S EPTEMBER 2012
Kindred Sisters Giving Women a Voice $2.50
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Kindred Sisters “Giving Women a Voice” September 2012
2012 Presidential Debate Moderators Chosen For the first time in 20 years, a woman -- CNN's Candy Crowley -- will moderate a presidential debate. Multiple reports revealed the list of moderators for the three presidential forums and one vice presidential debate that will take place in October. The Commission on Presidential Debates has turned to old favorites Jim Lehrer and Bob Schieffer to host the first and third debates. Both hosted debates in 2008, and Lehrer has hosted a staggering 11 of them overall. It would appear that he has reneged on his pledge to retire from the job. Lehrer's debate takes place on Oct. 3 in Denver, CO. Schieffer's is happening on Oct. 22 in Boca Raton, FL. But more attention will be focused on the Commission's choice to moderate the second debate: Crowley. This year, a group of teenagers set off a chorus of voices demanding that a woman be chosen to host a debate. The last woman to do so, Carole Simpson, even launched a public campaign. Crowley will be on hand to moderate the town-hall debate in Hempstead, NY on Oct. 16. It will be her first time hosting a presidential forum. “As someone who is in awe and grateful every day to be in a country where freedom of the press, free speech and free elections are a way of life, I am wowed, amazed and excited by the opportunity to moderate a 2012 presidential debate,” Crowley said in a statement. “Congratulations are in order as well to Martha, Jim and Bob. I am so proud to be in their company.” ABC's Martha Raddatz was chosen to moderate the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan. That session will take place October 11 in Danville, KY. It's also Raddatz' first time doing so. excerpt from www.huffingtonpost.com
Cover: This month our cover displays the 2012 Gainesville Pride logo which was designed by Jennifer Wester of Gainesville, FL. The Gainesville Pride events will take place September 21st - 30th. Be sure to see page 2 for all the details of these great events. For more info about Jennifer, see her ad on the outside back cover.
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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GAINESVILLE PRIDE 2012 “Pride Without Borders” LGBT Film at the Hipp! Opens Sep 21 In honor of Pride, the Hippodrome Theatre presents “Mosquita y Mari”. Go to www.thehipp.org for details.
Sep 21, 6pm: Community Awards Dinner & Silent Auction Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find out who will be recognized as the 2012 Woman, Man, Community Person, & Business of the Year! Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave. Tickets: $45 (available at Pride Center & Wild Iris Books)
Sep 29, 1-9pm: Pride Festival The annual Festival, which is co-sponsored by the City of Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs, will have dozens of local musical acts and vendors lining the downtown Bo Diddley Community Plaza from 1 to 9pm. A “Kids Space” will also be available. The event is free and open to the public.
Sep 30: Pride Sunday The United Church of Gainesville, located at 1624 NW 5th Ave, will hold it's annual PRIDE Sunday Services at 9:30am and at 11am.
Sep 23: Trinity Pride Service
Sep 30, 6:30pm: Pride Garden Party
In honor of Pride, a service for the entire community at Trinity MCC, 11604 SW Archer Rd. Breakfast - 9:30am; Service - 10:15am.
Close out your Gainesville Pride Days at a Garden Party with lots of food and happy hour prices until 8:00pm! Spikes hosts this community event at 6:30-10pm, so come out and relax with your friends or make some new ones. Spikes, located at 4130 NW 6th St in Gainesville, offers a friendly staff, full bar, darts, pool tables, & a lovely courtyard just perfect for lounging after a busy Pride week. No cover charge; food is free. For more info, call 352-376-3772.
Sep 27, 7pm: Brief History of LGBT Florida A short visual history establishes the presence of gay men and women throughout the Sunshine State. Held at the Pride Center.
Sep 27, 7:30pm: Living History Living History is a semester-ly event offering stories of individuals within our community and the histories that we are currently living. Held at Wild Iris Books, 802 W University Ave.
www.gainesvillepride.org
Sep 29, 12pm: Pride Parade Preceding the Festival is the annual Pride Parade which steps off at noon at 7th Street and West University Avenue and proceeds down University Avenue to the downtown Bo Diddley Community Plaza. Page 2
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TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS Come be a part of Gainesville's Pride Parade 2012 which will kick off at 12pm on Saturday, September 29th! Classic Cars-Floats-Horses-Local Divas-Marchers-Animals! ALL are welcome and encouraged to participate! There is no entry fee. For more info please call 352-377-8915 or email parade@gainesvillepride.org.
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NOW Celebrates Major Milestone in Women's Access to Vital Health Care by Terry O'Neill, NOW President
Today marks an important milestone for women throughout the country. Beginning Aug. 1, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act goes into effect, making preventive care more accessible and affordable for 47 million women. From this point forward, women enrolled in new or renewed insurance plans will be able to access a wide range of preventive health services without co-pays or additional out-of-pocket costs. No longer will women be compelled to forego or delay needed preventive care due to economic hard times. The new package of health benefits for women includes access to contraceptive services. Contraception is a basic part of women's health care, and nearly all women use a form of birth control at some point in their lives. On average, a woman uses birth control for 30 years of her life at an average cost of $50 per month. As reported by the Guttmacher Institute, women who use contraceptives consistently and correctly account for only five percent of all unintended pregnancies each year. The bottom line is that contraception makes for healthier women, healthier mothers and healthier babies, and it reduces health care costs overall. These guidelines also require insurers to cover mammograms, pap tests and other critical preventive services. Breast and cervical cancer are leading causes of death among women, and early detection is key. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and when it is detected early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent. That's why it's so important that the Affordable Care Act gives women access to an annual health exam without any co-pays. Other preventive services include screening for gestational diabetes; domestic violence screening and counseling; breastfeeding support, supplies, and counseling; HPV testing; screening for sexually transmitted infections and counseling for sexually-active women; and HIV screening and counseling. And beginning in 2014, women can no longer be charged more than men for the same health plans and can no longer be denied coverage due to preexisting conditions. As we celebrate today, we know there is much work to do. Extremists in Congress are bent on repealing the Affordable Care Act, and Mitt Romney has pledged to do just that if he is elected president. NOW will work to defeat these politicians and to ensure that all the women of this country have access to affordable health care.
Pride 2012 T-Shirts Now On Sale!
$15.00
www.gainesvillepride.org
excerpt from www.now.org
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Kindred Sisters — September 2012
WHERE'S THE FOOD? by Nancy Breeze
Many people are unaware of an important fact. Of course, doctors and nurses know this already. But most others are not aware that many hospitals serve healthy, reasonably-priced meals for the staff, which the public can enjoy as well. In the mid-seventies I worked at a gynecological office across from Alachua General Hospital. On Saturdays, before an all-day clinic, co-workers and I often went out to breakfast, to make up for having to work on the weekend. But sometimes I was the only one of our group to start the day that way. One morning I decided to try the hospital cafeteria. I became an instant 'fan!' You may think, sure, it would be O. K. for bacon, eggs and biscuits, but as an actual restaurant substitute? However, sometimes I found myself there for lunch or dinner, and was never disappointed. I enjoyed great salads, broiled fish, even steamed vegetables and good coffee -- plus always a yummy desert! What's not to love? I admit my gravitation to hospital cafeterias has sometimes taken a strange turn. One December, a friend and I were visiting someone in a Jacksonville hospital. When the dinner tray arrived, the patient announced she wasn't hungry. So it wouldn't go to waste, my friend offered to eat some. I decided to look for the cafeteria in this unfamiliar hospital. Down on the first floor I followed the aromas and located the food! Knowing how these places worked, I joined the people in line and was served turkey, dressing, and green beans. At separate tables I picked up salad and dessert. Once I found the coffee and poured myself a cup, I went to look for a cashier. Not able to find one, I asked another diner, "Where do you pay?" She looked at me in amazement. Then she replied, "This is the EMPLOYEE CHRISTMAS PARTY!" Unable to think of anything else to say or do, I slunk to an empty table, ate the wonderful food, and got out of there! But that strange episode did not diminish my fondness for hospital cafeterias. Since then I have enjoyed them even when traveling. I guess not many would want to take dining advice from someone who has been known to avoid cooking. But I have found that in strange towns, hospital cafeterias are likely to provide better and more interesting food than unfamiliar restaurants.
