dobkin. She has a song “New Ground” accompanied by a photo of herself taken by Christina Vegas. Another OLOC member, Shaba Barnes, was photographed by Cathy Cade another OLOC member. Shaba tells a heart warming story of how her parents realized she was a dyke before she realized herself, having tried marriage twice. On his death bed her father made her cousin Mary promise to take care of her. Her cousin was gay and taught Shaba how to be a butch. And Shaba learned of all the lesbians there were in her own family that she had no idea about. Merle Woo learns how to write her name in Chinese. There it is on the paper - a revelation - that she can carry with her. “Becoming a Crone,” by ila Benividez-Heaster is about a lesbian who come into her own as an old woman, her celebration. What is sad about this magazine are the lists of lesbians who are no longer with us, many having died too soon. like my friends Karen Anna and Tee Corinne. Bev Brown and Dorothy Hoogterp. Many who touched my life like Paula Gunn Allen, Elizabeth Freeman, Baba Copper, Kay Gardner, Elsa Gidlow, June Arnold, Barbara MacDonald, Elaine Michels, Shekinah Mountainwater, Betty Shoemaker, Dian Wagner. These are lesbians I talked with about feminist and lesbian politics. Your list would be different. There are reminiscences like “Dear Jill” by Ronna Magy remembering how it was thirty years ago when she, Ronna, was still in the closet at her work place. Dorothy Fowler in “Savesna” confronts aging at 81 after heart surgery the previous year, reminding me of my own racing heart causing me to slow down at 86 now only 3 months away from 87. Jess McVey is interviewed by Ida VSW Red. McVey is a sculptor and her turtle is on the back cover. McVey at 92 is dealing with a stroke, McVey thinks there should be classes in growing old. She tells us what she now endures in her article “A Hive of Mad Bees” - what her head is like. Emma Joy Crone becomes the every woman as she lists all the journeys she has taken in the time of the women’s movement. She calls herself R.O.L. (Rural Old Lesbian). In The Gift of Time and Aging, Jalaina Mar has a deeply thought essay on what it has been to be working class and yet through her talent as a painter having received many grants from foundations to continue working in her field. At the same time growing up in substandard housing. An attempt by the moguls to avert Communism. If you under sixties lesbians wanted to know what is on the other side, you will get a mixed message. Some lesbians are still healthy, but some are dealing with MS, some with heart, some with aphasia, some with stroke - all the problems that come up with aging. But more than that the prejudice connected with aging both from the general population and, sad to say. by the younger lesbian community. We’’ll let Marcia Perlstein have the last word. “Time as we know no matter what, proceeds and will bring us to our ultimate destinations... I don’t get scared anymore by my own suicidal thought....each time I offer myself that choice, I re-choose life....That makes it all the sweeter.” As I said before this is a feast of good writing, good poetry and good art. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
# 77Environmental Issues
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineLesbians understand why Earth is called “Mother” Earth rather than father earth. As daughters of Earth Mother we honor our female bond through song and praise, respect her as she cycles through our lives. We perform rituals, we raise our heads, hearts, and arms to her, appreciating her for her never-ending breathe of life-air, land, her seas, rivers, mountains, valleys and her deserts. We love her and honor her. We pray to her for continuance of her gifts to us. We pray that she not stop showering us with her feminine glory. Throughout the ages this has been our connection and Earth Mother has opened up and given us her essence of life like a mother breast-feeding life-giving milk to her child. Like a daughter who is connected to her Mother, Mother Earth Lesbians throughout the world are sensitively aware of what is happening to her. Our praise has turned to desperate pleas and cries for mercy that she continues to sustain us. We see her being raped and mutilated by those without respect for her-continually. This is the catastrophe. Ruthless are the ones taking from her, abusing her with no regard to her ability to recover; they mutilate her beyond recognition. Our Earth Mother is getting sick, she “is” sick. Her skin is dry and cracking from lack of water, her bones are weak from mal-nourished soil and she coughs poisons due to pollutants in the air and in the earth. How long will she be able to withstand this onslaught of mercilessness? Yes, Lesbians of Mother Earth are aware. We are letting our Earth Mother know our fears, concerns, anger and our need to take care of her for we are her. There are daughters who like a mother sitting quietly by their sick child gives energies of love for healing. There are daughters who fight the oppressors and slaughterers demanding of them that they stop this relentless onslaught. There are daughters singing the healing songs and daughters whose hands replenish Earth. These daughters are represented in this 77th issue of Sinister Wisdom. Because of the contributions of the Lesbians represented here, each of you reading this journal will be sending, naturally, with little to no effort-because we are women, your love to our Earth Mother. I would like to thank Sinister Wisdom for making this written forum happen. Diane FosterAlbuquerque, New Mexico July 2009 |
