europea n .l esb i a n .news
M ay 1 s t , 2010
eur ut .or g t
h
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m
E x c l u s i v e
P a m f r o m
H o u s e
a
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a
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i n t e r v i e w :
H a r r i s o n o f
t h e
M u s e s
G r a p h i c
N o v e l s
Plus: LesBian Life | Studying LesBians We Are Everywhere | The Lesbian News Stack
1
eurOut magazine About:
Dear reader It fills me with joy to proudly
In this issue, we won’t only bring
present this magazine to you. If
you
you didn’t know already, you should
we also give you some food for
know by the time you finish reading
thought. Join our writer Gwen for
this issue that Europe is very, very
instance, while she searches for an
gay. The problem is that it’s not
explanation of the human need to
always very visible. I remember
label everything and everyone. Or
the frustration I felt when I was a
see if you agree with Ley’s take on
teen, thinking I was the only lesbian
experimenting
in my village. Once I discovered the
during childhood.
entertainment
with
and
This magazine is a biweekly publication of eurOut.org, the leading website for European lesBian entertainment and political news in the English language.
politics;
gender
roles
EurOut.org was launched in September 2008, and is now one of the most frequently visited sites on the web for gay women who are interested in European lesBian entertainment news, storylines on television, movies, music, events and political news. On a day-to-day basis eurOut.org provides thousands of readers with news, columns, in-depth articles, opinionated pieces and interviews.
internet, I quickly realized that I And with summer coming up, you
wasn’t alone.
might want to make some holiday What remained, though, was the
plans. Will you be joining us at the
lack of (a decent portrayal of) lesbian
Gay Games in Cologne, or are you
and bisexual women in the media.
looking
This was something that the founder
destination? You can read Anna’s
of American website AfterEllen.com,
thoughts on lesBian vacationing in
Sarah Warn, wanted to do something
her regular column LesBian Life, and
about.
she also informs you about the Gay
Why?
Because
visibility
matters; and visibility matters in
for
another
gay-friendly
Games and its patron for this year.
Europe too. This is exactly what inspired Sandra Showtime, our very
Besides articles and columns, we
own founder, to create eurOut.org.
are also very happy to offer you a regular comic, created exclusively
Readers also have the opportunity to connect with each other, to learn more about each other’s culture, environment and life, or to just have chats about the concerts they visited. Besides giving lesBians their much needed visibility, eurOut.org wants to create more understanding and solidarity among European lesBians, so that we can grow and develop into a European community that supports each other. Feel free to contact us with any questions, tips, remarks, or to just let us know what you think. Find our website at
www.eurout.org.
And so, here we are. Our dedicated
for us by Pam Harrison, the artist
team already provides you with
behind the House of the Muses
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
daily European lesBian news on
graphic novels. The very first comic
Saskia Joreen (editor@eurout.org)
our website, just to show you how
Pam made for us is accompanied by
gay Europe really is, and now we’re
an exclusive interview with her.
also providing lesBians from all over
PR-OFFICER: Anna McFaith (faith@eurout.org) Editor of Entertainment:
Europe with a magazine! To show
I hope you enjoy reading this issue
you that we’re out there. That there
as much as we’ve enjoyed making it!
Editor of Politics:
are lesBians out there who are doing
And in case you can’t get enough of
Maxime (politics@eurout.org)
wonderful or courageous things. To
European lesBians - our next issue
Art DirectION and layout:
show you where you can go for help
will come out in two weeks, and you
Embla (embla.eurout@gmail.com)
if you need it. To tell you what to
can find even more articles, columns,
ContributORS IN THIS ISSUE:
look out for in lesBian entertainment
and
and what to avoid. To keep you
online.
informed
about
LGBT
politics
actual
European
in
lesBians(!)
Natazzz (entertainment@eurout.org)
Chantal (chantal@eurout.org) Gwen (gwen@eurout.org) Ley (ley@eurout.org)
various European countries. And to
Maaike Kramer (maaikekramer.com)
show and tell you about so much
Warm regards,
more…
Saskia Joreen Chief Editor
Special inspirational thanks go out to Sandra Showtime, founder of eurOut.org.
2
In This Issue
4
4 Gay Games Invite Guido Westerwelle 6 The Lesbian News Stack 8 Why Do We Dislike Labels so Much? 10 Out Fashion Model Jessica Clark: Beauty&Brains
10
12 Movie Review: Supervoksen (Triple Dare) 14 Gender Article by “The Guardian” Stings 16 Gay Soldiers Blamed for Srebrenica 18 LesBian Life: Vacation Edition
24
20 We Are Everywhere 22 Studying LesBians 24 Lesbian (In) Visibility on Dutch TV 25 Interview: Pam Harrison from
25
the House of the Muses Graphic Novels 30 Where Are We on Television? 31 A List of LGBT Organizations
3
The Gay Games Invite Guido Westerwelle Four years ago, Chicago hosted the latest edition of the ultimate sports event for the queer community. This year, the Gay Games will be held in Cologne, Germany and it’s looking to be huge! EurOut.org offers you a look at the Games and some thoughts on German political leader Guido Westerwelle’s important role in the event. By: Anna Mcfaith from
Photo:gay games cologne 2010
The Gay Games take place July 31st until August 7th.
From the 31st of July until the 7th
participants this year. Every four years,
when he attended Angela Merkel’s
of August, most of the eurOut staff will
every sport inclined queer in the world
50th birthday party with his partner.
be in Cologne, Germany, attending
can compete against others to take
Westerwelle has been the Chairman
sports events and hosting various
home the title to their city, not their
of the Free Democratic Party (FDP)
events for our readers. We’ll inform
country. Although the Gay Games are
since the same year, and was the
you on those when the Gay Games
in no way only for the queers; those of
party’s General Secretary before that.
draw a little nearer, but for now we can
any sexual orientation can compete.
On October 28, 2009, he was named
positively tell you that you won’t be disappointed.
the country’s Foreign minister. In this Hosting the event is quite an honor
position he is the Vice-Chancellor of
and before Cologne this year, cities like
the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Gay Games, for those who have
New York, Sydney, Chicago, Amsterdam
never heard of it, is basically a huge
and San Francisco have had the honor.