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
Will YOU help make PRIDE a Success? In order for PRIDE Days 2012 to be successful, volunteers are needed to help plan and organize the events, as well as to help on the days of the events. If you are interested in helping out, send an email to pridectr@bellsouth.net. Volunteers are especially needed to set-up & clean-up before & after all of the events. Just a couple of hours of your time can make a huge difference!
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Poetry Corner i thought they were silken wrists, but they still wouldn’t appease me so i ended up sinking salt down these past seven yrs i have been: the drain instead of blood. watching women enter & leave my body i learned to rinse everything sometimes as quiet as the dying sometimes so full that touched me. of sound, i have only been able to sweat since you have returned & gone & the music of their impression not like beads, but returned again, more olivia has committed suicide, like diamonds. & i have tried to turn to the sea i have been for advice arguing with my parents & on drowning. writing poems that i find on the jayda is sixteen & angry, my mother doorstep of some sad mind has a mouth like an apology, my wanting to come in & relief me of this grief. father is retiring in november. amber i have been walking & slipping drugs was my first girlfriend & jessica under my tongue & going to maude’s with sugar my last in college. in between my teeth, begging for free black the first time i went to lake mirror was coffee because i gave my last dollar bill with jeremy in the 12th grade & i watched the to an old sick veteran who in another water fade against a left-handed life could have been my father city & half-honest conversation that wasn’t or my husband. going to mean anything in i got in the car w/ shena & anna when approximately 2 years & shena was driving & drinking a 40 after god 5 gunshot wounds told me (or i told god) i wouldn’t later. get to the sky that way, especially i hardly remember after tiffany carlisle, but i remember her that day. eyes. i met her indiscriminately that Friday April the 13th though shamika & she when jasmine died in that car accident fell in love with me by way but that was happiness’s mistake of telephone lines stung w/ that was the crash of laughing mouths & lack static, & promises of seatbelts to visit once and i found out in my junior year she got a better job than of high school in the midst getting verbally of filling out information pissed on at Sonic. she fell in love for a fucking permit. with my intelligence, some people fall in love i lit plenty of fires in my because they know they stomach trying won’t to swallow myself alive. understand it. 10 years ago, going along for the ride i adore strawberry black tea & i stole a diamond bracelet but never the backs of certain hands because they listen got the courage to slit the wrists to me that wore it. better than their owners do,
a warm war: for tianna
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sometimes. sometimes i don’t mind people & sometimes in the strangest of occasions, i am trying to find myself in the underbellies of their conversations. you should know that i am selfish & that i like eggs & fucking in the morning & that i wish i drank more beer & that i like certain belongings for the sole purpose of remembering that my ex girlfriends cherished them. you should know that camille used christianity as a way to find god in between my thighs but that i still feel like bodies should be celebrated & granted the permission to vacation inside other elbows & navels & that certain people should know when to let go. when to leave. i believe in that greatly. that certain people should know when to leave & that love is simply a measure of a body breaking under a rise & a tide, you should know that i cried when myeshia left me & i drank for 31 days straight, that when my father called me a dyke in his car that night, i had dreams of hitting him so hard in the face, my sadness would be the bruise instead of a pattern of insignificant wings trying to travel from cheek to weak eyelash, failing greatly because sometimes hands are too small & too frantic to land in the right place at the right time. instead, i created lines of poems with mine; Kindred Sisters — September 2012
i was meant to have haikus for fingers. i knew that if i lingered in war, i would taste it on my breath in the morning so you should also know that the only thing stopping me from handing my entire body over to a stranger is that your hands all over it, your fingers missing shock or doubt is the only thing this world has to brag about by Jazmine Davis
Art Opening! "8 Days in September" Melissa Mojica, formerly of Kickin Devil Cafe and Blue Desert Cafe, will have a showing of photos from her series: "8 Days in September" at the Downtown Starbucks from September 15th thru October 15th. Opening reception will be held Friday, September 21st. Come on down and meet some new friends over a yummy drink and/or pastry. FMI about details and time, contact Melissa at sevin1307@yahoo.com.
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Who Owns Food? by Woody Blue
The fight for control over our food supply rages fast and furious. The battle lines have been drawn in grocery stores, magazine advertising, the voting booth, the Supreme Court, farmers' markets, school lunchrooms, McDonald's, Congress, and just about any place where you pull up to a window and yell "What's for lunch?" Most of us live in a bubble. We are protected from the logistics of how our food is grown or raised. We are discouraged from asking disturbing questions to food suppliers. We are given pat answers or quotes from public relations departments when we raise our voice. We are handed a list of USDA guidelines, regulations, and mandates when we step out of line. The FDA busily issues conflicting information based on science we're not allowed to see or question.
growing groundswell of protest against putting GMO crops on the market, they are infused heavily in our grocery stores. Think twice before pouring out a bowl of Kellogg's GMO Corn Flakes. There is currently a battle on Kellogg's Facebook page from activists demanding that Kellogg's label their products that contain GMO's. In response, Kellogg's has spent over 600,000 dollars to fight California's Proposition 37, which would make it a law that all products containing GMO foods are labeled with a GMO label.
The activists in California are spending their time, energy and money educating people about GMO's and Monsanto's practices. In November the voters will decide whether they want labeling or not. If they vote for labeling, all food products containing GMO's would have to be labeled differently from the rest of the country. Most people don't want to buy GMO food, so most Monsanto has become public enemy #1. They companies would have the choice of changing have given new meaning to the legal expression, their product or changing their labeling. This would be a death knell for GMO foods and "crimes against nature." By developing hopefully, Monsanto. I urge you all to keep an genetically modified organisms, they are destroying our farms, water and food supply and eye on this California race. If it passes, Monsanto our fragile ecosystem. Irreversible contamination won't take this lying down. The brass knuckles means that none of us, animal, plant or human, will come out. is protected from this technology. To those who Labeling food products is one way that food would say there isn't enough science to say that activists are fighting to promote GMO foods are harmful, I will a healthy food supply to the say there is plenty of evidence American public. Currently, most and NO evidence that says foods found in supermarkets GMO foods don't interfere have been tainted or altered in with biological systems. some way to prolong shelf life or enhance a flavor. Even the Monsanto refuses to share produce is less nutritious when its research publicly and the grown by Big Ag. FDA has issued formal statements that GMO crops Tapping into the 'Buy Local' are the same as non-GMO movement has been invaluable crops. Case closed. Despite a Page 8
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for providing local markets for fresh, organic foods. Farmers' markets have proliferated throughout the country as well as here in Gainesville. There are almost 8000 farmers' markets registered with the USDA. At the market, questions about farming practices can be asked directly to the farmer or rancher. Not all farmers are certified organic and that may be due to the costs involved in becoming certified.
various needs. Grow Gainesville has created a networking webpage to make it easier for all of us to find them. They are mostly non-profits and rely heavily on volunteers to keep the effort strong and growing. Their main interest is putting the knowledge, skills, materials and assistance into the hands of local, everyday people. No one has to have prior knowledge of gardening to become a farmer.