The Front Cover
Alma Avotcja Shaba Barnes Denise Brautigam Brenwyn Natasha Carthew Julie Enszer Diane Foster Tina Freimuth Deb Friedman Carole Gale Alix Greenwood Sue Lenaerts H. Madrone Lynn Martin Ruth Mountaingrove Jeanne Neath Mary Oishi Sudie Rakusin Ida VSW Red Kim Rivers Lilith Rogers Zarod Rominski Jan Shade Sandy Tate Ellen Williams Judith K. Witherow Ruth Zachary |
On The Back
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# 76Open Issue
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineIn this 76th issue of Sinister Wisdom we continue our long legacy of tender, fierce, life-changing words and images. Sinister Wisdom has been sending passionate love letters to the Lesbian community for more than thirty years. As we know so well, we are writing for our lives. In the gynergizing words of Mary Daly, let us keep Spiraling further out, continuing our Intergalactic Voyaging, and charting the Daring way for others (Outercourse: The Be-Dazzling Voyage, Harper, 1992). Special notes of appreciation go to the many Lesbians who, with generosity of spirit, keep Sinister Wisdom alive and well. To name a few: Rose Provenzano (for her amazing intuition, vision, kindness, generosity and solidarity); Susan Levinkind (for steadfast work behind the scenes); Roxanna Fiamma (for listening and courage); Kimba Fusch and Jan Shade (for layout expertise and perseverance); Moire Martin (for coordinating bulk mailings); Stacee Shade (for hard work and tenacity, especially at the post office); Sue Lenaerts (for website magic); Judith Witherow and other board members (for support and advice); Juanita Ramos, Julie Enszer and others past and future (for brilliant guest editing); and many other wise, inspiring Lesbians for believing in the importance of Lesbian words and images (see page * for more names). AND THANK YOU to our gifted writers and artists for making these pages come alive once again. For those of you wondering how you can help Sinister Wisdom celebrate her 33rd Anniversary and beyond, there are many ways to help us continue our important work:
Fran Day |
The Front Cover
Gaye Adegbalola Rosita Angulo Libre de Marulanda Linda Bacci Lynn Brown Glorya Cabrera Cathy Cade Merina Canyon Giovanna Capone Robin Carstensen Lenore Chinn Kelly Cogswell Tee A. Corinne Ronnisha Crawford Marva Edwards Lillian Faderman Vicki Garcia Diane Germain Alix Greenwood Susan Hawthorne Azaan Kamau Sue Lenaerts Judy Lightwater Jane Mara Janet Mason Mary Meriam |
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# 75Lesbian Theories/Lesbian Controversies
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineFor me, the sites and moments of controversy are where some of our most important thinking and forward motion happen. They are also times that require extraordinary personal and community risk-taking. They create discomfort and, inevitably, pain. They also open new opportunities, new futures, and new ways of seeing the world. When Fran Day asked me to guest edit Sinister Wisdom, I was honored, and in the issue that I agreed to edit I wanted to tackle some of controversies in the Lesbian community. Controversy is an important part of our community and has been no stranger to these pages during their august history. To me, many of the controversies arise out of our theories about the world and Lesbians in the world. Sinister Wisdom has a long been an incubator of important theories in the Lesbian community. Theory of course is just a word to describe an analysis of a set of facts in relationship to one another. Lesbians have always had a profound stake in theory because we have so often been excluded from analysis. Here at Sinister Wisdom, theories begin, end and are grounded, ultimately, in Lesbians—Lesbian lives, Lesbian experiences, and Lesbian perspectives. Placing Lesbians in the center of theory, that is taking Lesbians as a starting point and the focus of the journey in thinking about theory, is a radical act. This radical act of Lesbian centrality has been repeated, explicitly and implicitly, throughout the history of Sinister Wisdom. The journal is a space where Lesbian ideas and Lesbian theories are expressed and explored by Lesbians and for Lesbians. Here in these pages Lesbian theories have been created, expanded, evaluated, and discussed, and with the Lesbian theories, controversies have also erupted. This issue continues that important dialogue about theories and controversies in our