His nomination has been met with
Pride event with a lot of sports. It’s one
Opening the event this year is Guido
a wide range of emotions, especially
of the world’s largest amateur sports
Westerwelle, a German political figure
from German people. While openly gay,
events and is expected to draw 12,000
who has been openly gay since 2004
Westerwelle refused to acknowledge
4
Photo:www.guido-westerwelle.de
The Gay Games Invite Guido Westerwelle
Germany’s Foreign Minister and ViceChancellor Guido Westerwelle, now also Patron of the Gay Games. his sexual orientation for a long time before coming out and even then, he doesn’t like to use the words ‘gay’ or ‘boyfriend’. Another point of criticism is that many German LGBTs think that
Westerwelle’s
political
party
delayed equality for LGBTs more than necessary. Westerwelle’s
nomination,
how-
ever does mean that a high profile German official will be present at the Photo:gay games cologne 2010
Games, adding considerable weight to the proceedings. While some may see Westerwelle’s involvement as just another photo opportunity, there is no denying that Westerwelle is gay, out and his very visible contribution to the Games will strengthen his visibility as a gay man on an international scale. The organizers hope to see you in Cologne this summer If Guido Westerwelle is the right man for the job remains to be seen,
That having been said, we at eurOut.
but we’ll find out at the ceremony. If
org are proud to be a sponsor of the
anything, an open admittance of his
Gay Games and are greatly looking
sexuality and an acknowledgement of
forward to spending seven days with
his long term partner, Michael Mronz,
our readers! The people of One More
seem to be in order. 34,000 spectators
Lesbian will be present as well and
and 12,000 LGBT athletes will hear this
while we can’t name names yet, I can
speech and it’s the kick off to seven
promise you there will be a couple of
days of LGBT Pride and fun. For his
people
sake, I hope his speech fits those two
fields present to make your little
criteria.
lesBian heart beat faster.
from
various
entertainment
Further Reading: www. gaygamescologne. com www.gaygames.com
5
The Lesbian News Stack
By: Maxime
Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The trouble is that not enough people have come together with the firm determination to live the things which they say they believe.” Join political editor Maxime in her regular column “The LesBian News Stack”, as she gives you an overview of recent political news of interest for European LGBTs.
Sweden/Lithuania The
Prime
ania
does
European country
Minister not
of
Lithu-
attempts to cancel Baltic Pride,
believe that homosexuality is
that
which is set to take place in Vilnius
disease. There even was a group on
his
on May 8th. At least two counter
Facebook, which has been closed,
demonstrations already took place.
that was calling to kill gay persons.
appreciate
politicians homophobic.
call He
claims
that “Lithuania is tolerant enough
While there’s no mention where
a country, in comparison to such
And unfortunately, protests against
these figures come from, I refuse to
countries like Norway or Denmark.”
Baltic Pride are not quieting down.
believe that an entire nation could
A dubious source wants to make
think like that. Although, there’s
for
us believe that more than 70%
always Poland to prove me wrong…
European Affairs, Birgitta Ohlsson,
percent of Lithuanians are against
scolded Lithuania for its repetitive
a Pride event, and that almost 50%
However,
6
a
Swedish
Minister
The Lesbian News Stack UK:
Hungary:
Czech Republic:
the
Nursery manager Laura Pettit,
Topolanek,
the
who
her
Minister, announced last week
Hungarian Constitutional Court
colleagues over cruelty directed
that he will also step down from
announced
to
at babies and small children,
his position as leader of the
various petitions claiming that
claimed that she has been the
ODS-party
the civil union law introduced
victim of a homophobic campaign
after having already resigned
last
Right
on
elections
time next
before month,
their
answer
was
reported
by
former
(Civic
Prime
Democrats)
unlawful.
initiated by her colleagues when
as the party’s election leader.
The answer is that the law is
they found out that she is a
This decision didn’t come from
completely in line with Hungarian
lesbian.
nowhere
constitutional requirements.
And this actually seems to be
summer
was
true.
Last
week,
Pettit
was
cleared of all charges. Me, I’m
Finland:
still stunned that people can actually be so mean and petty.
looks
as
if
Topolanek’s latest verbal gaffe (including derogatory comments about gays) having been one too much, especially with the of May.
uproar when a Finnish lesbian was fired from her job at a
The
newspaper
Tories
(Conservatives)
Poland:
even
might have changed and be
started. Allegedly this was done
more open towards gays, as they
for having kept her relationship
repeat
Apparently
A Polish institution for opinion
with another woman from her
though, “they” forgot to inform
research, GfK Polonia, found out
future employers. The media
all of their members about this.
that the Polish seem to be turning
corporation
to
Or how else should we explain
more and more conservative.
convince a local court that she
that shadow Home Secretary,
While again we don’t know what
hadn’t
being
Chris Grayling, is on tape saying
kind of persons were selected
a lesbian but for being in a
that in his opinion B&Bs should
for that survey and how many
relationship with a politician. Her
be allowed to turn away gay
were asked, it is still depressing
claim for unlawful dismissal was
guests.
to read that almost 80% are
been
had
she
it
upcoming elections at the end
Last year there was quite an
before
and
party members pulled the plug,
managed
fired
for
endlessly.
now confirmed by the Helsinki
against same-sex unions.
Court of Appeals and ordered the media corporation to pay a
Russia:
fine. Sadly, this doesn’t seem to be the end of the story, as they intend to involve the Supreme Court.
saying
that
“propaganda
homosexuality”
Are Belgian adoption rights worth the paper they’re written on? Figures announced recently tell us that only four gay couples last year got through the entire process while 40 couples applied for an adoption.
to
minors
of
Hessen:
is
Democrats CDU relaunched their
When
Christian
activists
website, one link went missing.
who were arrested last year
They insist it was an oversight,
for breaching that law took this
which hardly anybody believes.
to
Constitutional
While they remembered to add
Court which now decided that
links to all of their groups like
the Ryazan law is compliant
the youth-section and senior-
with the Russian constitution,
section, it was the gay-section
thus making homophobia legal
that was suppressed.
prohibited.
