d e r d n i K
F EBRUARY 2014
i S G i v i n g Wo m e n a Vo i c e
s r ts e
Kindred Sisters Volunteers: Lynn, Jennifer, Judy, Shewolf, Rainbow
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Our Mission: Kindred Sisters’ mission is to provide a forum of news, events, and ideas for, by, and about lesbians and their kindred sisters of all classes, races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities. Kindred Sisters, PO Box 141674, Gainesville, FL 32614
KindredSisters@gmail.com www.KindredSistersMagazine.com
Kindred Sisters “Giving Women a Voice” February 2014
StoryCorps in Gainesville StoryCorps, the national oral history project will be recording the stories of the Gainesville community in February 2014. The StoryCorps Mobile Booth will be located at the Alachua County Library – downtown branch. Participants record a 40-minute conversation with a friend or loved one and receive a broadcast quality CD of their recording. With consent the recording will be archived with the Library of Congress Folklife Archive and a small percentage are edited for broadcast on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition. Public reservations are made on a first-come, firstserve basis by logging onto the website at www.storycorps.org/reservations or by calling the 24-hour reservations line 800-850-4406. The interview is free. StoryCorps is a nonprofit whose mission is to offer people of all backgrounds and beliefs the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives for future generations of families to hear. StoryCorps is eager to record and archive the stories of the Gainesville LBGT community.
Cover: This month’s cover art is provided by Eleanor Leonne Bennett, Bennett a 16 year old internationally award winning photographer and artist who has won first places with National Geographic, The World Photography Organization, Nature's Best Photography, Papworth Trust, Mencap, The Woodland Trust and Postal Heritage. Her photography has been published in the Telegraph, The Guardian, BBC News Website and on the cover of books and magazines in the United States and Canada. Her art is globally exhibited, having shown work in London, Paris, Indonesia, Los Angeles, Florida, Washington, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Canada, Spain, Germany, Japan, Australia and The Environmental Photographer of the year Exhibition (2011) amongst many other locations. She was also the only person from the UK to have her work displayed in the National Geographic and Airbus run See The Bigger Picture global exhibition tour with the United Nations International Year Of Biodiversity 2010. www.eleanorleonnebennett.zenfolio.com
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Chili CookCook-Off Saturday, February 1st 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sliding Scale $5 - $10 Come to the Pride Community Center to taste the best chili that Gainesville has to offer! Admission includes a bowl of the “house” chili, chili samples, corn bread, a dessert bar, and all the water you can drink. We are looking for chefs to compete in this challenge. To enter, send an ee-mail to pridectr@bellsouth.net. Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, based on the votes of those who attend. Cash bar and admission proceeds support the programs of the Center.
GAINESVILLE 2014 PRIDE THEME CONTEST $150 Cash Prize for the theme selected by PCCNCF for use as our official 2014 Pride Theme! This theme will be used on our 2014 Pride Logo, t-shirts, website, Pride Program, and promotional literature. All submissions become the property of Pride Community Center of North Central Florida. Themes must be submitted to Pride Community Center at pridectr@bellsouth.net by noon on February 10th.
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Home Van Pet Care Project News Providing Food for Pets of the Homeless “All I want is all there is and then some. All I want is all there is and more …” (long forgotten song fragment) That’s how much pet food we want for our Project. We received what I would call “a gracious plenty,” through the past year, and especially at Christmas. Even though these thanks are coming to you a bit delayed, please know that is because we had so much to give, a welcome predicament. Many donations are anonymous, especially those that are dropped off quietly at a friend’s house. Results of a food drive that is a contest between two departments at UF are kind of mind-boggling. And our very quiet financial donors are very much appreciated. Because of all this generosity we are able to do more. In 2013 we provided three dozen county license tags for dogs, also running lines that provide more freedom at campsites, several dog or cat shelters, and were able to help with relocation of several animals.