community. One of the first people I spoke with about the issue is Catherine Crouch. I wanted to include her story about what happened with her film "The Gendercator," which was a flashpoint in the controversy about transgender people and Lesbian communities. Catherine’s interview with Robin Epstein as well as information about her film, "The Gendercator," is included in this issue. Throughout this issue "The Gendercator" is referenced explicitly and implicitly which I found quite gratifying as it is a provocative and important source of discussion in our community. Also tackling transgender questions are Carolyn Gage and Bev Jo. Carolyn’s one act play, Bite My Thumb, is a provocative exploration of gender and identity. Interestingly, the play has been optioned for a film by Catherine Crouch. Bev Jo’s article “In Love with My Lesbian Community” also grapples with the controversies surrounding transgender people and inclusion. Dianne Post addresses questions of genital mutilation at birth in service to the gender binary in her important piece, “What’s in a Name?” Three contributions from Australia provide fascinating perspectives on controversies that may be less familiar to North American readers. Jean Taylor writes about Lesbian solidarity with aboriginal people in Australia. Susan Hawthorne raises a series of important questions and synthesizes a great deal of important information from around the globe in her piece, “Do Lesbians have Human Rights?” Finally, Chris Sitka contributes a compelling piece about Parthenogenesis in her article, “Hope is at Hand.” Of course, creative work is included in the issue as often Lesbian poetry, drama and fiction are a fecund location for exploring the theories and controversies of our lives. I’m pleased to include new poems by Andrea Nicki, Melissa Wilson, Shawn Helmen, and Margo Solod. Carolyn Gage’s one-act play, Bite My Thumb, is included in its entirety and is delightful. I am quite excited about the excerpt from an important book that Undine Pawlowski and Donna Giancola are writing titled Her Underground. This book builds on important work of Mary Daly and others in remembering and envisioning a world in which patriarchy is no longer. Lest I forget, the issue opens with a manifesta from Alix Dobkin reminding us all of “The Importance of Being Lesbian.” Putting together this issue of Sinister Wisdom was an honor and a wonderful experience. I am grateful to all of the contributors for their work in the journal. I also honor the people who declined to contribute to the journal in solidarity with bisexual and transgender people who do not have a voice in these pages. Finding a space to sit in this work as a writer and activist who cares passionately about both the Lesbian community and also about a broader community that is bi and trans inclusive has never been easy for me, and I appreciate the loving challenges and opportunities given to me while assembling this issue. Finally, I thank Fran Day for the opportunity to participate in this community in this way and for her work in sustaining the visions and commitments of Sinister Wisdom. Julie R. EnszerSeptember 2008 |
The Front Cover
Andrea Nicki Alix Dobkin Catherine Crouch Robin Epstein Melissa Wilson Jean Taylor Carolyn Gage Shawn S. Helman Bev Jo Chris Sitka Susan Hawthorne Margo Solod Dianne Post Donna M. Giancola & Undine C. Pawlowski |
On The Back
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# 74Latina Lesbians
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In This Issue Notes for a MagazineThis issue of Sinister Wisdom is dedicated to: the memory of all the Latina* lesbians who have come before us; incarcerated women, who comprise a third of Sinister Wisdom’s readership; and those who, inside or outside the closet, continue to struggle around the world for our voices to be heard and our rights respected. Twenty-one years have passed since I published the first edition of Compañeras: Latina Lesbians (An Anthology) (1987). While the first issue included the words of 47 women born in 10 countries and the third edition (2004) those of 63 women born in 15 countries, this issue of Sinister Wisdom is equally diverse bringing together 76 women born in 12 Latin American countries and the U.S. It is an honor for me at this time to once again gather together the voices of so many Latina lesbians. Much has happened since the first edition of Compañeras was published. Latina lesbian groups have been formed, at one time or another, in the U.S. and in all but a few of the 19 Spanish-speaking countries in the “Western Hemisphere.” Latina lesbians are now visible in a host of local, national, and international civil and human rights struggles of which the lesbian and gay rights movement is only one. They have formed and joined organizations, grassroots coalitions, and international communications networks, participated in the organizing of feminist and lesbian feminist encuentros in Latin America and the Caribbean, and created women’s studies programs, research