A seed library is also now available to provide seeds that will grow in Gainesville climates. For $20/year, Grow Gainesville will provide as many seeds as you want on an annual basis. These are Besides farmer's markets, community a variety of seeds, non-GMO, and easily gardens are sprouting up everywhere. A community garden works for those who wish to available. grow their own food but don't have the space or There is an urban farm that has been planted equipment. Sometimes a small fee is charged to in Porters Community, in the vicinity of the St. belong to a community garden, like $15/6 Francis House. It is hoped to yield 1 ton of food months and that covers the cost of the water facilities and other minor expenses. Community per year to provide meals to the homeless. Google Porters Community Farm to view and gardens foster a sense of pride in the neighborhood, beautify the landscape, and bring donate to their fundraising efforts. the farming experience to city children, Controlling our food supply is vital to keeping connecting them to the source of their food. us healthy. I urge all of us to join efforts to keep our food sources For those Gainesville secure and nutritious. city dwellers who would like to start a small garden Woody Blue is a holistic health outside their home, there are organizations that will help build raised bed counselor specializing in massage garden areas or set up composting areas to feed and nutrition. You can contact her at 352-375-0539 for more info. the soil. Florida Organic Growers (FOG) has to date provided 257 GIFT Gardens free of charge to low income families, including 17 schools, 7 churches and 17 community centers. Besides building the beds, they offer free seeds and starter plants and ongoing assistance. The permaculture movement has also gained ground here in Gainesville. Groups such as the Edible Plant Project, Abundant Edible Landscapes, Porters Community Gardens and UF and Santa Fe, Slow Food and others have built coalitions to form a gardening network to meet Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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How To Survive a Lesbian Break-Up by Kathy Belge
Whether you have left your partner, or she has left you, surviving a lesbian break-up is hard. Sometimes it may feel like you may never recover from the break-up. But you will. These tips might make recovering from a break-up easier.
off you are without her. There's plenty of time to be reasonable in the future. Right now you need to vent.
4. Mourn, but don't wallow. Feeling sad is normal. Yes, Difficulty: Hard it's okay to cry, scream and Time Required: Can Take a Year or More feel pity for yourself. But don't allow the situation to turn you into a Here's How: bitter human being. Give yourself up to a year 1. Recognize what has happened. to grieve. If after that time you're still welling The first thing you might be feeling is, "I can't up with tears at the thought of her, it's time to believe this is happening!" Shock and denial see a therapist. Something else is probably are normal in the early stages of recovery from going on to cause your sadness. a break-up. You keep thinking you'll wake up 5. Get Closure. from the bad dream or that your lover will Say the things to her that you need to and return. This is the first step in the grieving leave it at that. If she won't see you face to process. Once you begin to believe that it's face, send her a letter. Beware of e-mail, really over, you're ready to move on to the where you can write something regrettable and next step of healing from a break-up. impulsively hit send. If you choose to 2. Next you might feel anger toward your communicate by e-mail, be sure to wait 24 partner. hours before sending off your letter. Good, this is the second step of grieving. At this time, it is a good idea to 6. No Rebounds. get away from your partner. It sure can be tempting to enter into a new relationship to help you forget the old one. But If you live together, move if you don't give yourself time to heal and out or go stay with some reflect on what happened with the last one, friends. Too many lesbian you're bound to repeat the couples continue to live same patterns. together after they break up. If you can't afford to 7. Let it all out. move out, go stay with a friend for a while. You Get your feelings out in need to separate to get a clear head. Don't healthy ways. Write them drive by her house or ask friends about her down, make a painting, write a new girlfriend, you'll only torture yourself. fantastic break-up song, listen to great break-up songs, go 3. Get support. for a run. Let it out in what ever way feels best Call on your friends. Your friends, not your mutual friends. At this time you need someone to you. Avoid turning to drugs or alcohol. They who is going to take your side. You don't need will only make the situation worse. a reasonable voice at this time. You need a 8. Look at yourself. friend who will nod in agreement at every What went wrong with the relationship to cause horrible thing your ex has done. She'll tell you it to end? Every relationship is a two-person how wonderful you are and how much better
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dynamic. Try to identify what part she played and what part you played. If you take ownership of your role, you'll be less likely to repeat the same mistakes in your next relationship. Beware playing the blame game. Getting angry at yourself for your mistakes will not help. You just want to recognize what you did so the next time you're aware of your dynamic. 9. "That which does not destroy us will make us stronger." Remember this. This is a hard time and you WILL get through it. Look at this as an opportunity for growth and to test your strength as a human being. When it feels like too much, be sure to call on those support systems.
Superfruits You Need Now! You've heard of Superfoods, but…Superfruits? Not every fruit qualifies. Those deemed "super" by nutrition scientists are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and other nutrients that can help you live longer, look better, and even prevent disease. Best of all, most are widely available, even at your local grocery store, promises Keri Glassman, R.D., founder of NutritiousLifeMeals.com and author of Slim Calm Sexy Diet. One caveat: Superfruits are best consumed whole, not processed. So if possible, try to buy and eat these fruits fresh. Experts estimate that you should be eating five to nine portions of fruit or vegetables a day, and most of them should be Superfruits. Açaí Berries Apples Bananas Blackberries Blueberries Cantaloupe Cherries Citrus fruits Cranberries
10. "Let go and let God." You can't control what another person does, but you can control how you react. Pray, meditate, read inspirational stories, whatever will get you through. Remember others have been through this and came out on the other side and you will too. Breathe in and out. It will get better. excerpt from www.lesbianlife.about.com
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Dragon Fruit Grapes Grapefruit Kiwi Oranges Plums Pomegranate Strawberries Avocados
Tomatoes Papayas Raspberries Pumpkin & Pumpkin Seeds Watermelon Pineapple
Chili-Dusted Grilled Mango and Pineapple 1 small pineapple 1 mango 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder cooking spray 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice Peel and cut 1 small pineapple and 1 mango into sticks; sprinkle both sides evenly with 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder. Lightly coat grill rack with cooking spray; grill fruit until grill marks form (about 1-2 minutes per side). Drizzle with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice; serve. excerpt from www.health.com
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VAWA and the LGBT Community by Robbin Cochran, Gainesville Area National Organization for Women
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), originally passed in 1994 and then reauthorized in 2000 and again in 2005, is a federal law designed to provide protection and services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The legislators who originally drafted and passed VAWA were acting in good faith, and the bill is generally considered to be a success. However, in the eighteen years VAWA has been in effect, experts in the field of victims’ services and the legal arena, including cops and courts, have identified some serious shortcomings in the law. The needs of some minority victims are not being met; particularly those in the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community, the immigrant community, and the Native American community. This article focuses on the LGBT survivors of domestic violence, and the ways VAWA needs to be updated to ensure these citizens are equally protected. VAWA is due to be reauthorized again this year, and a new, inclusive version of the bill, S. 1925, was introduced and passed in the Senate. Unfortunately, the bill the House of Representatives passed, H.R. 4970, was not updated to meet the needs of today’s society and its LGBT members. The push to get the Senate’s version (known to many in the feminist community as “the ‘real’ VAWA”) passed by the House and signed into law is a necessary effort required to give LGBT survivors equal protection under the law. The House version of the bill lacks LGBT-inclusive language, which leads to lack of services for some victims because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. This is unacceptable. The bill that the Senate passed would designate funding Page 12
specifically for the LGBT community, as well as prohibit discrimination by police and domestic violence shelters. Also included in the Senate’s bill is an allowance for states to use federal funding for LGBT needs under the purview of VAWA; currently, only 24 states use federal money for this purpose. In addition, LGBT would be defined as part of the “underserved population,” allowing access to a grant that sets aside funding for this demographic. The LGBT community experiences domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking at the same rate as the straight community. A woman should be treated equally under VAWA’s legislation regardless of her sexual orientation, or that of her abuser. Furthermore, despite the fact that VAWA’s very name is female-oriented, under the law, men are actually eligible for services as well. This means that gay, bisexual, and transgender men have the right to the same protection as any heterosexual female (or male) survivor. Some detractors of the “real” VAWA seem to think including LGBT language in the bill would be an expansion of the legislation. This is simply not true. Any and all victims of any or all of the crimes outlined in VAWA are eligible for services; the problem is that there are not any programs mandated specifically for LGBT survivors. This has proven to be a significant obstacle. Only 7% of victims in the LGBT community report domestic violence to the police. According to a 2010 survey, almost 55% of LGBT victims who applied for protection orders were denied, and 45% seeking help were disallowed access to domestic violence shelters. That same year, a study conducted to determine whether LGBT needs were being met by Kindred Sisters — September 2012
service providers concluded that a lack of training was contributing to inadequate help. Many providers are just not attuned to the special needs of this sector of society. In fact, overall, only one in five LGBT victims receive assistance. As a result of all these shortcomings in the way VAWA is applied to LGBT citizens, reporting and prosecution rates are low for these survivors. In 2012, there is no reason why anyone should be discriminated against for sexual orientation, perceived gender, or gender identity. It is particularly disheartening that victims of dehumanizing crimes like domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking are being denied services they desperately need because they are LGBT. Whether you are female or male; homosexual or heterosexual; bisexual or transgender, it is imperative to stand up for the rights of the underserved and ensure equality for all citizens of these great United States. VAWA must be reauthorized in a way that will do just that.