Kitty Tiffany who was abandoned when her family was evicted was relocated to a small local sanctuary. We placed a kitty there once before and can see she is doing well. Several dogs and puppies were taken in to rescue groups or foster homes, on their way to a permanent home.
permanent home. If you want to know more about these groups, there is a very good monthly publication called “Critter Magazine” that is available free at Civic Media Center, Earth Origins and Earth Pets, or call Critter at 352486-1705 for many other locations. We ask you to support the rescue groups by volunteering and donating, and to support spay/ neuter. This will help insure that all companion animals are born to loving homes, we won’t see skinny mama kitties rooting in dumpsters and precious pups abandoned in the woods. We always need volunteers for our Project. There are limits to what people can carry on a bike or on foot, so sometimes help is needed to transport pet food and so on. Transporting the animals from one place to another is also sometimes needed. We have an ongoing need for pet food, of course (“all there is and more”). If you can donate pet food, call 352-473-9423 for current needs. Financial donations can be made by check to Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., c/o Elizabeth Howard, P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville, FL 32604 or Pay Pal at our blog, homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com. General information # is 352-473-9423.
A word about the rescue groups. We have about 20 of these groups in our area and we are very lucky to have them. These groups take animals from Animal Services, place them in foster homes and take responsibility for finding each animal a
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Poetry Corner Right Through My Memories by Constance Leona Wagner I see the clouds floating by, reflected on my glass top table, Slow puffs…. Like Merlin’s breath… Blowing dreams right through my memories. I sit listening to the birds calling.. from the gulls, To the Hawks shrill plea….. We are made from illusions of someone’s thoughts…. Constant theirs may be... Created by their own reality.
Pride TT-Shirts $5 SPECIAL In an unprecedented spirit of community pride (and an ongoing dedication to enlarge our coffers) PCCNCF has decided to offer the 2013 “COME OUT AS YOU ARE!” Pride T-shirt for $5 (a $10 savings!). Come by the center to pick up your shirt(s) sizes S to 4X during our regular hours: Noon to 4pm on Saturdays and 3-7pm, Monday through Friday. We are very proud of these shirts and would like to see them more visible in the community.
www.gainesvillepride.org
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In the Spotlight Cathy DeBuono Cathy DeBuono is a rare actress in Hollywood. While many actresses remain in the closet, or at least “guarded” about their personal lives, she is not only out and proud, but is actively seeking out lesbian roles. She’s happy for the new gay opportunities like HereTV and Logo, plus she has a strong presence on the web. She has a video blog on The Smoking Cocktail called “What’s Your Problem?” where she dishes with other Hollywood celebrities and then answers real psychology questions from viewers around the world. excerpt from www.lesbianlife.about.com
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ANNOUNCING...
FUN & GAMES NIGHT at the Pride Community Center What it is: An LGBT social night for players of Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, and other popular board games When is it: Our first get together will be Friday, February 7 at 7pm. Monthly thereafter. Come join us. Meet new friends and have fun playing your favorite games. Info & Contact: Paul at 352-339-4589 or pauldj108@gmail.com
“Orange is the New Black” Night Friday, February 21st 7:00pm The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is hosting “Orange is the New Black” Night. Settle into the center’s comfortable couches as you watch Piper Chapman and Alex Vause on our big screen TV. We’ve started at the beginning with season one and will continue into season two when it is released in early 2014. Snacks are proved and a two dollar donation is requested. Visit out our Facebook page for more information. PCCNCF, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. www.gainesvillepride.org
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The Old Lady and the Purple Dragon by Julie Ford
“TECHNOLOGICAL NEANDERTHAL” As a technological Neanderthal, the term “user friendly” is a major recommendation for The Old Lady. So far, she has avoided smartphones; her stupidphone is complicated enough, thank you, but she has managed to master texting, setting alarms, and the all-important feature “making a phone call.” The laptop sometimes stymies her, but she manages since she uses it mostly as a word processor and library (the word “google” has been in the dictionary for some years now). So imagine her surprise and pride when she finally managed to set up her own website and start her own blog! She uses iPages as the host and WordPress as the production tool. She chose both on the basis of their user friendly features and 24/7 Help desks. When The Old Lady got stuck on a simple procedure (simple, if you know how to do it!) her late-night phone appeal was handled by a young techie somewhere in California who walked her patiently through the matter without once making her feel old and stupid. The technological Neanderthal EVOLVES! You can find the blog at http://www.OldLadyAndPurpleDragon.com. Readers welcome!