Belgium:
Germany:
The region Ryazan has a law
the
Two
Russian
gay
in Russia. The issue will now be taken to the European Court of Human Rights.
www.eurout.org 7
Why Do We Dislike Labels So Much? Everyone gets confronted with labels. While the straight population tends to be unaware of this fact, those who venture into the unknown lesBian world will soon learn everything has changed. After a recent interview with Ireen Wüst, Dutch ice skater, we examine the human need for labels and the lesBian need not to receive them. By: Gwen “You think: Well, I don’t know,
some slack because after all, my own
Wüst is coming from. ‘Lesbian’ is
I never felt anything for a woman
coming to terms with my sexuality was
not such a beautiful word, especially
before. That’s tough for a while. You
a long and painful process that took
not the Dutch translation ‘lesbisch’.
think: I don’t fall for women, I don’t
several years. But why did I just boldly
It sounds like it’s got to do with
like the word ‘lesbian’. I don’t like
assume she was still going through
sneezing. I don’t really like ‘bisexual’
pigeon holing. But that’s what we do
that?
either, because it keeps being claimed
in the Netherlands. If you fall for a girl,
by people, especially girls who party a
you’re a lesbian. If you don’t exclude
Elsewhere in the same article, Wüst
lot, who take a word that is supposed
men, you’re bi. I don’t care about
says she’s not ashamed Sanne is her
to describe me and change its entire
labels. I used to fall for men, but now
girlfriend. “I’m proud of it. Yes, it’s a
meaning. It also ignores the fact that
I’m dating Sanne. And that makes me
girl and not a boy, so be it.” For some
gender is not to be divided into two
happy.”
reason
clear points, but is a spectrum, which
all
the
positive
comments
things. The first is a description of what
“I’m proud of it. Yes it’s a girl and not a boy, so be it”
she felt after she fell for short track
Wüst made that make it clear she’s
is enough material for a whole other
speed skater Sanne van Kerkhof. The
not unsure of herself, or defensive, or
article.
second are her problems with labels
trying to downplay her own queerness,
after falling in love with Sanne, and
they just went in at one ear and out at
Therefore I usually lean towards the
the third is the really good part where
the other. All that I focused on was her
word ‘queer’, or try to see ‘lesbian’ as
she says she’s happy about dating her,
not wanting to ‘pick’ a label, like that
a catch-all meaning ‘all women who
which of course makes all of us very
is somehow required. And to do that is
are not straight’, the way ‘gay’ can
happy too.
in my opinion especially shameful for
mean ‘all people who are not straight’.
someone who is frequently confronted
Not a lot of people outside the LGBT
What Ireen Wüst says about labels
with the whole ‘fence-sitter’ myth
community
and pigeon holing is something I’d like
about bisexuality. Instead of putting
‘queer’, which means I always use
to discuss a little further, because the
straight and gay on both sides of this
‘bisexual’, in an increasingly futile
rest is quite clear to me and not in
hypothetical fence I’m sitting on, I
attempt to make sure everyone knows
any way problematic. The first thing I
created another one for Wüst with
it doesn’t always mean that we want to
thought when I read the first part of
lesbian and bisexual on either side,
kiss random straight girls in bars, or, in
her statement was that she’s bi and
and decided for her that at one point
fact, that we are always girls.
refusing to identify as such, or else
she would ‘choose’.
This is pretty much a literal translation of what recently out Dutch ice skater Ireen Wüst, who won gold in the Winter Olympics, said in an interview in magazine Sportweek. I wonder how many of you can sympathize with the entire statement. For this article, I tried to break it down a little, and I think she is basically saying three different
IREEN WÜST
a lesbian and hesitant to adopt that identity. Then I decided to cut her
8
in
Holland
understand
We pigeon hole. We don’t just do Actually, it’s very easy to see where
that in the Netherlands, I’m a hundred
Why Do We Dislike Labels So Much? percent sure we do
just been referring
that everywhere. We
to
don’t just do it with
‘gayness’,
sexuality either, we
she might consider
do
herself
it
with
gender,
Ireen
Wüst’s although
completely
race, sex, and social
label less, and I keep
groups,
after
referring to myself
high school. One of
even
as ‘queer’ although
my
I’ve had a few very
best
friends
is
rather gothic, rarely
straight
wears her own hair
year. It almost seems
dates
this
color
and
owns
like, apart from the
more
band
shirts
political
statement,
than regular shirts.
it would be easier
People are probably
to just abolish labels
surprised to see the
altogether.
two of us together, because they would
But
pigeon hole us and
would we do what
wonder how on Earth
we like best, which
we managed to strike
is put people in neat
up a friendship being
little boxes? If we
so different. And don’t
didn’t
even get me started
we couldn’t do that
on words like ‘butch’,
anymore. It would be
‘femme’,
almost like having to
‘twink’,
or
‘bear’.
then
have
how
labels,
judge people on their actual personalities.
Sometimes,
labels
Gasp! No, we can’t
are a good way to
have that.
make sure everyone knows
where
we
As
far
as
I’m
stand. When I say
concerned,
I’m
want
Wüst has every right
people to understand
to identify any way
that
queer, doesn’t
I
mean
I’m all of a sudden
Do we always have to put people in neat little boxes?
different or want to be
Image copyright: Maaike Kramer
Ireen
she likes, just like everyone else. And I should wait a little
treated differently, but
longer before accusing
I do want them to be respectful about
When Ireen Wüst told the press she
someone of not wanting to identify as
it. I want people to know I support
had a girlfriend, a large part of the
something that would be perhaps more
our community and the LGBT rights
questions directed at her on her way
beneficial to ‘the cause’. Because ‘the
movement – ‘the cause’. Other times,
to the Olympics were about her being
cause’ is not just what I want it to be,
labels are annoying in a way that makes
gay, while she wanted to talk about ice
it belongs to all of us, and a very good
it seem like a part of you defines you
skating. Apparently, her gayness was
Olympic ice skater who’s open about
entirely. And because bisexual is not
all everyone was concerned about,
her relationship with another woman is
the only thing I am, I usually let people
while I think the last anyone wants is
not someone who should be scoffed at.
find out gradually and make exceptions
to be summed up by their sexuality.