2012 Pride Community Awards Dinner Friday, September 21st 6:00pm - Social Mixer & Silent Auction 7:00pm - Dinner & Keynote Speaker The 13th Annual Community Awards Dinner will officially kick off the 2012 Gainesville Pride Days festivities at Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Avenue. The Social Mixer begins at 6:00pm, during which time you can participate in the Silent Auction. The buffet-style Dinner starts at 7:00pm. Tickets are $45 per person and may be purchased at the Pride Community Center, at Wild Iris Books, or at www.gainesvillepride.org. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to find out who will be recognized as the 2012 Woman, Man, Community Person, and Business of the Year!
In the Spotlight Kate Brown Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is the highest ranking openly bisexual elected politician in the United States. Kate Brown has sponsored several gay rights bills in her terms in the Oregon legislation, including Oregon's domestic partnership and civil rights ordinances. excerpt from www.lesbianlife.about.com
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WhatÊs Happening? Sep 1, 7am-3pm: Community Garage Sale An air-conditioned Community Garage Sale at the Sacred Earth Center, 3131 NW 13th St #41, Gainesville. 352-275-8537 Sep 2, 9am: Derby Car Wash! Support Women’s Roller Derby & have your vehicle cleaned by the Gainesville Roller Rebels! Sonic Drive-In, 2162 NW 39th Ave, Gainesville. Sep 2, 5pm: Women’s Dinner & Movie Relax with the gals, enjoy a nice dinner, & catch a movie -- all for just $5! Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening?! See full details on outside back cover. Sep 2, 5-10pm: Labor Daze Fest Need some FREE fun? Feel like you're in a labor daze? Well you're not alone! FREE FOOD at 5! FREE climbing wall! FREE massage! FREE services for working people! Over 30 local joints contributed to our dollar raffle & there's even a cash prize! Live local music! There will be local food, merch, art, activism, politics, & speakers as well as activities for the kids at Bo Diddley Community Plaza, 111 E University Ave, Gainesville. Sep 4-9: Womenfest Don’t miss Womenfest in Key West! www.womenfest.com
Sep 8, 8pm: Women’s Roller Derby Swamp City Sirens vs. Richland County Regulators! Doors open 7:30pm at Skate Station, 1311 NW 76th Blvd. Tickets: $8/adv; $12/door (available at Skate Station & www.BrownPaperTickets.com). www.gainesvillerollerrebels.com Sep 9, 9-6pm: Reflexology & Essential Oils Deepen your understanding of aromatherapy through a fun and informative one-day journey into the realm of pure essential oils. Instructor: Karen Ball. Cost: $121 (included are a manual & all materials necessary to custom-blend the products you will take home). Held at the Florida School of Massage, 6421 SW 13th St, Gainesville. Details & registration: http://bit.ly/K2W0Wj Sep 9, 12-5pm: Gator Pets Photo Day Get your pet's Gator Fan photo taken and support a great cause! Glamor Pets, a professional photography group, is coming to Gainesville to celebrate your four-legged Gator fan! Gatorthemed backgrounds, outfits and props provided free. Just bring your pet for a photo shoot and choose your favorite shots. Earth Pets, 404 NW 10th Ave, Gainesville. Spots will fill up fast so reserve your Gator Pet photo shoot early! To benefit the St. Francis House Pet Care Clinic, a local nonprofit providing professional veterinary care and consultation to the pets of homeless, veterans and low income residents of Alachua County.
Sep 7, 6-9pm: Year of the Bat Celebration The Year of the Bat is happening now! Join the Florida Museum of Natural History and the Lubee Bat Conservancy for an evening dedicated to bats. Begin at the Museum for bat displays and interactive activities and finish by watching these amazing creatures leave the UF Bat House on Museum Road for their evening adventures. For more information call 352-273-2064. www.flmnh.ufl.edu
Sep 10, 7pm: “Outrage” Stonewall Democrats of Alachua County and the Civic Media Center present “Outrage”. Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick delivers a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians who actively campaign against the LGBT community they covertly belong to (outragethemovie.com). $3-5 suggested donation. CMC, 433 S Main St, Gainesville. 352-373-0010
Sep 8, 9-4pm: Organic Gardening Workshop Registration required. Crones’ Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217th Pl, Citra, FL. 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com
Sep 10: Moonhaven Mystery School for Women (tentative date) The class will meet for 4 consecutive Mon evenings 7-9:30pm at Moonhaven in Melrose. $62 for 4
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Kindred Sisters — September 2012
WhatÊs Happening? sessions. Join a wonderful group of women to learn & develop your psychic & healing abilities in an empowered & safe space. www.flashsilvermoon.com
40% of art sales benefits Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. Reception is free. The outside Gardens will not be open at this time. Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville. www.kanapaha.org
Sep 14-16, 10-5pm: Paint Out at Kanapaha Local landscape artists will gather to create live paintings. The 3 day event is part of the Worldwide Artist Paint Out. Come join us! Witness the mysterious creative process as you stroll through the gardens from artist to artist. They will marvel you with their sleight of hand as they magically create masterpieces before your very eyes! Regular admission prices. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr, Gainesville. www.kanapaha.org
Sep 21, 6pm: Gainesville Pride Awards Dinner Enjoy a great dinner at Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave! Silent Auction! Find out who will be recognized as the 2012 Woman, Man, Community Person, & Business of the Year! Tickets: $45 (available at the Pride Center or at Wild Iris, 802 W University Ave). www.gainesvillepride.org
Sep 15, 9-5pm: Lake City Pride Fest Lake City Pride is coming back! This time it will bigger and better! We will have vendors, food, and entertainment lined up as well as the 2nd Annual Lake City Pride Pageant hosted by India Brooks! We hope to see you all there! (Lake City Down Town) www.lakecitypride.tripod.com Sep 15, 12-9pm: Downtown Latino Festival The Chamber of Hispanic Affairs in Gainesville invites you to a family friendly celebration which attracts vendors and community members from all over north Florida. Held at Bo Diddley Plaza. Sep 16, 1-4pm: Gainesville Duck Derby The Gainesville Duck Derby 2012 is a fun, familyfriendly event guaranteed to be a quackin' good time. Featuring vendors, food, a 1-mile Ducky Dash, and of course a rubber duck race, there is sure to be entertainment for all! All proceeds will go to support Children's Home Society of Florida and the Child Advocacy Center. Westside Park, 1001 NW 34th St. Sep 21, 5-8pm: Art Opening at Kanapaha Be the first to purchase a favorite painting at the reception and exhibition in the Summer House Gallery. The show, Worldwide Paint Out @ Kanapaha Botanical Gardens will hang in the Summer House Gallery through the end of 2012. Kindred Sisters — September 2012
Sep 22: Autumnal Equinox, Mabon Sep 22, 9-4pm: Food Preservation Workshop Registration required. Crones’ Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217th Pl, Citra, FL. 352-595-3377, www.cronescradleconserve.com Sep 23: Celebrate Bisexuality Day This day is a call for bisexual, pansexual, friends and supporters to recognize and celebrate bisexuality, bisexual history, bisexual community and culture, and the bi/pansexual people in their lives. Sep 23: Trinity Pride Service In honor of Pride, a service for the entire community at Trinity MCC, 11604 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville. Breakfast - 9:30am; Service - 10:15am. Sep 27, 7pm: Brief History of LGBT Florida A short visual history establishes the presence of gay men and women throughout the Sunshine State. Held at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville, as part of Pride Days 2012. www.gainesvillepride.org Sep 27, 7:30pm: Living History Living History is a semester-ly event offering stories of individuals within our community and the histories that we are currently living. Held at Wild Iris Books, 802 W University Ave, Gainesville.