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Boxer Ana Laura "La Monita" Esteche Comes Out after Winning World Championship Belt In what observers are calling a stunning upset, professional Argentine boxer Ana Laura Esteche defeated three-time defending light welterweight World Boxing Association champion Monica Silvina Acosta when the two met in San Clemente del Tuyú on January 20th. For Esteche, better known in Argentina as "La Monita," it was her second try at the championship and her first world title. It was also the night she became the second professional boxer to ever come out while still active in the sport following the steps of Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz who came out in October of 2012. In a ringside interview immediately following the fight, Esteche was asked if it had yet dawned on her that she was a world champion. Caught in the moment and overwhelmed by tears, Esteche began by thanking her trainers but extended those thanks to "her woman and my mother-in-law."
Professional boxers Ana Laura "La Monita" Esteche (left) and Yohana "Yoki" Giménez
She also said she had given her all during the match to demonstrate the tremendous day-to-day efforts she had put into the fight along with her trainers and "my woman." Amazingly, Esteche's partner happens to be another WBA professional boxer who tied in a match earlier that same night: Johanna "Yoki" Giménez. Speaking to ESPN's Carlos Irusta, Esteche says that while she is not entirely distant from her parents they do not see each other often and says that they do not approve of her relationship to Giménez. She also tells him they both come from such poor backgrounds that they have to make a living scavenging construction materials from buildings that have been torn down in the poorest districts of Buenos Aires. "It builds muscles," Esteche jokes. Finally, on her decision to come out, Esteche says "It's that it's something that you should not hide, after all happiness is not something you should hide, it's something to be shared and I - we - are happy." excerpt from www.blabbeando.blogspot.com
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Calling all Trans* Artists!!!! Pride Community Center is holding its first ever Trans* Art Night in the next few months. We are in need of all types of artists!! Let’s celebrate and promote visibility of Trans* folks in our community by exhibiting our Art!!! A portion of the art sales will go to Spectrum/TransAwareness group and the remainder to the artist. Please email TransArtNight@gmail.com if interested.
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WhatÊs Happening? Feb 1, 12-5pm: Buddha Card Readings with Rev. Steve Henry. $35/half hour, $60/hour. Call to sign up or walk in. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net Feb 1, 4-6pm: TEA TIME! Like tea?? Want some?? Come get some!! Radical Press Coffee Collective is hosting a tea tasting and introducing our new Tea Passport! We will be tasting green, black, white, oolong, and a variety of herbal teas. Light snacks will be available, including Cucumber-Cashew Cream Cheese Sandwiches, scones, cookies and more! You will also have an opportunity to get started on your Tea Passport! Try all of our teas and you get a FREE Radical Press TEA-shirt!! Tea Passports can be purchased in advance for a discounted price. Ask us about it when we see you there!! Radical Press, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. Feb 1, 6-8pm: Chili Cook-Off Join us at the Pride Center to taste the best Chili that Gainesville has to offer. Try them all and then vote for your favorite! Admission and Cash Bar proceeds support the programs of the Center. Admission, which is $5-10 (sliding scale), includes a bowl of the “house” chili, chili samples, corn bread, a dessert bar, and all the water you can drink. Sign up today to participate in the friendly challenge! Prizes will be awarded to the top three. FMI contact 352-377-8915 or pridectr@bellsouth.net. www.gainesvillepride.org
whatever else strikes her fancy - her performances are storytelling in motion and she always makes the audience part of her story. Grab some friends or some sweeties and come listen to live music. Tickets available online, in-store and the night of the show! Wild Iris Books, 22 SE 5th Ave Ste D, Gainesville. www.wildirisbooks.com Feb 7, 7pm: LGBT Fun & Games Night A monthly LGBT social night for players of Chess, Checkers, Monopoly, and other popular board games. Come join us. Meet new friends and have fun playing your favorite games. Info & Contact: Paul at 352-339-4589 or pauldj108@gmail.com. Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. Feb 8, 12-5pm: Love Readings with Omialadora Ajamu, priestess of Yemojah (African Shell Divination) and Andrea Elenar (Akashic Records). Mini Readings $20, longer readings may be available. Call or walk in. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, high Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net
Feb 2, 4pm: Wimmin's Movie Night See back cover for details.