centers, and NGOs. An increasing number document our histories via the printed media and the arts, thus, increasing the wealth of information available to all of us. While some have run for political office and sought the passage of lesbian and gay rights bills and the elimination of discriminatory laws, others have joined radical revolutionary movements seeking the overthrow of oppressive regimes. Their actions have been as varied as their personalities and personal circumstances allow. Latina lesbian activism has flourished with great enthusiasm, devotion, sometimes anger, but much more frequently, love. It is in a spirit of solidarity with all oppressed peoples and the conviction that one day good will triumph over evil, that I and the contributors share our voices with all of you. Juanita Ramos Manhattan, NY, August 2008 * As here used, the term includes women of Latin American birth or parentage throughout the world. Notas para una revista Este ejemplar de Sinister Wisdom está dedicado a la memoria de todas las lesbianas latinas* que nos han precedido, las mujeres encarceladas que componen una tercera parte de las lectoras de Sinister Wisdom, y a aquellas que, desde dentro y fuera del armario (closet), continúan luchando en el mundo para que nuestras voces sean escuchadas y nuestros derechos, respetados. Hace 21 años publiqué la primera edición de Compañeras: Latina Lesbians (An Anthology) (1987). Mientras la primera edición incluyó las palabras de 47 mujeres nacidas en diez países, y la tercera edición (2004), la de 63 mujeres nacidas en 15 países, este ejemplar de Sinister Wisdom es igual de variado al unir las voces de 76 mujeres nacidas en 12 países latinoamericanos y los Estados Unidos. Es para mí un gran honor una vez más poder exponerles a las voces de tantas lesbianas latinas. Mucho ha pasado desde la publicación de la primera edición de Compañeras. Grupos de lesbianas latinas se han formado, en algún momento u otro, en casi todos los 19 países latinoamericanos y en Estados Unidos. Las lesbianas latinas ahora son visibles en numerosas luchas por los derechos civiles y humanos a nivel local, nacional e internacional, de los cuales el movimiento por los derechos de las lesbianas y los gays es solamente una. Han formado organizaciones, coaliciones y redes de comunicación. Han participado en la organización de encuentros feministas y lésbico-feministas en América Latina y el Caribe, y han creado programas de estudios de la mujer, centros de investigación y ONGS. Un número creciente documenta nuestras historias por medio de las artes y la escritura, aumentando la riqueza de información disponible a todas nosotras. Mientras algunas se han postulado para puestos políticos y han buscado derogar leyes discriminatorias y pasar leyes para proteger a las lesbianas y a los gays, otras han formado parte de movimientos radicales revolucionarios para derrocar gobiernos opresivos. Sus acciones han variado tanto como sus personalidades y sus circunstancias personales les han permitido. El activismo de las lesbianas latinas ha florecido con gran entusiasmo, devoción, a veces con rabia, pero mucho más frecuentemente con amor. Es en este espíritu de solidaridad con tod@s l@s oprimid@s y la convicción de que un día el bien triunfara sobre el mal, que las contribuyentes y yo compartimos nuestras voces con tod@s ustedes. Juanita Ramos Manhattan, NY, agosto 2008 * El término incluye a aquellas compañeras de nacimiento o descendencia latinoamericana en todo el mundo.
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The Front Cover
mariana pessah
Contributors
Mercedes Alba |
On the Back
"Remeras inteligentes"
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# 73The Art Issue
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In This Issue Notes for a Magazine Fran Day, |
The Front Cover
Jenna Weston
Contributors
sierra lonepine briano |
On the Back
"Old Oaks"
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# 72Utopia
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In This Issue Notes for a Magazine“The possible shapes of what has
not been before exist only in that back place, where we
keep those unnamed, untamed longings for something
different and beyond what is now called possible, and to
which our understanding can only build roads.” Audre
Lorde (“An Interview: Audre Lorde and Adrienne Rich”
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde p.
101). Fran Day, |
The Front Cover
Diane Germain
Contributors
Margie Adam |
On the Back
"Sisterhood is Blooming"
Frances Lorraine |
# 71Open Issue
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In This Issue Notes for a Magazine
This Open Issue of Sinister Wisdom features many writers and artists new to the pages of the journal; we enthusiastically welcome each of them to the SinisterWisdomhood! These new voices along with those of some of our regular contributors combine to bring us another exciting, empowering issue. Thank you to everyone who helps us celebrate Lesbian words, ideas and images.