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WhatÊs Happening? Sep 29, 9-4pm: Alachua County Food Network Community Forum There is an energy in our community that is getting stronger to Think Local, Act Local, Grow Local, Buy Local. But, not every involved group or individual knows about each other or about the wonderful work that so many of us are doing in our community. The time is now right for all of us to come together and form a community-wide network where we can meet each other to share and grow together. We will have a Community Forum to formally get the network established in the Community Center at St. Patrick's Church, 500 NE 16th Ave, Gainesville. Sep 29, Noon: Gainesville Pride Parade The Parade begins at 7th St. and W University Ave; then proceeds down University Ave to the downtown Community Plaza. www.gainesvillepride.org
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.citizensco-op.com Confidential HIV & STD Testing - FREE 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month at 5-7pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville.
Sep 29, 1-9pm: Gainesville Pride Festival Dozens of local musical acts & vendors will fill the downtown Bo Diddley Plaza! Join us to shop, hear great tunes, & celebrate your Pride!! www.gainesvillepride.org
Farm Stead Saturday Saturdays, 9am-3pm, at Crones’ Cradle Conserve, 6411 NE 217th Pl in Citra, FL. Farm Tours & Organic Produce! 352-595-3377
Sep 29-30, 10-5pm: Thornebrook Art Festival A 2 day festival of juried fine arts and fine crafts under the covered walkways and on the grassy areas and plaza of Thornebrook Village, 2441 NW 43 St, Gainesville. www.thornebrookart.org
Feminist Open Mic Meets the last Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm. A safe space where individuals can celebrate, challenge and express their artistic personas! All poets, musicians, etc. invited to attend. Wild Iris, 802 W University Ave, Gainesville.
Sep 30: Pride Sunday The United Church of Gainesville, located at 1624 NW 5th Ave, will hold its annual PRIDE Sunday Services at 9:30am and at 11am. Sep 30, 6:30-10pm: Pride Garden Party Food, full bar, darts, pool tables, & a lovely courtyard just perfect for lounging after a busy Pride week. Happy Hour prices until 8pm! No cover charge; food is free. Spikes, 4130 NW 6th St, Gainesville.
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Gainesville Area NOW Meetings Gainesville Area National Organization for Women meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. Public Welcome. www.gainesvillenow.org 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 at the Sweetwater Branch Inn. 352-215-1621, www.gawn.org Kindred Sisters — September 2012
WhatÊs Happening? 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
“Sister Song” - Gainesville 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 or gainesvillecommunitychoir@gmail.com.
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.
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.
"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
Transgender Gainesville Discussion Group Meets on 1st Wednesday each month at 7pm at Wild Iris Books, 802 W University Ave, & focuses on education for the public. Meetings on 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at 7pm are closed support meetings held at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St.
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.
Transgender Movie Night Meets 2nd Friday of each month at 7pm at the Pride Center, 3131 NW 13th St. www.gainesvillepride.org
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 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.
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
Queerotic Dance Nite! 3rd Wednesday each month at 10pm at The Backyard at Boca Fiesta & Palomino, 232 SE 1st St, Gainesville. $3 cover Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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
Don’t forget to inform us of your up-coming events!! Just email KindredSisters@gmail.com.
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Home Van Pet Care Project News by Elizabeth Howard, Coordinator
Our mission is to provide pet food for the pets of the homeless and low income persons in our community. Thanks are in order to all who donate pet food for our Project and to all who give financial donations. We are very grateful for the good wishes and volunteer help that we receive from quite a nice number of people. Thank you very much for your help. We also receive help from our homeless and low income clients. They pick up pet food from us for their pets and many of them are part of the St. Francis Veterinary Clinic program. Many people will report strays and let us know about “pups in the woods,” some of these reported in this newsletter. We always need more pet food for both cats and dogs. We have weekly pet food distribution times as well as visits to campsites and other areas. Our average distribution is 100# of cat food and 100# of dog food each week. Please call to see what is needed and for our drop off and pick up arrangements. (Call Elizabeth at 352-473-9423). We need volunteers to help distribute pet food weekly downtown as well as to seek donations of pet food and funds. REPORTS FROM THE FIELD: There is someone who helps us and many other animal care groups. She has worked long and hard and deserves our thanks as well as the trust of our homeless friends who let her know about “pups in the woods.” Here are a couple of reports. “…on Monday, I helped pull a mother dog from (camp area). She recently had a litter of pups who, I believe, are scattered amongst the others living in tents in the same area … (person we know) has 2 of them. She has promised to bring them in … I'm working on locating the other pups. Officer Freddie of ACAS thinks he found one of them Tuesday. The dog's owner ….. is in jail, under bond …”
dog and all of the pups that could be located were taken in by Rescue Groups, who by the way, together with Alachua County Animal Services, helped make this possible. Another day, a sweet female dog was held for us by a friend at his campsite. He has two dogs and agreed that he couldn’t care for this one. She had advanced heartworms and was euthanized at Alachua County Animal Services. It is vital that we support spay/neuter and recommend it to all our friends, so that there are no more pups born in the woods to moms who were born under someone’s steps or out in the back yard, and no more feral cat colonies populated by cats who were abandoned by irresponsible people. We can foster for our local rescue groups when possible and adopt from them and from Alachua County Services whenever we can. All the work of Home Van Pet Care Project is carried out by volunteers and all pet food and supplies come to us by donation. THE TENT CITY CAT TRIBE: They remain in Tent City as we have not been able to relocate them as we could like. A portion of our cat food donations go to them. The favorite there we can tell you is Friskies Seafood Sensation! These kitties are fed every day by volunteers. We always need more helpers here to feed and watch over the Tribe. Several of our clients feed cats at campsites and whenever we get a call to spay or neuter we assist with access to clinics. Let us know if you can help. We always need more bags of dry food for both cats and dogs. Call Elizabeth Howard, 352-473-9423 or holisticliz@hotmail.com to determine current needs and for drop off or pick up information. Financial donations are also welcome and can be mailed c/o Elizabeth Howard, Home Van Pet Care Project, Inc., P.O. Box 14305, Gainesville Fl 32604 or through PayPal on our blog, http://homevanpetcareproject.blogspot.com.