Feb 8, 10pm: Ocala Pride Fundraiser Join us for the 1st seasonal Ocala Pride Inc Fundraiser at The Copa where we are having a Birthday Blowout!! ALL February birthdays will be eligible to win a COMPLETE makeover courtesy of (en.ve) Salon! ALL Cover Charge proceeds will go to benefit our BRAND NEW Ocala Pride! The cover is $5 for 21 and up and $10 for 18-20! Come out and support your community at this KICK START OPI event where volunteers will be ON HAND to assist you and answer any questions you have about our upcoming Pride Season! The Copa, 2330 S Pine Ave, Ocala.
Feb 2, 7pm: Zoe Lewis Concert If you missed her last show, here's another chance for you to see Zoe Lewis live at Wild Iris. Zoe's played all over the world, has a reputation for rocking Olivia Cruises and is in general an awesome individual. A quirky musical genius she'll play piano, harmonica, spoons and
Feb 8-9: LegiCamp 2014 LegiCamp is designed to be a place for progressive groups to pool resources and work co-cooperatively around specific Florida issues. It is a great environment to nurture collaboration among diverse groups and to build coalitions capable of getting their voices heard in a hostile
Feb 2: Candlemas, Imbolc, Brigid's Day
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WhatÊs Happening? environment. Held at University Of Florida, Physics Complex, Gainesville. www.facebook.com/FL.Progressives Feb 9: GRR Bootcamp This is a great opportunity to fulfill your New Year's Resolution of becoming a Gainesville Roller Rebel! For three consecutive Sundays in February -- the 9th, 16th, and 23rd -- we will be hosting a derby skills and informational bootcamp. Participants will learn basic and foundational skating skills, as well as, informational sessions on gear, derby 101, and some off skate training lessons. Prices: The bootcamp, for all three Sundays, will cost $30.00. This registration price includes the rental of all derby gear. Any participants who already have gear will receive a $10.00 discount off of the registration price. There is absolutely no previous experience required! Just bring a positive attitude and a love for derby, and we will provide the rest! Participant registration may be limited to a certain amount of people so register AS SOON AS YOU CAN! This is a great opportunity to get involved in roller derby and become part of an amazing community! Bootcamp held at the Alachua County Fairgrounds in Gainesville. www.gainesvillerollerrebels.com Feb 11, 7pm: QSpirit Discussion Group LGBTQ issues are often highly debated in religious spheres and people sometimes have a difficult time reconciling their queer and/or trans* identity with their religious or spiritual one(s). LGBT Affairs is starting a brand new discussion group to discuss these issues and create a space for LGBTQ people of faith. Join us for the first group meeting to learn more about what the group envisions for the semester and to get the conversation started. **Please email the facilitator, Noor Najafi, at noormn33@gmail.com to reserve a spot in the group!** The meeting will be in the Rainbow Room in Peabody Hall (4th floor). Since this meeting is after building hours, you can access the 4th floor by taking the elevator in between Peabody and Criser Halls. Kindred Sisters — February 2014
Feb 11, 8:30pm: Vfest A Vfest celebration at the Civic Media Center featuring: Killarney Star, Wax Wings, GUTS, Julie Karr. CMC, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. Feb 12, 7pm: Slam Up Tour - Where Poetry Meets Comedy Join us for Cali and Emily as they travel through the south bringing poetry and laughter everywhere they go. The show is FREE and will be in the Civic Media Center! And as a bonus, two of your favorite local Gainesville poets will be opening the show! Slam Up is an innovative mix of comedy and poetry through music and spoken word featuring Cali Bulmash and Emily Lowinger. They'll rap, sing, spit (poetry), & grab you by the heartstrings with their tales of the many shades of love-- requited, unrequited, gay, straight, queer, or, well, just "creative." CMC, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. Feb 14, 6:30pm: PCCNCF Annual Membership Meeting Open to the public. Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. www.gainesvillepride.org Feb 14, 7:30pm: The Vagina Monologues The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with more than 200 women. With humor and grace the piece celebrates women's sexuality and strength. Through this play and the liberation of this one word, countless women throughout the world have taken control of their bodies and their lives. Doors open at 6:30pm for this special Valentine's Day event which includes dessert and a free glass of wine before the show! Come early to mingle and enjoy our art show! Tickets: $30 (proceeds benefit Peaceful Paths). (Other showings on Feb 22 & 24.) Hippodrome State Theater, 25 SE 2nd Pl, Gainesville. www.eventbrite.com