It doesn’t matter if she’s a lesbian or
for good friends or other people who I
bisexual or neither, what’s important is
think it is important for that I explicitly
The other problem with labels is that
come out to them.
they are never completely clear. I’ve
that she’s there.
9
Out Fashion Model Jessica Clark: Beauty & Brains Originally from Britain, Jessica Clark now lives in New York.
10
Out Fashion Model Jessica Clark: Beauty & Brains What do you get when you combine a sexy accent, exotic good looks and intelligence? You get out British fashion model Jessica Clark. By: Chantal Miss Clark is from British, Indian and Iranian descent, which explains her exotic appearance. She first came
Jessica with her wife, Lacey Stone.
to my attention in 2008, when she did an interview with website AfterEllen. In that interview she talked, amongst other things, about her life and what it is really like to be a model. I’ll give you a hint to what she said: it’s not that glamorous or good for your selfimage at all. At the age of 16, Jessica won a beauty contest and £5,000 which shot her to the top of the food chain in the modelling industry. She was on the
The agent brought her back to New
who deserve it. I love her for that
runways of Milan to New York before
York and got her clean. She had done
statement alone.
she could say “thank you”.
coke and had various eating disorders
Though she has been modelling ever
and it took her a good year before she
Jessica is married to Lacey Stone
was somewhat back to normal.
from Lacey Stone Fitness. The two met at a gym in 2006 and Jessica
since, it was never her intention to become a model. She wanted to be
Jessica doesn’t do runways anymore.
had a crush on her for a while
a barrister and never thought she’d
It is a sacrifice she was willing to make
before they got together.The girls
have a modelling career as she found
in order to contain a healthier weight.
are entrepreneurs in their own right;
modelling disrespectful toward women.
Like she said, she ‘can’t do runway and
they operate a blog called SWEATCity,
The main reason she kept modelling
not starve’ herself.
where they talk about their life and amongst other things, fitness, which is
was because of the money, which she admitted to in the AfterEllen interview,
Though Jessica has been out for
Lacey’s business, but also a huge part
and because she didn’t think law was
quite some time, she wasn’t always as
of Jessica’s life.
her kind of career.
comfortable talking about it because she never knew how people were going
Recently, Jessica and Lacey have
of
to respond – case in point being singer
teamed up with website AfterEllen to
models on television (like in America’s
Usher, who was quoted saying that
bring you Lesbian Love, a video blog
Next Top Model) isn’t always accurate
‘women have started to become lovers
where Lacey and Jessica talk openly
- it’s more bunk beds and small rooms,
of each other as a result of not having
and candidly about certain subjects
rather than luxurious villas – the
enough men.’ This is pretty ridiculous
like relationships, U-Hauling and the
cattiness and insecurities that you see
if you ask me.
holidays.
Although
the
representation
amongst the girls are all true. If being beautiful wasn’t enough to
Further Reading:
Jessica was one of the lucky ones; in
make me jealous, Jessica is a life coach
the long haul Jessica didn’t burn out,
as well. Being a life coach is not about
Jessica Clark’s official site:
and didn’t lose her mind either.
‘fixing’ someone though, it is more
www.jessicaclarklife.com
about forward thinking and action. And
SWEATCity:
After a few years in the industry,
if she were Dexter’s (television serial
sweatcity.wordpress.com
Jessica couldn’t do it anymore. She
killer) life coach, she’d tell him to stop
Lesbian Love video blogs:
had a meltdown and called up her New
it, but admits that the beauty of that
http://bit.ly/lesbian-love
York agent backstage from a show.
show is that he only kills the people
11
Movie Review: Supervoksen (Triple Dare)
There’s something about teenagers in Scandinavian movies that constantly makes me think “I was not like that at all at fifteen.” Maybe that’s because if you have to believe the movies, Scandinavian teens drink well before they’re legally allowed to, have elaborate conversations about sex with their friends and spend way more time partying than they do in school. I’m not sure how much of this is reality-based, but it does make for interesting movie watching. By: Gwen 12
Movie Review: Supervoksen (Triple Dare) Sofie and Katrine end up in a surreal white-and-blue ball pit.
Leth),
doesn’t
than-life stereotypes, which is the
mean anything and thinks the three of
thinks
Confirmation
31-year-old man who hires Rebekka
them should make their own ritual.
for sex but luckily gets her to admit she isn’t actually twenty years old,
Remember cootie catchers? Rebekka’s
as she claimed. Before she leaves, he
friend
Lindegård)
gets a phone call from his young son
happens to have one with her, and
and suddenly he’s no longer the face
the three girls decide to use it on their
of all evil. This, too, is perhaps a teen
road to adulthood. They each write a
movie cliché.
Claudia
(Amalie
dare on the flaps that they have to take and finish within one week. These
I am not going to fill you in on the
dares include “make someone believe
details of the plot involving Katrine
you are a hooker”, which has Rebekka
and Sofie, but I will say Sofie was
on a street corner with a blue wig -
the first lesbian teen to be found in a
which shows what I meant when I said
Danish movie. And then I’ll also add:
I wasn’t at all like that when I was
considering its genre, Supervoksen is
fifteen.
actually making a few good points.