Fran Day, |
The Front Cover
Verlena Johnson
Contributors
SDiane Adamz-Bogus |
On the Back
Nancy Nau
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# 7030th Anniversary Celebration
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In This Issue Dedication, Invitations, Celebrations, and Appreciations This 30th Anniversary issue of Sinister Wisdom is dedicated with love to the thousands of Lesbians whose lives have been touched by the journal. As I gathered and arranged the volumes for the photograph on the back cover, an amazing thing happened. I sensed a powerful gynergy flowing, spiraling from the collection of journals on the table. I felt thirty profound years of courage, excitement, connections, resistance, awakenings, hopes, validations, possibilities, laughter, tears, love, creativity, engagement, and stimulation. And yes, hard work, perseverance, angst, resilience and much more. Friends stopped by to admire the collection, to share memories, to celebrate the legacy of the body of work, and to give wishes for the future of Sinister Wisdom. Let these celebrations continue in the homes, communities, hearts and minds of the Sinisterhood everywhere! Appreciations: Thank you to all Lesbian Sisters, sung and unsung. Appreciations to writers, artists, readers, listeners, advisors, supporters, mailing crews, proofreaders, typists, binders, coordinators, donators, reviewers, board members, bookstore Sisters, designers, layouters, organizers, dreamers, inciters, editors, guest editors, web designers, searchers, sparkers, spinsters, weavers, comrades, friends, lovers, and others. We invite each of you reading or listening to this issue to join us in celebrating thirty inspiring years of survival and to help us continue thriving for many more years. “Let us continue to] be strong of heart; to believe in the importance of lesbian words and images as more than evidence we exist, more than documentation, more than entertainment. To know that the culture we create from our widely various lives is unique, growing as we grow, enriching us and nourishing future lesbians whose roots reach through ourselves back to the lesbians who have come before. We have to believe that what we do now directly affects lesbians to come. To know themselves fully, they must be able to touch, to read, to [feel] the gifts of our hearts.”
Fran Day, |
The Front Cover
Tee A. Corinne
Contributors
Ina Auerbach |
On the Back
Roxanna N. Fiamma
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Review of Sinister Wisdom #70 "30th Anniversary Celebration" | ||
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Click here
to read Ruth Mountaingrove's
review (in pdf
format) of SW#70 30th Anniversary Issue as it appeared in Rain and Thunder. | ||
# 68/69Death, Grief and Surviving
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NEW REVIEW OF SW #68/69 | ||
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In This Issue If anyone decides that an issue about death, grief and surviving is too depressing to read, she will miss a major chance to understand how this threesome profoundly affects Lesbians. The overwhelming majority of writing on coping with illness or death is geared towards the heterosexual community, neglecting what often are some of the most difficult aspects for Lesbians. The writing in this issue makes it clear that we need to define what is required to help one another surpass unnecessary mental and physical suffering. Too many times planning is either neglected or done in such a way that the medical establishment won’t adhere to the wishes of either partner. There is one certainty in life—none of us will escape death of self or numerous loved ones. During the past few years a number of famous women and women activists in our community have passed away. Added to this number are countless family members, partners, friends and pets who loved us as we loved them. Knowing how to ease the ongoing pain requires the input of everyone who has survived such trauma. No one truly knows what tragedy feels like until it touches her personally. Every individual has to experience loss and recovery at her own pace. To begin the quest for answers to the countless questions involved, we need to understand what brought each to this place in time. The stories, poetry and artwork woven together in the issue speak in heartbreaking terms about what losing a loved one involves. Reading about the crushing grief of so many others non-stop brought me to my knees countless times. We know the inner and outer suffering when it’s our own, but when the description of borderline unbearable pain is repeated over and over and over again by strangers, it touches a part of us we never knew existed. If we truly care for each other as a community, we should be willing to share these burdens when they arise. Judith K. Witherow, |
The Front Cover
Sue Lenaerts, Guest Editor
Contributors
Janet E. Aalfs |
On the Back
"...within the war we are all waging with the forces of death, subtle and otherwise,
conscious or not - I am not only a casualty, I am also a warrior."