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WhatÊs Happening? Feb 15, 11-6pm: Champagne and Chocolate Valentine's Day Extravaganza Indulge yourself with crystal love - free crystal Valentine gift for everyone plus champagne, chocolate and our fabulous jewelry sale. Free. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd, High Springs. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net Feb 21, 6:30pm: February Feminist Friday Fridays with the Feminists. Such fun. The Fat Tuscan Café, 725 NE 1st St, Gainesville. Feb 21, 7pm: “Orange is the New Black” Night The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida is hosting “Orange is the New Black” Night. Settle into the center’s comfortable couches as you watch Piper Chapman and Alex Vause on our big screen TV. We’ve started at the beginning with season one and will continue into season two when it is released in early 2014. Snacks are proved and a two dollar donation is requested. PCCNCF, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. www.gainesvillepride.org Feb 22, 2-4pm: "The Earth Gives Us What We Need - New Stones from the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show" Workshop with Sharron Britton. $20. Call to sign up. High Springs Emporium, 660 NW Santa Fe Blvd. 386-454-8657, www.highspringsemporium.net Feb 26, 6pm: Equality Florida Mixer Please join us for an Equality Florida General Membership Mixer at Five Bar, a brand new bar and eatery in downtown Gainesville. This event is designed for Equality Florida members, LGBT equality supporters, and those new to the organization to gather, mingle, and learn how to support equality in FL. There will be delicious light bites and a cash bar. No charge! We hope you will join us. Five Bar, 104 S Main St. www.eqfl.org
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Ongoing Events AA Meetings in Gainesville LGBT Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings on Sundays at 7:30pm at Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. AA Meetings in St. Augustine LGBT AA Meetings held at 7pm on Saturdays at Flagler Hospital in the Alicia room. Buy Local at the Weekly Farm Market! Everything Fresh. Everything Local. Every Sunday, 2-5pm. Fresh baked bread, Farm fresh eggs & produce, Unique ethnic cuisines, Homemade soaps, candles, & more! Citizens Co-op Courtyard, 435 S Main St, Gainesville. www.citizenscoop.com Confidential HIV & STD Testing - FREE 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month at 5-7pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. Drag Bingo Mondays at 9pm at The Jones B-Side Veranda, 203 SW 2nd Avenue, Gainesville Farm Stead Saturday Saturdays, 9am-3pm, at Crones’ Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217th Pl in Citra, FL. Farm Tours & Organic Produce! 352-595-3377 Gainesville Area NOW Gainesville Area National Organization for Women (NOW) hosts Feminist Friday Happy Hours, regular planning meetings, and occasional protests, rallies, programs and tabling events. Please see their website, GainesvilleNOW.org, for more details. Find their flyers at Wild Iris Books & on Campus. Gainesville Area Women’s Network GAWN is the friendliest networking in town. Supportive women gather for lunch, to network & learn from each other & guest speakers. Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of each month Kindred Sisters — February 2014
WhatÊs Happening? at the Sweetwater Branch Inn. 352-215-1621, www.gawn.org Gaynesville Queer Reading Group Meets 2nd Wednesday every month at 7pm to discuss a book that relates to queerness, including history, theory, fiction, etc. Civic Media Center, 433 S Main St. 352-373-0010 Interweave A group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, & transgender individuals & their allies. Meets at 6:30pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville, 4225 NW 34th St. Potluck, presentation, & discussion. "Just Us" Created for professional women 35+ to meet & mingle. Meets the last Saturday of the month at different restaurants, mostly in Volusia County. Join us for fun & food. "No mess, no men, no fuss, it's "Just Us". Contact Dee, dee1023@yahoo.com Lesbian Readings & Potluck We have a good time together! Come and eat good food, bring something you have written and want to share, and/or come and listen to others read. Some womyn come just to the potluck, some just to the readings, and some to both. It's a lovely, connected evening with a small group of womyn as we share our stories and food. Time: 6:30 - Potluck; 7:30 - Readings. Place: TBA. Contact: Madeline 352-335-3138. PFLAG Gainesville PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) meets monthly (3rd Tuesday) at 7pm to realize our goal of moving equality forward. United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Ave. 352-340-3770, www.pflaggainesville.org
“Sister Song” - Women's Choir All are welcome; no experience needed. Rehearsals every Wednesday at 7pm at Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St Ste 62. For more info contact Ruth at 352-538-4927. Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County LGBT Democrats & supporters meet monthly on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 6pm at the Alachua County Democratic Hdqtrs, 901 NW 8th Ave #A-3. Transgender Gainesville Discussion Group Meets on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Trans* Movie Night Join Spectrum and PCCNCF on the 2nd Friday of each month at 7pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. spectrumgainesville@yahoo.com What the Animals Tell Me Every Wednesday at 8:30pm Flash Silvermoon hosts a live internet radio show for animal lovers. Listen to the live stream or check the archives later: www.internetvoicesradio.com Youth Discussion Group PCCNCF hosts a weekly “Youth Discussion Group” for GLBT youth between the ages of 14 & 18 years old on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. FMI call 352-377-8915
Don’t forget to inform us of your up-coming events!! Just email KindredSisters@gmail.com.