This incident had a happy outcome. The mother Page 18
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
Porters Community Farm Needs Your Support! You may have heard of this new dream growing called Porters Community Farm…. It’s a project created by Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG), a non-profit that’s been advocating since the eighties. In their words…
The main component of the Porters Community Farm will be ten 55’ rows that will be intensively grown to supply fresh organic vegetables to the St. Francis House for the Homeless, which is only a few blocks away. In addition to providing shelter to the homeless in our community, St. Francis House also operates a soup kitchen that supplies lunch to 200 individuals every day. With your support, the annual harvest from the Porters Community Farm would be able to provide 1 TON of organic vegetables to help feed those individuals. To make Porters Community farm a reality we need your help. We hope to raise $12,000 to establish the farm and manage it for one year. Our budget includes a drip irrigation system, the cost of water, fertilizer, tools, seeds and seedlings, and the part-time salary for one staff member to manage the farm and organize volunteers. Your support can help give Porters Community Farm the initial momentum which will be crucial for their survival. Supporting them supports this creative, sustainable, kind and beautiful community we are all lucky to be a part of.
YOU’RE INVITED What: PCCNCF’s Anniversary Party! 10 years in North Central Florida, 5 years in our awesome building on 13th Street Where: Your Pride Community Center , 3131 NW 13th St, Ste 62, Gainesville When: Friday, Oct 19, 7-9 pm Why: Because it’s a milestone for the LBGT community to celebrate and honor Who: All friends, family, members and supporters of our LGBT community Free Admission Refreshments & More!!
www.indiegogo.com/ PortersCommunityFarm?c=home excerpt from www.blog.wildirisbooks.com
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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Female Action Heroes We'd Like To Cast In The Woman Version Of 'The Expendables' "The Expendables" and "The Expendables 2" may be the most testosterone-infused flicks of all time -- or at least recent memory. The cast of both movies includes Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis. But according to Variety, the bro-heavy action movies are inspiring a "riff" on the franchise -- this time featuring female action heroes. Hollywood is finally realizing the box office numbers -- and dollars -- that a woman-driven action film can earn. We'll call this "The Hunger Games Effect." Variety reported that production company 1984 Private Defense Contractors, which previously produced "The Grey" and "Killing Them Softly," will put the movie together. They've also already hired a writer and are apparently "in talks with several prominent actresses affiliated with the action genre." Since "The Expendables" cast is basically a "best of" list of male action stars, we'd hope that the female version would be the same. But how to choose? Here are eight badass women we'd love to see blowing things up, dominating hand-to-hand combat and generally kicking a**.
1. Michelle Yeoh Action claim to fame: She was a gravity-defying female warrior in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."
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2. Sarah Michelle Gellar Action claim to fame: The woman was "Buffy." Done.
3. Sigourney Weaver Action claim to fame: Although Sigourney is an allaround badass, one of her most famous roles is also one that changed the standard for female action heroes -Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" trilogy. She's even been dubbed "the best female character in Sci-Fi film." Sigourney would bring some serious experience to the new film.
4. Pam Grier Action claim to fame: She played the title character in "Foxy Brown." Pam Grier was battling villains with a take-noprisoners attitude back in the '70s. Kindred Sisters — September 2012
7. Jennifer Lawrence
5. CarrieCarrie-Ann Moss Action claim to fame: Neo never could have saved the world in "The Matrix" without Trinity.
6. Michelle Rodriguez Action claim to fame: She matched Vin Diesel's driving skills in "The Fast and the Furious," and as AnnaLucia Cortez in "Lost," Rodriguez proved that she can definitely wield a gun.
Action claim to fame: Lawrence honed her survival skills in "The Hunger Games." Plus, every action crew needs some young blood.
8. Noomi Rapace Action claim to fame: Rapace not only originated the on-screen version of Lisbeth Salander but more recently battled aliens in "Prometheus."
excerpt from www.huffingtonpost.com
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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Kathleen DeBold Named Lambda Literary Awards Administrator Long-time activist Kathleen DeBold has been named LLF's Lambda Literary Awards Administrator and will oversee the Lammy Awards book submissions and judging process. DeBold has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience including service as executive director of Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization, interim executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and deputy director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. A lifelong lover of LGBT history and literature, DeBold has had a long association with the Lambda Literary Foundation beginning in the early 1990's as a book reviewer, cartoonist and crossword puzzle creator for the Lambda Literary Review (formerly Lambda Book Report). In addition to being a long-time judge for the Lambda Literary Awards she has helped with logistics, fundraising and publicity for Lammy Award ceremonies in Los Angeles and Washington, DC. She is the editor of Out For Office: Campaigning in the Gay Nineties (GLVF Press) and author of WordGaymes (Alyson Publications). Her writing and cartoons have been featured in books and periodicals throughout the country. An articulate advocate for the LGBT community, DeBold has been a featured speaker/trainer at hundreds of events, workshops, and seminars, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government (Harvard University), Physicians for the Underserved, Feminist Expo, Bridgebuilder's Conference, American Cancer Society Diversity Conference, Susan G. Komen Foundation Mission Conference, Women's Information Network, National Lesbian Health Conference, OutVote, and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association Summit. DeBold's commitment to LGBT rights and social justice has earned her numerous awards, including Women's eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century Award, An Uncommon Legacy Foundation's Uncommon Woman Award, Gertrude Stein Democratic Club Justice Award, Capital Pride's Pride Hero Award, DC's Black Lesbian Support Group's Honorary Colored Girl Award, DC LGBT Center Distinguished Service Award, WOMO's Community Service Award, Pride at Work's Vanguard Award and "The Best of DC" Most Committed Female Activist and Local Hero designations from the Washington Blade. "Kathleen's experience, love of LGBT literature, and engaging personality make her an ideal Lambda Awards Administrator," said LLF's Board President, Dr. Judith Markowitz. "We look forward to working with her on the 25th Annual Lambda Literary Awards." The Lambda Literary Foundation nurtures, celebrates, and preserves LGBT literature through programs that honor excellence, promote visibility and encourage development of emerging writers. LLF's programs include: the Lambda Literary Awards, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBT Voices, LGBT Writers in Schools, and our web magazine, The Lambda Literary Review, at www.LambdaLiterary.org. For more information call (323) 366-2104 or e-mail admin@lambdaliterary.org. excerpt from www.lambdaliterary.org Page 22
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
Testosterone Testing I heard something that has me boiling...a guy at an anonymous meeting, who is a school bus driver, bragging about bullying kids with his camera turned off. Mostly verbal abuse. Like who the hell do you think you are? But I had to leave the room, go outside and get my head together. Bullies! Men! I am sick of them. And where are women? My grandkids don’t have a clue as to what ERA was, or needed. Equal rights? What does that mean? So meanwhile I am Olympics happy, watching adorable kids, and strong women, winning, winning, winning. 29 medals of our total. Lots of beautiful blacks running and winning, one the wife of a Jaguar player. There is more equality opportunity and it is broadcast everywhere. Most of the rest of the whole world is in trouble and conflict, obviously NOT ruled by women. That beautiful new head of Burma is a peace seeker, for a start. Most of our energy is attuned to stupid stuff, and I just do not want to attend to their parties, ya know? I am disappointed in political parties period. I think Obama had good intentions, but he has not been able to do diddley squat. We the People, now amended to read We the Women, hereby re-write our story, our Bill of Damn Rights... Maybe we will include the guys, but first we will check their testosterone levels....and we have a zero tolerance for bullies in MY NEW WORLD. by Rainbow Williams
Service Directory Jenn Wester ~ Pet/House Sitter (references available) ~ jennwester@hotmail.com Kickin’ Devil Café ~ LOO Restaurant/Bar ~ 352-505-6660 Beckie Dale ~ Massage ~ 352-335-3138 Woody Blue ~ Custom Flags & Tablecloths, Massage, Nutrition Info ~ 352-375-0539 Peggy Damiano ~ Website Design/Maintenance ~ www.attleborowebdesign.biz Elizabeth Howard, M.A. ~ Dream Interpretation ~ 352-337-2723 Melissa Mojica ~ Hauling, Photography ~ 352-359-4119 Lylly Rodriguez ~ Reflexology, Massage, & Reiki ~ 352-870-7922 Chrissy Martinez ~ Photography ~ masterphotography@gmail.com Beth Karbe ~ Acupuncture ~ 352-375-3080 Maria Chah ~ Massage & Yoga ~ 404-667-7599 Shewolf ~ Custom Woodworking, Speech Consulting, & Publishing: Directory of Wimminlands/Lesbian Communities ~ 352-475-3722 If you have a skill/service & would like to be added to our directory, please contact Kindred Sisters at KindredSisters@gmail.com. (Free!)
Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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AstroFlash September begins by coming out from under the shadow of the Full Moon in Pisces on August 31. I have a feeling that many of us will be wetter than we might imagine if the Neptunian waters align with the rising tides of the Blue Moon. Early September offers several trines, an aspect which creates flow, with planets in water signs like the Moon, Neptune and Chiron in Pisces trining Mars in Scorpio so I can imagine that we will see some positive and not only harsh results from the deluge that is likely to come. No way around it folks, with Uranus and Pluto still squaring each other, and this is a time when they are tightly but not exactly aspected we are in a state of REVOLUTION /EVOLUTION ON ALL LEVELS no matter how you look at it! The powerful energies of this transit, that should sound like an old friend at this point, are by their very nature creating the upheavals on our planet from political to personal. With action oriented Uranus in Aries, I have no doubt that we will enjoy a huge influx of discoveries. September 7 Venus enters the sunny sign of Leo which helps even more to get more deeply into our heart space. When we do this all things can run smoother. This is our strongest protection. On September 15th we will have a New Moon in Virgo, the Virgin, which back in the Matriarchal Day meant a woman who was whole unto herself not an un-penetrated woman! Given the fact that within days of this lunation several potent shifts will occur, we may well see the Rising of the Women 'cause a change is gonna come. We have been infuriated and degraded exceptionally of late and with Virgo's propensity to make things right, this may just be the ticket. On September 17th Pluto ends its retrograde cycle and slowly moves to make another exact square with Uranus on the 19th. Squares can bring conflict and they always demand that some change be made. Mercury, Virgo's ruler, jumps into the fire with these two on the 20th making an exact t-square. This will indeed be a turning point, another major shift in consciousness as well as outer world events. I remember that we had that very important Sun/Venus conjunction a few months ago which is probably empowering women a lot. I look to the Asteroids Vesta and Ceres which are squaring the New Moon energies as well as Pallas which is conjoining Uranus and Juno which is up close and personal with the North Node. These Goddess Asteroids are creating a web of Female energy around the whole wheel reminding us that Mama knows best and to most importantly stay connected to our hearts as the seat of wisdom and clarity. No matter what else we do it is imperative to keep our vibrations high and not let any low life bust our vibe or steal our integrity. We may not always have a choice about what happens but we always have a choice about how we react. September 22 brings us to the Fall Equinox, the time of equal day and night as we turn the Wheel once more with our eternal quest for balance. We at Moonhaven in Melrose will have a Women's Circle and Celebration to honor this time of Harvest. See below for details. This could well be a most potent night with the Moon conjoining Pluto. Again, remember stay in your heart and don't let your emotions take you for a ride you may not like. The day of this month that really does concern me is September Page 24
29th, The Full Moon in Aries, also known as the Blood Moon by ancients for good reason. As I speak of this moon, I must honor the late Marion Weinstein who through her radio show "Marion's Cauldron" on WBAI in NYC enlightened me about the intensity of the Blood Moon. This moon all by itself can bring out the most violence of any Full Moon and the data has been proven by police reports and hospital records. It is a really good time not to be anywhere dangerous particularly with crowds. Unfortunately this night becomes more complicated by the fact that Uranus is conjoining this Moon with Pluto of course making a square to both of them. This can be a time of intense passion and vitality where you want to go out and do something but please choose wisely and be safe. You will also want to be very watchful of your animals as this can be an extremely rough night for them too. Blessings Flash Silvermoon ARIES - Wow looks like I am going to be pretty busy this month raising all kinds of un-shirted hell. I have never met an adventure I didn't like but just maybe some of my hard won wisdom can prevail here and I will look before I leap. I know the energies will feel quite provocative and I will want to run headlong like the ram that I am into the fray but since this is a time of revolution and evolution I may just try to give peace a chance and show my maturity and elevation by letting go and not taking the bait. The high road here I come. TAURUS - Haven't had a lot of direct planetary stimulation of late but I am not complaining. The South Node just retrograded into my sign which means that I may be tempted to follow my path of least resistance and I sure know where that can lead me...sensuality, shopping, sensuality.....OK, so maybe I will only do that part of the time because Mars is newly in Scorpio, my opposite sign and opposites do attract. Hmm...sensuality, make love not war I am all over that now I just need to find me a sweet Scorpio. Do they make them in that model? GEMINI - I don't know how much more over the top over extended and over stimulated a person can be but since I am a twin, we can divide that in half and yep, it's still a whole hell of a lot on my plate, thank you very much big planet Jupiter. As Mae West my fave Leo once said, "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!" I don't know how many more electrical gadgets I can play with and learn and how many social networks I can join. Facebook is about to shut down my friends intake but I guess that will be OK. Hard to be such a Rock Star! CANCER - I feel that the Universe has been shaking my tree mercilessly however I do feel like I have achieved an inner freedom that was quite unexpected. I am trying to slice and dice my way through my career path to hone in on my exact mission plan and direct my energies there. Putting the Goddess or Great Spirit in the driver's seat seems like a brilliant feat of delegating and a much wiser way to go. My pool is feeling so much more peaceful now that I have taken some of the weight off of my plate. I need to look at life's smorgasbord the way I do an All you can Eat place and only take what I most want and leave the rest. Kindred Sisters — September 2012
LEO - Ah we meet again! I am feeling the afterglow of the Sun being in my sign, um just love it. Sept. 7 and Venus is in Leo and my heart is feeling so full and I just want everyone to feel as good as I do. I have learned to share believe it or not and what do you know, that leaves me with more not less. I guess you can teach an old cat new tricks. I have had to take a long look in the mirror and I saw how my pride has kept me from so much more joy and I am so willing to drop that well worn barrier. That heart opening exercise has really helped move me to a better place and now Venus is ready and waiting for me YES!