Morgan Gwenwald
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 Funding for this issue was made possible through the generosity of Rose Provenzano in memory of Elena Boyd
Read
Ruth Mountaingrove's review of
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# 67Lesbians and Work
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In This Issue As Lesbians, how do we cope with heterosexism, lesbophobia, ageism, racism, classism, ableism and other oppressive policies and attitudes at work? How do we maintain our integrity (asserting our needs, defending our rights) without being penalized or losing our jobs? How do we cope with work that we find degrading, unethical, boring, stressful, dangerous, disabling, and/or unsatisfying? How do we cope with the myth that there is meaningful, well-paid work out there for everyone if we only try hard enough? What experiences have we had with successful alliances with other Lesbians at work? What positive experiences have we had at work where we felt we were doing something useful, where we were acknowledged for our unique contributions, and/or where we had a reasonable workload, healthy working conditions, and adequate compensation and benefits? These were some of the questions we asked in our call for material for this issue on Lesbians and Work. We also suggested other topics which included unions, workaholism, exploitation of workers, having to work as a child, while chronically ill, or while caregiving a sick/disabled partner. Understandably, many of those who planned to write for this issue found themselves too exhausted from working to do so. Some reported that they had just been laid off and had to put all their energies into finding other work. Nevertheless, many thought-provoking pieces found their way into our mailbox. The contributors to this issue of Sinister Wisdom explore the complex issues Lesbians encounter at work with imagination, creativity, compassion, grit and determination. "Sisters, let us put our heads together and create ways to improve the world of work for Lesbians and all oppressed people. Let us explore ways to sustain ourselves and each other outside the patriarchal work world. Sisters, take heart, unite, support each other, form alliances, and find courage and solidarity in our love for our kind ... "
Tanager,
Sister Courage
Fran Day, Editor
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The Front Cover
Cathy Cade
Contributors
Joan Annsfire |
On the Back
Cathy Cade
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# 66Lesbians and Activism
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In This Issue “ For positive social change to occur we must imagine a reality that differs from what already exists…. Activism is the courage to act consciously on our ideas, to exert power in resistance to ideological pressure—to risk leaving home.”Gloria Anzaldúa, This Bridge We Call Home: Radical Visions for Transformation. Routledge, 2002, p. 5. Many of us once believed that activism meant demonstrations, picket lines, protests, street theater, sit-ins and public hearings. Now we realize that activism also includes protest songs, political art, resistance writings, radical teaching, private rebellions and much more. Some of us can no longer walk in the streets but we can write articles and poetry, give speeches, compose music, create art, and/or inspire others. Some of us actively resist by using a very anti-academic voice in our writings, embracing the most unofficial language we can find. In Julia Penelope’s words, we are unlearning the lies of the fathers’ tongues. As activists, we at Sinister Wisdom are committed to providing a forum for diverse Lesbian voices by printing writing (and art) that is often not published by mainstream presses. We know that there are many ways to write; we will not force patriarchal language rules on our contributors. We believe that each writer knows best how she wants to write about her experiences and ideas. We are committed to publishing writing that is readable and interesting to all of us in all our beautiful diversity. Some Lesbians have decided to separate from patriarchy, to detach, to refuse to put energy into challenging systems from within. They choose to be actively engaged in building a Lesbian world, devoting their love, energy, and thought into creating new ways of being. Sonia Johnson writes, “I dream of women's world, I remember it, I invent it. I love it and long for it and live in the memory of it as much as I am able. Caring profoundly about femaleness, I am loyal only to women, respecting and honoring us, awed by the power that is ours exclusively. All my thought and attention and energy is for women, and I rejoice constantly that I am one. Female is my species and my home” (p. 16). We need all of us doing whatever works for us, following our own hearts and dreams. Kim River and jody jewdyke write, “We deeply value all the forms of activism of all the Dykes who have worked and continue to work to change the world. We value the many things Dykes have done, and are doing to create and sustain Lesbian culture and community (p. 53). |
The Front Cover
"Unplugging Patriarchy's Chains" Bea Loud
Hungry for a better world, Lesbians are (and have been)
actively involved in every movement for social
change, peace and justice, and global awareness.
We refuse to collaborate in our own oppression,
the oppression of others, and the destruction of
our planet. The contributors to this issue of
Sinister Wisdom passionately write (and create
art) about their fierce determination to make a
difference.