PFLAG Ocala Group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6-8pm at the Ocala Public Library (Room B). FMI 352-857-1739. Kindred Sisters — February 2014
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Protect yourself from STDs and HIV! Visit the Pride Community Center to get your FREE condoms. Regular, non-latex, and even female condoms are available. PCCNCF, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville.
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Runaways, Cops, and Dykes I watch a lot of CSI missing persons drama, where they are counting down hours in fear of finding not the victim, but a body. But my own runaway tale is more about my INDEPENDANCE, SELF WILL, and strong sense of direction. Four or five, left at my aunt’s while parents worked, and playing with neighbor kids unsupervised, which was normal in those days. I’ve forgotten the reason I wanted to be gone, wanted to return HOME, many blocks away. We usually drove and I knew the route by heart. Easy enough to reverse it: down COLLEGE to KINGS HIGHWAY corner, along FAIRFIELD many streets to ELMWOOD, 5 houses from corner: HOME! easy peezy I thought. But after many blocks along the fancy smanzy FAIRFIELD, and not finding MY corner and familiar neighbor houses, I sat down to rest and study the scene. A YARDMAN cutting grass on what we would now call an ESTATE spotted this tiny white child and realized instantly the situation. Shreveport Police were notified, dispatched, and soon a friendly officer in uniform pulled up and chatted me. “ARENT YOU JOHNNY PARKER’S CHILD? I know your dad. I’ll take you to the station for an ice cream, while he fetches you.” My dad was a drinker, a very out going salesman, with a wide circle of friends and saloons. OR HAD HE BEEN ARRESTED and known as a problem to be aware of? It was all treated without DRAMA or TRAUMA, and soon my parents came to pick me up. I don’t recall the ice cream, or soda pop. (I would have chosen DR PEPPER in those days) but only remember how smooth and comfortable it was. Natural to be looked after by cops in my town!?! AS A HIPPIE, we had severe criticism for uniforms, called them PIGS and saw brutality and abuses. NOT MY COUSIN TOMMY. He became a deputy sheriff for Caddo Parish, looking for a father figure, he became one. He loved reading and history and learned about the people and parts of town he served. AS A YOUNG PEACE ACTIVIST, 1983-4 I joined THE FLORIDA womens PEACE WALK, 400 miles in 40 days. I was wearing my political tee shirt when he stopped by mom’s kitchen for a cup of coffee and a hug. I felt how stiff his body was and he explained he “wore bulletproof vest when on duty. Had been shot at and it was worth the discomfort to feel SAFE.” TOMMY A PIG? NOT! I told him about our wimmins Peace Walk and without “coming out” I FELT HE “GOT IT” and accepted who I was, had become. He had known me all my life, and to him, SUE was DIFFERENT, went her own way...INDEPENDANT, SELF WILL and strong sense of direction. SO MAYBE IN MY HOMETOWN OF SHREVEPORT there is a different species of PIGS, that are always looking OUT and looking AFTER. OR MAYBE I’M A LUCKY DYKE. All these years later, Tommy and I have a stronger bond. So many have died, that WE are now THE ELDERS and somehow AWESOME. HERE’S TO LT TOMMY WALKER, RETIRED. by Rainbow Williams
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Disney Welcomes First Same-Sex Couple Disney, the cartoon studio of yesteryear, is moving a step further in diversifying their portfolio. On January 26, Disney featured its first same sex couple on the sitcom Good Luck Charlie. In the episode, lesbian mothers Susan and Cheryl dropped off their daughter Taylor for a play date with main character Charlie. Disney announced that it planned to include a same-sex couple on Good Luck Charlie. The children's show is in its forth and final season. "Like all Disney Channel programming, it was developed to be relevant to kids and families around the world and to reflect themes of diversity and inclusiveness," a spokesperson told TV Guide. excerpt from www.gaylife.about.com