Rebekka is the main character, and
There’s a scene between Claudia and
of her two friends, Claudia seems to
her boyfriend where I think the English
be the one with the more interesting
subtitles
life. However, I don’t think you need
“kostbar” with “hard to get”. “Are you
to have a trained lesbian eye to realize
playing hard to get now?” Rasmus says
there is something going on between
in the subtitles. “I am hard to get,”
Rebekka’s other friend Sofie (Cathrine
Claudia answers. I don’t speak Danish,
Bjørn) and her boss Katrine at the
but my native language is Dutch and I
diner where she works. The storyline
do more or less understand German,
the movie is primarily worth watching
so I feel safe to assume “kostbar”
for starts when Sofie gets her first
means expensive or precious. I don’t
dare. She is to French kiss another girl,
think Claudia is simply talking about
and refuses at first, but somehow she
sex; she’s also talking about her sense
and Katrine end up in a surreal white
of self-worth.
get
it
wrong,
translating
and blue ball pit. Another quote worth listening to is Supervoksen is a Danish movie from
Katrine
2006. The original title literally means
throughout
‘Super Adult’, but the international title
the same goes for Rebekka’s crush
Triple Dare makes sense as well. The
Adam.
movie is about three fifteen-year-old
meanwhile just seems to want her
Supervoksen is definitely not the
girls who have been best friends since
for the sex. Important to remember
Danish answer to the Swedish classic
kindergarten. They learn something
is that Supervoksen is a teen movie
Fucking Åmål (“Show Me Love”), but
in
passage
that maybe even I am growing a little
if you buy yourself something to snack
(Confirmation) that are celebrated to
too old for. There is just one smaller
while watching, you will probably enjoy
show a person’s coming of age. One
character that in my opinion has a little
yourself as much as I did.
of the girls, Rebekka (played by Emma
depth and is not defined by larger-
school
about
rites
of
remains the
Claudia’s
a
entire
bit
surreal
movie,
boyfriend
but
Rebekka’s “I don’t know how to be a human being.” After all, haven’t we all been there?
Rasmus
13
Gender Article by “The Guardian” Stings Gender roles play an important part in the lives of many young lesBians, gays and transsexuals. That doesn’t mean every young girl who struggles with her gender will grow up to be a lesBian or transgendered. A recent article published in The Guardian begs to differ and we share our thoughts on the subject with you. By: Ley
For as long as I can remember, I’ve
there, and if I returned home after a
cars,
never been what you might classify as
hard day’s play covered in scratches
their Subbuteo finger football game,
a ‘girly-girl’. Growing up across from
and dirt, well, even better!
and their Star Wars toys, quite on the
a park with a mini golf course, lake,
their
Scalextric
race
tracks,
contrary. For them, they were more
play park and bike track, it’s easy to
As much as my family wished I was
than happy to allow me to work on
understand that I was most definitely a
more ‘girly’ (possibly because I am the
my
tom-boy. And proud of it. I never wore
only girl on either side of my family),
playing as part of a group, sharing,
pink, loved getting covered in mud, if
they never deterred me from playing
taking turns, pretending, using my
there was a tree needing climbed I was
with my two older brothers’ model
imagination, and over-all just being
14
social
skills
that
accompanied
Gender Article by “The Guardian” Stings
happy and content. And for this, I
girls feeling empowered, and strong,
women throughout history who have
thank them.
and knowing that they have strong role
played important roles: Jane Austin,
models that have lead the way before
Virginia Woolf, Anne Frank, Michelle
Maybe it was because of my up-
them. I am. But the thing that seems
Obama, and Simone de Beauvoir. Each
bringing that I found this particular
a little obvious to me, which I feel the
of these are indeed important women,
Guardian article so hard to get my
little girl’s mum has somewhat missed,
but to a 3-year-old girl, the most
head around. The article talks about
is that if the little girl’s happy, then
important woman is her mum.
a parents struggle to get her 3-year-
shouldn’t that be of more importance
old daughter to enjoy her ‘girlhood’. In
to the parent than having her play
Children go through phases where
particular, the woman has heard her
with ‘girly’ Hello Kitty figures, rather
they like to try on different identities,
daughter muttering things like: “Girls
than engaging with her brother in joint
and they should be able to do so. The
are boring. I want to do boys’ things,”
activities?
freedom to be given that choice is
under the influence of her 6-year old brother.
essential to a child’s development and Does the mother feel disappointed
growth.
that her daughter does not yet share In my opinion, who can blame her?
her own views that “being a girl is
Whether the trip was a good idea or
He gets Star Wars, pirates, football
fun”? Perhaps it comes down to gender
not, I think the main point is that people
and all other action-packed activities!
identity.
mould
need to be more understanding at
What does the little girl get? Hello
that is expected from our parents.
allowing others to express themselves,
Kitty and Barbie!! The 3-year old girl
From what I remember, feminism
and be who they are comfortable
announces: “I am not a girl, Mummy,
wasn’t even in my vocabulary until I
being. Regardless of the age of the
I am a boy (…) My name is Peter.” So
was about 11. Even then, a feminist
child, the whole idea that the mum was
in response, and to rid her daughter of
pilgrimage was not exactly high on my
so terrified the situation had come “to
such thoughts, the mum takes her on a
‘to do’ list. So understandably, after
a head”, with her daughter announcing
feminist pilgrimage around the streets
seeing one statue and walking for
she was a boy, is very concerning for
of London. Make that a three hour trail
more than a 3-year-old can handle,
people’s views and tolerance of gender
around some of the dullest places in
the cake promise was not being met
identity.
London.
soon enough for her taste.
“My mother-in-law reeled: ‘That poor
When all is said and done, I honestly
child!’ But I knew how to sell it to Vera.
don’t understand what the harm is in
‘Would you like to come and find out
letting children choose their own toys,
what lots of important ladies did, and
rather than choosing gender specific
then we’ll have cake?’” The innocent
toys for them. Several studies have
little girl fell for the mum’s trap… she
been carried out to discover whether,
only heard the important word in that
if left to their own devices, a child will
sentence: “Yes,” she replied seriously.
pick a gender specific toy to play with,
“I would like cake.”
or that aimed at the opposite gender.
Fitting
the
correct
Whether their parents were present What is so wrong with a little 3-year
or not, half of the boys chose to play
old girl wanting to express herself in
with the doll, rather than the truck. So
that way? Is it really such a bad thing
what’s so wrong with that?
to give the child the freedom to be who, and indeed what, she wants?