AQUARIUS - Still feeling really free being me with all of my strange idiosyncrasies and loving it. This is so my time. Uranus in Aries fans my flames sending me frenzied to the next Occupy event or some kind of social media deal as long as it is cutting edge. Oh I love that phrase cutting edge and Jupiter in Gemini is the wind beneath my wings so, Age of Aquarius here I come. No need for the Moon to be in the 7th house and Jupiter to align with Mars, Now Peace ruling the Planet and Love ruling the Stars I can go for that. I have rarely felt so radically alive!
VIRGO - Yeah, this Virgin, is coming to town and I am going to be taking names I tell you. Even though Neptune is opposing me and making me color outside all the lines I am relaxing more but I haven't forgotten my mission to really clean things up on this planet. My mind is clear most of the time but I am just not so driven and for the first time that feels so much better. Don't you forget, if you want it done right, get a Virgo.
PISCES - Going with the flow in the sea of possibilities. Wow I am feeling so free up in my inner world and my spirituality has shot through the roof. Neptune and Chiron in my sign have opened a floodgate of understanding in the ways of Spirit. This is very satisfying in part because I have finally grasped the art of delegating the weight of the world to the Infinite, the Goddess of A Thousand Names who can bear the weight much more gracefully than I can. What a relief! What an absolutely novel idea, Ask For help! The cosmic LIBRA - My perpetual search for balance surely leads me into some mystery and boundlessness of Neptune in Pisces can be scary for pretty funky places I can tell you that. Seems like it should be so easy some of you earthy folks that always need to know outcomes but for yet that pendulum swings to and fro like day follows night. Good news me it is absolutely exhilarating. Librans, we only need to roll around Saturn's old rings till Oct. 6. Yes freedom is in sight I tell you and we can get the lead out and get the Dodge out of Hell as one of my Libran friends would say. Fence sitting Through my monthly Astroflash, I have endeavored to offer gender neutral astrology to speak to all sexual preferences and identities. If can be such a drag and we can make it an art form but when the you know your Rising sign, your personal reading will be more weightiness of our choices eases up it’s gonna be a whole new world. SCORPIO - Wow Mars is in my sign! Damn I am feeling so feisty it’s almost scary. Nice to feel my waters stirred up and my desire running on full tilt. My body is more aware of itself than I can remember and I guess its time to come out of my warm dark tidal pool and find the love of my life or at least for the night. Seriously though, hormones aside, I really prefer something deep and meaningful and might be so inclined to wait for just that. SAGITTARIUS - OK where's the fire? Good to see that lovely Venus will fire up the vibes in Leo and Uranus has been driving us all to distraction in Aries but what about Sag? Aren't there any planets for me? Well guess I will just have to borrow some from the other fire signs which actually works very well. After all I am a very expansive kind of sign and any good energy is fine with me. I am feeling freer than in many months but free fall can be an unsettling feeling too. With no walls to bind me I could do anything and be anywhere. Things that make you go hmmmm.
accurate if you read the passage for that sign as well as your Sun sign. For deeper questions and readings of an Astrological or Psychic nature, feel free to call 352-475-2432 for an appt. or contact me through my website: www.Flashsilvermoon.com
Next session of Moonhaven Mystery School for Women - tentative date: Mon. Sept. 10 (see my website for exact date: www.flashsilvermoon.com). PLEASE CALL AND DISCUSS GOOD CLASS TIMES FOR YOU 352-475-2432. The class will meet for 4 consecutive Mon evenings 7-9:30pm. Only $62 for the 4 sessions. Call Now to Reserve Your Space! If you have always wanted to join a wonderful group of women to learn and develop your psychic and healing abilities in an empowered and safe space, This One's For You! Psychic Development and Empowerment, Women's Magic and Ritual, Stone Healing, Animal Communication, Healing Potions & much more @ Moonhaven in Melrose.
Sep 11, 7-8pm EST: Womanspirit Flash Flash Silvermoon will host a new monthly Radio Show called CAPRICORN - I don't want to hear any whining from any of you other Womanspirit Flash & will be joined by at least 3 other Priestesses of signs because I have had Pluto on my back for like forever with no different traditions to offer LIVE ON AIR RITUALS FOR HEALING THE real end in sight and that damn anarchist Uranus goosing me every PLANET. FMI check my website. time it feels like it, I am so over it. I have always done the right thing, paid my taxes, done at least my share and never backed down just because it was hard and somehow it feels like I get no credit, street Sep 22: Fall Equinox Celebration or otherwise for my efforts. I watch others appear to just slide by Grand Celebration of Harvest! Bring something that you have and this is hard to witness. I think I have to appreciate who I am, my harvested! Food, Thoughts, Music, Poetry, etc. 6pm - Potuck (all foods standards and what I have accomplished by doing it my way with welcome). 7pm - Celebration. Please do not wear any perfumes or integrity and nobody can take that away from me. There is honor in bug sprays at Moonhaven unless pure and natural. I am very allergic. this. Kindred Sisters — September 2012
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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 301 State Road 26, Melrose FL 352-475-2924, 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 LGBT Affairs www.dso.ufl.edu/multicultural/lbgt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 352-377-1669, 4225 NW 34th St, Gainesville Wild Iris Books 802 W University Ave, Gainesville www.wildirisbooks.com, 352-375-7477
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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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 WANT A PART TIME JOB? LOOKING FOR YARD HELP FOR 3 TO 4 HOURS A WEEK IN MELROSE. If you have a few hours for various yard tasks, I can pay you $10.00 an hour plus $5.00 for gas each trip. Must be able to work on a regular basis, same day each week on either Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday during the noon to 8pm time slot for 3 to 4 hours and be reliable, hard working, and trustworthy. Call Shewolf at 352475-3722 for details if interested. Slow, lazy workers need not apply. SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: for a study on the life experiences and well-being of sexual minority women. In order to participate, you must identify as a woman, a sexual minority person (e.g. lesbian, bisexual, queer, or other sexual minority orientation), currently reside in the U.S., and be 18 years of age or older. If you would like to participate in this study, please go to www.surveymonkey.com/ s/HRTJZ2B SURVEY PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: University of Florida conducting a study that examines the experiences of gays and lesbians in American society. If you are 18 or older, identify as gay/lesbian (not bisexual), and live in the US or Canada, please consider participating in this short (less than 15 minutes) questionnaire-based study. You can access the survey through the following link: https://ufpsychology.qualtrics.com/SE/? SID=SV_bJFjuDKAd9cozSQ.
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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 — September 2012
Please Support Those Who Support Kindred Sisters! And let them know where you saw their ads!
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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WomenÊs Dinner & a Movie Relax with the gals, enjoy a nice dinner, & catch a great movie -- all for just $5! Can you think of a better way to spend a Sunday evening?!
September 2nd
at
5:00 pm
“Bar Girls” Director: Marita Giovanni Cast: Nancy Allison Wolfe, Liza D'Agostino, Camila Griggs, Michael Harris, Justine Slater, Lisa Parker, Pam Raines, Paula Sorge
Stood up yet again at Los Angeles' Girl Bar by her gorgeous but flaky girlfriend, successful TV cartoon writer Loretta fears she may never find her soul mate. But then in walks Rachael, an aspiring actress who more than catches Loretta's eye. They hit it off brilliantly, but when another woman starts flirting with Rachel, Loretta's jealousy flares up and their life together is threatened. (95 min)
Co-Sponsored by Kindred Sisters & Pride Community Center 3131 NW 13th St, Gainesville (www.gainesvillepride.org) Come back in October for “Bloomington”