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Going to Court for Marriage Equality On January 21, six same-sex couples and Equality Florida Institute filed a lawsuit in Florida state court in Miami seeking the freedom to marry. The lawsuit argues that Florida’s laws barring same-sex couples from marriage violate the United States Constitution by denying them the legal protections and equal dignity that having the freedom to marry provides. The majority of Floridians stand with us as we take this historic step toward marriage equality in the Sunshine State. These couples have been embraced by their families and communities, but every day, Florida laws are denying them the protections and dignity that every family deserves. These harmful laws are outdated and out of step. It is time for all families in our state to have full equality under the law. The couples are from South Florida. Four of the couples are raising children, and another couple has an adult child and two grandchildren. The couples are: Catherina Pareto and Karla Arguello; Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez and David Price; Vanessa and Melanie Alenier; Todd and Jeff Delmay; Summer Greene and Pamela Faerber; and Don Price Johnston and Jorge Isaias Diaz. They are represented by the law firm Carlton Fields Jorden Burt, attorney Elizabeth F. Schwartz, attorney Mary B. Meeks and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR). For more info, go to www.eqfl.org/imengaged! Kindred Sisters — February 2014
Attn: UF Students, Alumni, Staff, and Faculty This year marks the ten year anniversary for LGBT Affairs at the University of Florida. Among several events and programs highlighting the importance of the department for the university, students, and staff, our biggest endeavor is to create an oral history. We want to document and archive the experiences of our students, staff, and faculty involved with LGBT Affairs over the past ten years. In order to get this project underway, we need to hear your stories. We are looking for participants who feel comfortable sharing their experiences and involvement with LGBT Affairs. We will be documenting these narratives through written interviews, voice recording, and/or video recordings. This will be done via email, phone calls, video chatting, or in person, if you still reside in Gainesville. Besides having this information readily available to researchers and others interested in this oral history, we will be creating programs, videos, and social media projects highlighting your stories, and celebrating having this department at the University of Florida for ten years! We want to start interviewing in midFebruary. If you are interested in participating, or have any questions please contact Roselyn Almonte at RoselynA@multicultural.ufl.edu or give us a call at 392-1217, ext. 222. Thank you for your time and go gaytors! Page 17
COMMUNITY RESOURCES Civic Media Center (CMC) 433 S Main St, 352-373-0010 CodePink -- Women for Peace jacque@codepinkalert.org, 352-468-2101, www.codepinkalert.org Crone’s Cradle Conserve Retreat 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com Flash Silvermoon - Wise Woman’s Fest www.flashsilvermoon.com, 352-475-2432 Gainesville Area AIDS Project (GAAP) 352-373-4227 or info@gaaponline.org Gainesville Community Alliance (GCA) www.gcaonline.org Gainesville Iguana http://www.afn.org/~iguana/ Gay & Lesbian National Hotline 1-888-843-4564, www.glnh.org Human Rights Council (HRCNCF) 352-372-5192 or hrcncf@gmail.com LGBT Youth Support Group gainesvillepridecenteryouth@gmail.com National Center for Lesbian Rights www.nclrights.org Peaceful Paths Domestic Violence Hotline 352-377-8255, 1-800-393-7233 www.peacefulpaths.org
Pride Community Center of North Central Florida (PCCNCF) 352-377-8915, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville www.gainesvillepride.org Pride Student Union 352-392-1665 #326 or pride@sg.ufl.edu Rainbow Families (Gay Parents Group) 352-284-4541, gayparentgroup@bellsouth.net Shake Rag Art & Culture Center 882 North State Road 21, Melrose FL 352-475-5551, www.shakeragarts.org St. Augustine MCC Church 904-824-2802, www.FirstCoastMCC.org Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County 352-373-1730, PO Box 223, Gainesville Survivors of Anti-LGBT Victimization (SAV) 352-264-6760, 1-866-252-5439 Trinity Metropolitan Community Church 352-495-3378, www.mccgainesville.org UF Office of LGBT Affairs 352-392-1217, www.lgbt.multicultural.ufl.edu Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 352-377-1669, 4225 NW 34th St, Gainesville Wild Iris Books 352-375-7477, 22 SE 5th Ave Suite D, Gainesville, www.wildirisbooks.com
Subscription Form Kindred Sisters subscriptions are $25 a year (more if you can, less if you can’t). Send this form & payment to Kindred Sisters, PO Box 141674, Gainesville, FL 32614. Name(s): __________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:____________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:____________ Zip:______________ Telephone:_____________________ Email:______________________________________ This is a (select one):