Fran Day, Editor
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On the Back
Lesbians and Activism Excerpt from an Interview with Rhonda Simmons, Vancouver, Canada Some people would say I have many strikes against me. I am woman, I am a Lesbian, I am Black, I am a fat Dyke, I have a mental illness, I am a survivor, and I'm poor. But I see all of those strikes as opportunities. For me, not only to lead by example, but to talk about my experiences that have been full of adversity. I have used all those experiences for my highest good. I have what I want. And what I have is being able to communicate through my art of who I am and how I go through the world. Which ultimately connects in some way with whoever is seeing/experiencing my art. I've learned from my experiences and transformed them into opportunities for social change. Every time I do a piece in terms of political action, I am given an opportunity to learn more about the issue. This allows me to constantly reframe my perspective. Excerpt from "Activism from a Lesbian Feminist Perspective" by Jean Taylor, Melbourne, Australia Whereas writing is my breath (I breathe therefore I write) lesbian activism has been and still is my life's blood. I count myself extremely fortunate that over these past 30 plus years I have had the opportunity not only to participate in one of the most vibrant and politically necessary revolutionary movements of our time but the Women's Liberation Movement has enabled me to instigate changes so I can live my life as a radical lesbian feminist in ways that suit my best interests. |
Contributors | ||
| Shaba A. Barnes Tanya Brannan Cathy Cade Lenore Chinn Chrystos Tee A. Corinne Martha Courtot Nisa Donnelly Elana Dykewomon Francis Eatherington Elizabeth Freeman Judy Freespirit Sheridan Gold Tamara Gorin |
Dianna Grayer |
Mary Meriam Sasha Merritt Elaine Mikels Cheryl J. Moore Ruth Mountaingrove Laurie Parsons Kim Rivers Lilith Rogers Rhonda Simmons Margaret Sloan-Hunter Jean Taylor Judith K. Witherow Merle Woo zana |
# 65Lesbian Mothers and Grandmothers
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In This Issue
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The Front Cover
"Self-portrait with children" Marie LaPre' Grabon
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On the Back
"Michelle & Paisley" Marie LaPre' Grabon |
Contributors | ||
| Kendra Brooks Tee A. Corinne Sara Farrell Deb Friedman Victoria Ferrara-Loris Lisa Figueroa Amy Gamble Merry Gangemi Maggie Harrison Cherie James |
Lori L. Lake Marie LaPre' Grabon Sue Lenaerts Patricia MacAodha Suzanne Mahue Jane Mara Linda Markin Lynn Martin Mary Meriam Kerry McCabe Janell Moon |
Ruth Mountaingrove Leslea Newman Marjorie Norris Minnie Bruce Pratt Alison Prine Sudie Rakusin Lilith Lynn Rodgers Leah Simpson Mary Spicer Judith K. Witherow |
# 64
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In This Issue This issue celebrates Lesbian music, dance, drama, and art. How has your life as a Lesbian been touched by one or all of these creative arts? How has Lesbian culture been impacted? When did you first hear Lesbian music or see a Lesbian play or art exhibit and how did that inspire you to build community? Lesbian musicians, dancers, choreographers, playwrights, actors, artists and others have written about their experiences. Included in this issue: related
interviews, photographs, and
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The Front Cover
"Either/Or"
Virginia R. Harris |
On the Back
"Angela Wellman, Trombonist"
Jean Weisinger |
Contributors | ||
| Laura Aguilar Tangren Alexander Kathleen Allen Jamie Anderson Kristan Aspen Sierra Lonepine Briano Becky Banasiak Code karen Cooper Tee A. Corinne Alix Dobkin Barbara Ester Ferron Roxanna Fiamma Judy Freespirit |
Carolyn Gage Sheridan Gold Bethroot Gwynn Ann Hackler Virginia R. Harris Happy/ L. A. Hyder Sarita Johnson Susan E. Keleher Lori L. Lake Hawk Madrone Ona Marae Rose Marcario Jess McVey Mary Meriam |
Bonnie J. Morris Ruth Mountaingrove Marjorie Norris Sudie Rakusin Reign Lilith Rogers Jean Sirius Sandy Tate Jean Taylor Mary Watkins Jean Weisinger Cris Williamson zana |
Sinister Wisdom #64: Lesbians and Music, Drama and Art