The mum (who wrote the article),
Don’t get me wrong here, I’m all for
goes on to mention several strong
Background: The article, called “Journeys for the girls (and women)”, was written by Viv Groskop and was published on the website of The Guardian (www. guardian.co.uk) on March 11, 2010.
15
Gay Soldiers Blamed for Srebrenica Massacre In a now infamous interview with his superiors on the question of overturning ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, General John Sheehan blamed ‘the gays’ in the Dutch army for the Massacre in Srebrenica. We inform you of his statement and the global fallout. By: Anna McFaith military official made this comment. Why the gays are to blame isn’t clear, however. Sheehan says in his statement that the Dutch government told him that they placed part of the blame on them. Because of the “socialisation of the military” the “force was ill-equipped to go to war,” Sheehan said in his testimony. He re-counted the story of how enemy soldiers overran the Dutch army and “... handcuffed them to telephone poles, marched the Muslims off and executed them.” Chairman Carl Levin then proceeded to ask if the Dutch government told Sheehan it was because there were gay soldiers stationed there. Sheehan answered affirmatively. “They included that as part of the problem. ... A combination of the liberalization of the military — a net effect, basically, of social engineering.” For those of you unaware of the events that have come to be called the Srebrenica Massacre, I’ll try to explain. What follows will be a black-andwhite summary of a war that lasted for three years and claimed between 25,000 and 329,000 lives. I am in no way trying to be inclusive as that is simply impossible in a conflict this exhaustive. That, of course, is also a large part of the reason why Sheehan’s desire to blame the Massacres on a Former NATO Commander John J. Sheehan
minority is outrageous and downright homophobic.
On the 18th of March, former NATO
military contributed to the Srebrenica
Commander John J. Sheehan testified
massacre in 1995.
in a hearing held by the Senate Armed
Between March 1992 and November 1995,
a
war
raged
between
two
groups;
the
Services Committee. He argued that
The USA has been debating for years
religious
the Netherlands’ policy allowing openly
on the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ status of
Bosnian Croats and the Bosnian Serbs.
gay soldiers to serve in the country’s
their army so it’s unsurprising a US
The war in Bosnia and Herzegovina
16
and
cultural
Gay Soldiers Blamed for Srebrenica Massacre came about as a result of the breakup of Yugoslavia of which there were those in favour and those against. The Massacre occurred in July of 1995. In 1993, the United Nations had declared Srebrenica a safe area and under UN protection. To
keep
this
promise,
the
UN
dispatched a group of 400 Dutch soldiers to keep the peace. Two years after this decision, on the 6th of July 1995, the Bosnian Serbs took the offence after a long period of threats. The Dutch observation posts were overrun in a matter of days and many Photo: wikipedia.org
of the Dutch soldiers surrendered to the overwhelming forces. For reasons that
are
still
largely
unclear,
no
international action was taken against these attacks and in the following period, many, many people were raped and/or killed. Now, I wasn’t there. I didn’t see
The Srebrenica Massacre Memorial Stone.
what happened with the Dutch soldiers but I doubt 400 men and women,
get the trial started. Dutch LGBT rights
ment saying they are happy with the
distributed over several observation
organisations like the COC and Gay
apology and won’t take further legal
posts, could have prevented these
Krant also joined the initiative.
action against Sheehan. The money raised for the trial will go to other
horrible events even if they had stood their ground and fought to the death.
As ridiculous as Sheehan’s statement
causes supported by Pink Army.
is, it is not the first time gays have been Of course (or should I say thankfully?)
blamed for the weirdest or most tragic
many, many individuals, groups and
of things. UK newspaper The Telegraph
politicians fell over the statements.
has
Right
Chairman
accounts blamed on gays (for the link,
Levin said that Sheehan’s attempt
see the info box). The list includes
to
earthquakes,
away,
connect
Committee Dutch
military
short-
composed
a
9/11
list
of
and
historical
Read More:
Hurricane
comings to the service of homosexuals
Katrina. Please, take a look, it’ll put
in Holland’s military “was totally off
this whole thing in perspective.
Video footage of Sheehan’s testimony:
target.” The Dutch government called the
and
On March 30th, Sheehan took the
unworthy of a soldier.” The Dutch
accusations
“outrageous
initiative to apologize for his words. He
foundation Pink Army threatened to
admitted his memories of the events
sue Sheehan for damages almost right
were “inaccurate” and that the fall of
away if he would not apologize for
Srebrenica could not be blamed on
his accusations and slander. SHK, the
individual soldiers. He also regrets
Dutch support organization for gays in
saying that the Dutch government told
the military, decided to join the cause
him that homosexual soldiers were to
of Pink Army. SHK chairman Peter
blame.
http://is.gd/blrwP The Telegraph’s list of global events blamed on LGBTs:
http://is.gd/blrqz
Kees Hamstra even considered being one of the seven soldiers needed to
Pink Army released a public state-
17
LesBian Life: Vacation Edition With the vacation season coming along, this edition of LesBian Life will focus on where to vacation, how to vacation and mostly; how not to vacation! By: Anna McFaith. Image copyright: Maaike Kramer
18
LesBian Life: Vacation Edition
For those of you who have
mind. They recommend a visit to
All I can think of is that one
read LesBian Life before, I tend to
golden oldies like Lesbos, Greece,
weekend when I was 12 when my
make a couple of embarrassing or
or Iceland. Wait… Iceland? Really?
parents took me camping and it
funny confessions to introduce my
Apparently, the whole of Iceland is
rained so much that the whole soil
subject. On the topic of vacationing,
so gay-friendly, it’s the perfect spot
below the tent had turned to jelly.
I have a couple of new confessions
to vacation.
I’ve never been so miserable in my
to make.
life. Every time I hear the word If I remember well, Iceland is
‘camping’, I picture myself literally
One, I’m not a big fan of travelling.
where they shot the first Tomb
knee deep in mud.