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Kindred Sisters — February 2014
EDITORIAL POLICY ♥ We encourage all women to submit art, articles, poetry, announcements, etc. for publication. Any submission longer than 650 words may be printed in two or more parts. ♥ We print a variety of view points on topics of concern to our community members. Remember: KS is not responsible for any content or opinions printed unless it specifically states the article is by “Kindred Sisters.” All other opinions voiced or statements made are solely those of the author of the article. ♥ We are willing to withhold your name from publication upon request, but please include a contact name and/or telephone number. ♥ We print most things “as is.” It is the responsibility of the women submitting to get permission to use anyone’s name or event. We also reserve the right to edit or reject any submission. ♥ Anything submitted to KS for publication may be used on the website as well.
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Classifieds FOR RENT: Cozy house in NE Gainesville bicycle ride to downtown. Enjoy two bedrooms, two bath, office space, shed with electricity. Quite neighborhood, AC/heat, dishwasher, lovely yard surrounding house with native FL shrubs and flowers. Contact gaylebluebird@aol.com Rent: $850 FOR RENT: House to Share in Melrose. 3 bedroom, two bath, furnished house on one acre of fenced in Azalea covered yardl a short walk to Lake Sante Fe with access to small beach, dock, and fishing deck. House is well kept, has one adult woman and one small, very quiet, Shitzu female dog, and yard is maintained. House is split floor plan with bedroom and bath at each side of house. 3 separate entrances, three patios, and large pole barn for storage of some items if needed. Rent could be $850, possibly all inclusive to right person. Extras might be, utilities, TV, Internet, furniture, cleaning services, lawn care, etc. Would need to negotiate with person first. No additional pets, no smoking, and no heavy scents, please. Call Shewolf (Jean) for details or more information 904 521 5975 cell 10 am to 10 pm. House is located 15 minutes from east Gainesville on west side of Melrose; easy commute to Gainesville, Palatka, Waldo or Starke.
FREE Confidential HIV & STD Testing! On the 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month at 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the Pride Community Center 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville Page 20
Cyber Connections Florida Gay Campers
A bunch of fun men and women who like to camp and party. www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/floridagaycampers
Lesbians of the South
For networking, communication, & mutual support among lesbians of the southern states. www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/LesbiansoftheSouth
LEZgo Events
Produces and promotes events for lesbians throughout Florida. www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/LEZgoEvents
LGBT Ocala
A social group bringing together the LGBT community in Ocala, FL, Marion county and surrounding areas. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/LGBTOcala
North Central Florida Lesbians
Community networking exclusively for lesbians with ties in North Central Florida. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ NorthCentralFloridaLesbians
PCCNCF
This group is established to give Pride Community Center of North Central Florida a way to make announcements and notify the membership of upcoming events. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/pccncf
Kindred Sisters — February 2014
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Do You Want YOUR Art to Grace the Cover of the Hottest Lesbian/ Feminist Magazine in North Central Florida?! Yes? Then here’s your chance! Just scan or photograph your art (paintings, photos, sculptures, sketches, whatever!) and email the digital files to KindredSisters@gmail.com. Be sure to provide high resolution images. Please provide a brief bio or statement to accompany your image. ALL women welcome!
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Wimmin's Movie Night First Sunday of each month at 4:00pm! Feb 2: “Chutney Popcorn� When Reena learns that married sister Sarita can't have a baby, she decides to play surrogate mother, but Reena's girlfriend worries that three might be a crowd. Themes of love, family obligations and fertility swirl through the story as Sarita grapples with her failure to conceive, and Reena's mother remains in the dark about her daughter's same-sex relationship.
Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville. www.gainesvillepride.org