Review written by Ruth Mountaingrove (reprinted with permission from The -L- Word Newsletter [June 2005]) This issue of Sinister Wisdom is a feast. How many of these lesbians have you heard of or know their work? Singer-songwriters Ferron, Cris Williamson, Jamie Anderson, Alix Dobkin? They are all in this issue. How about Mary Watkins? There is an interview with her by Sandy Tate. How about artists Tee Corinne, Sudie Rakusin, Lenore Chinn, photographers Hawk Madrone and Jean Weisinger? Have you heard of Happy/L.A. Hyder? She founded LVA, Lesbians in the Visual Arts in San Francisco in 1990. You can visit LVA at www.lesbianarts.org. How about Kristan Aspen and her partner Janna MacAuslan and their duo Musica Femina Flute Guitar? Kristan and her partner live in Portland, Oregon and a few years ago came down to Arcata to do a house concert. Her article is on the herstory of the lesbian music of the Northwest. She begins in the year 1970 with an overview of lesbian music. Ann Hackler writes about the Institute for Musical Arts (IMA) More at www.ima.org. She founded IMA and is the executive director. Then there is theatre. Carolyn Gage has a one act play, The Drum Lesson which a drumming circle might like to perform. Gage is the author of the play Joan of Arc and forty-eight other plays, musicals and one woman shows, as well as four books on lesbian theatre. Have you heard of Bethroot Gwynn? Well that depends on whether you were here in Arcata when she performed her one woman show Immaculate Decision, about abortion, at Humboldt State University. She has a new one I would like to see - Women; the Longest Revolution, A Performance Documentary (2003 - 2004) There are some coming out stories. Tangren Alexander's article is called How Lesbian Music Changed My Life and Lesbian Art Sustained It. Lesbians can attest to that. Many of these women are multi-talented. Hawk Madrone who took the photograph of Bethroot in performance is also the author of the book Weeding at Dawn. She is land partners with Bethroot and they own Fly-a-Way Home where Bethroot directs Personal Theatre. Tee Corinne is not only an artist but also a photographer of famous lesbian writers and a poet, novelist, and non-fiction recorder and preserver of lesbian herstory in southern Oregon. Laura Aguilar, a Latina and a lesbian writes about her and other Latinas' invisibility in the Los Angeles gay and lesbian community. She is a photographer and has two photographs in this issue of Sinister Wisdom. One is set in the forest and the other at the beach, These are part of an on going project of self-portraits. Kathleen Allen writes movingly from her prison cell about her life as a poet and writer and why she destroyed all that work. Music from her harmonica has eased the tensions of her prison life for her. Ruth Mountaingrove writes about Lesbian and Art, about the women's movement and her art in the late sixties, the seventies, the early eighties, first in Philadelphia and then in Oregon and lastly in California. There are more lesbians creating art and I am pleased to be part of this book. Fran Day, the editor, has done herself proud bringing together so many talented women. | ||
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#63 Lesbians and Nature Cover by Sudie Rakusin We hope to have Issue #63 "Lesbians and Nature" available on tape soon. |
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#62 Lesbian Writers
Cover by Sudie Rakusin |
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Past Issues Available |
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| #61 -
Women Loving Women In Prison
#58 - An Open Issue #57 - On Healing - diverse voices explore healing #55 - Exploring issues of racial and sexual identification #54 - Lesbians and Religion - questions of faith and community #53 - Old Dykes/Lesbians - a landmark issue, guest edited by nine lesbians over 60, with work by 39 old dykes/lesbians #52 - The Allies Issue #51 - New Lesbian Writing #50 - Not the Ethics Issue we had planned - read it to find out why! Guest edited by Caryatis Cardea and Sauda Burch #49 - The Lesbian Body: Where Flesh and Theory Meet #48 - Lesbian Resistance - including works by dykes in prision #47 - Lesbians of Color: Tellin' It Like It 'Tis: Special 160 page issue written and produced by lesbians of color #43/44 - 15th Anniversary Retrospective: 368 pages packed with Herstory - Don't miss this one! #41 - Special Italian-American Women's Issue, guest edited by Giovanna (Janet) Capone and Denise Leto #40 - On Friendship #39 - Disability #36 - Surviving Psychiatric Assault/Creating Emotional Well Being in Our Communities #34 - SciFi, Fantasy and Lesbian Visions |
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