I
and
Raider movie, so vacationing there
meeting new people but I hate
is somewhat tempting. The fact
LesBian events that do appeal
leaving the comfort of my home.
that Angie walked on Iceland soil
to me are the Gay Games (which
I’m in that stage of my life that
might just be enough to make this
I will be attending this year!), San
the only possible way of going on
beautiful country lesbian vacation
Francisco (the absolute whole of
vacation is on a friend’s couch or in
spot number one! I’m not sure
it; my girlfriend went there once
a tent… and I loathe, really, really
I, with my dislike for cold nights,
and has been wanting to go back
loathe camping. I hate being cold
would appreciate camping there
since), Berlin (the city of gays and
and clammy, I hate cooking on one
(after all, Lara Croft wore about
art, apparently. Both are loves of
of those camping burners and I
thrice as much clothes in those
mine, so I’m all in favor), Barcelona
hate sharing my toilet with 60 other
scenes than she did the entire
(warm, sunny, culturally aware…
people.
movie combined).
sounds
love
seeing
new
places
yummy!)
and,
honestly,
many, many others. Having said that, I’ve had some
I readily admit I’m spoiled when
great camping vacations and I’m
it comes to vacations. My parents
Okay, maybe this whole vacation
bound to have a lot more. There is
took me on vacation once every
thing isn’t so bad after all. Apparently
only one thing that I could potentially
two or three years but we always
there are a lot of places us lesBians
find more creepy and terrifying,
flew and stayed in a nice condo or
can go to without running the risk
which is spending two months on a
cabin once we got there. We stayed
of being discriminated against or
cruise ship with a gazillion lesBians.
two weeks, spared no expenses,
hurt and there might even be some
Please, forgive me, I do not mean to
and lived off of mac and cheese for
interesting entertainment.
sound derogatory or ashamed to be
the remainder of the year. It was
gay but I’m the kind of lesbian that
well worth it. Both my parents hate
has never attended a pride event.
camping, maybe even more than I
I’m more of the ‘I’m gay, so what?’
do.
kind of gal. To spend two months
LesBian Life is a regular column written by Anna McFaith who shares her thoughts on various aspects of life as a lesBian woman.
on a ship with nothing to focus on
My girl’s parents, however, always
besides my sexuality might be bad
took her on low-budget vacations.
For further reading:
for my mental health… and that
They went every year and sailed
The mentioned article from Zeit
would be confession number two.
for three to four weeks or traveled
Online:
France with a tent for the same
http://bit.ly/lesbisches-reisen
I used to think that when it came
to
lesbian
vacations,
amount of time. My girl is used
an
to camping and she has so many
“TripAdvisor Reveals Europe’s Top
Olivia cruise was my only option. A
pleasant memories of it that just
Ten Gay & Lesbian-Friendly Hotels”
recently published German article
the thought of camping in France
http://bit.ly/tripadvisor-top10
in Zeit Online made me change my
fills her with glee.
19
We Are Everywhere
By: Natazzz
In our regular column “We Are Everywhere”, entertainment editor Natazzz gives you a selection of everything that happened and is about to happen in European lesBian entertainment. This edition is filled with concerts, Pride events, queer film festivals and lots more.
Music:
Music:
Sports:
Awesome singer/songwriter
Singer and actress Ellen ten
Norwegian handball hottie Gro
Brandi Carlile is coming to
Damme has won the Nathwani
Hammerseng announced she is
Europe this spring! You can
prize in Barcelona for the music
hoping to make a comeback to
catch her live in the UK, Ireland,
of her documentary As I was
the National team soon. She’s
France, the Netherlands,
wondering where this mixed-up
still recovering from previous
Germany and Denmark.
life of mine was leading to,
injuries, but said she would give
Check out
which follows ten Damme during
a definite answer about joining
brandicarlile.com
the time she battled with breast
the National team in June.
for tour dates.
cancer. Fellow handball player Anja Edin is starting a company
Music:
to help people with public speaking. Isn’t that nice of her? She wants to lend young people a hand and dare them to be themselves and not afraid of the world.
TV-land: Plus belle la vie’s Laetitia Milot might be playing a lesbian on stage soon. Not much is known yet, only that the play will be called Le Desir and that Milot’s character will fall for a woman.
TV-land: On the next cycle of the Swiss version of Farmer Seeks Wife (a show, that I’m a little ashamed to say, started in the Netherlands), both a gay man and a lesbian will take part. Even more exciting music news came with the announcement that
This is not the first time the
Melissa Etheridge will be touring Europe this summer with her Fearless
show allows gay contestants,
Love tour. Have you got your tickets yet? Go to melissaetheridge.com for
as last year the Belgian version
tour dates.
featured a lesbian as well.
20
We Are Everywhere Events:
Movies: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the first
Pride news
movie of the Millennium trilogy, is said to get an
Pride season is about to start and to celebrate this
American remake soon and Kristen Stewart might be
we’ll be giving you the latest news on pride events
playing Lisbeth Salander. There’s just so much wrong
across Europe.
with that sentence, I don’t know where to start… Perhaps just a simple “WHY?!” is enough.
The third Northern Pride will be held on July 17 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Find out more at npride.org.uk From Sweden came more exciting news this week, as it was announced that during Spring Pride you will be
Movies:
able to get married to your partner. Italy Queer sports can be found in Italy, where the 12th Italian Gay Open will take place in September. If you also enjoy tennis without Amélie Mauresmo, check it out. Also worth checking out is Italy’s national Gay Pride event, which will be held in Naples on June 26. Find out more on napolipride.com. The Netherlands Plan Nederland is having a Because I am a Girl concert on June 17 in Amsterdam to raise awareness about the position of girls in Third World countries.
There’s a new trailer out for British movie 4.3.2.1.
Spain
that is very lesbian-friendly. The plot mainly seems to
L-SUN is the name of the Women Summer Festival
involve dancing, sex and violence. Despite the lengthy
that will take place on Mallorca the final weekend
trailer, I’m still not quite sure what this movie is about.
of October. Yes, only in Spain can they still have a summer festival when the rest of us are already preparing for winter. Go to l-sun.eu for more
Movies: A more serious film is Cul De Sac, which details the story of an Iranian lesbian activist who applies for asylum in the UK. It looks interesting, and a little like the documentary version of Fremde Haut. Find out more about the movie at culdesacmovie.com
TV-land: The Coronation Street kiss between Sophie and Sian that people have been talking about for
information. Germany It’s time, once again, to get ready for the Lesbian Spring Meeting in Hamburg, which will take place May 21 until May 24. You won’t find me there, but it’s a popular event, so you might want to check it out. Find out more at lesbenfruehling.de
months and months (I
Austria
don’t really get all the
Queer Culture Festival Boundless will take place from
fuss), finally took place
mid June until early July and features concerts from
on April 11. Of course,
several queer acts. For more info, go to uferlos.or.at
it was all cute and innocent.
France If you live in France and like Queer Film Festivals then you are in luck, because there are lots of them taking place between now and the end of next
More entertainment news at:
eurOut.org
month, including In & Out in Nice, Cinemarges in Bordeaux, an international one in Grenoble and Reflets in Marseille.
21
Studying LesBians Being Ignored in and Excluded from Non-Targeted Research: When it comes to research aimed at the general public, lesBians are often ignored or excluded. Although you generally need a good rationale for excluding certain populations from scientific research, this doesn’t seem to apply to the exclusion of gays and lesBians. By: Natazzz
When I was an undergrad, I used
at the average student, so questions
like: “What do you look for in a man?”
to participate in many research studies
were rather general. Unfortunately,
or “When was the last time you had
to make some extra cash. These
general often meant not taking into
intercourse?” I always tried to answer
were
account the different backgrounds of
the best I could, trying to read it from
participants.
a lesBian perspective, but sometimes
mainly
from
the
Psychology
department and apart from the weird experiment now and then, it mainly
it was just impossible to complete the
involved filling in questionnaires on all
Whenever the topic was sex and/
kinds of different topics.
or relationships, the questions always
These studies were usually aimed
22
study.
seemed to be phrased in a heterosexual
However,
way. I was made to answer questions
weren’t
most
even
of
straight
the
time
it
relationships
Studying LesBians Being Ignored in and Excluded from Non-Targeted Research: (or something like that) they were
like a drug against ADHD, recovery
used to the widespread ignorance
researching, and a simple rewording of
from certain types of cancer and
and discrimination that is still around.
the items, for example, making them
managing diabetes.
It’s one thing to not be considerate
gender neutral (e.g. “What do you
of
people
based
on
their
sexual
look for in a partner?”), would make it
In most cases, there was no need to
orientation, but to deny them taking
easier for everyone to answer.
look only at straight people, and it’s
part in clinical trials?
really just a matter of discrimination. Nowadays you do sometimes see
Unfortunately, no data of this kind
that in questionnaires, they put into
According to one of the researchers
are available for European clinical
brackets something like: “If you are
Dr. Ronald Dunbrack, “It’s an exclusion
trials, so I cannot tell you if things are
homosexual, read ‘male’ where it says
that in many cases, maybe in most
just as bad on our side of the Atlantic,
‘female’ or ‘boyfriend’ where it says
cases, doesn’t need to be used.” The
but I wouldn’t be surprised.
“What do you look for in a man?” ‘girlfriend’.” I think considerations like
article goes on to say that for some
these should be made with any type of
clinical trials not just gay and lesbians,
relationship or sex questionnaire aimed
but also single straight men and
at a broad public. Still, it’s better to not
women were excluded, without any
have the questions especially tailored
good reason.
to your sexual orientation, than to not be allowed to participate in research
It’s alarming, especially when you
studies at all.
think
that
many
of
these
clinical
trials can help people with all kinds of In March a study was published in
medical and psychological problems.
The New England Journal of Medicine,
To exclude part of the population for
which showed that many clinical trials in
no good reason just isn’t right.
the United States exclude participants based on sexual orientation.
What’s even worse, is that you usually need a good rationale for excluding
They looked into over 80,000 clinical
certain parts of the population from
trials and they found that as many as
your clinical trials. However, no such
15% of them disqualified participants
rules seem to apply to gays and
based
lesbians.
on
sexual
orientation.
This
mainly seemed to be the case with trials involving sexual problems or
Are you surprised to read about this?
relationships. But also some studies
I’m not. I think part of me is getting
Studying LesBians Studying LesBians is a regular column written by Natazzz, in which she discusses current and not-socurrent research about lesbians and bisexual women.
23
LesBian (In)Visibility on Dutch Television The Netherlands have the reputation of being a liberal country with a very open policy towards LGBT issues. There’s gay marriage, the Gay Parade and when it comes to our TV, we have no problem showing queer characters. Wait. If we don’t have a problem showing them… then where are they? By: Anna McFaith It’s been ages since I last saw an
standpoint,
that
So, why isn’t there one? If the positive
actual lesBian, or even a fictional
sexuality for Dutch TV content creators
view doesn’t work, it’s back to the age-
one, on my TV screen. Out of the ten
is not an issue that requires special
old negative view and that is that the
Dutch out women you need to know
attention. LesBian characters will be
Netherlands are not so progressive and
(see end), only a couple are actually
there when the story calls for it but
liberal as they make themselves out
visible
until that time, there’s simply no need
to be. Equality in legislation doesn’t
to focus on them.
automatically constitute equality in
in
the
media
landscape;
Miljuschka Witzenhausen is still on the
one
might
argue
terrible soap opera ONM, Barbara Barend
presents
Dutch
culture. Maybe all content creators
soccer
are still afraid to stick their
program Eredivisie Live (“Premier
necks out and take a risk on
League Live”), Mirella van Markus
something that shouldn’t be a
is (luckily) still on our TV on
risk in the first place. I mean,
Tuesdays and Thursdays when
where is our The L Word?
she presents the talk show Helder (“Clear”) and she has just started
At the end of the day, I don’t
presenting a new show about
know why they aren’t there.
medical
Maybe the Dutch are tired of
breakthroughs,
called
Het academisch ziekenhuis (“The
repeating the standard lesBian
Academic Hospital”).
storylines (coming out, marriage,
In reality TV we recently had
to put a lesBian on the show if
pregnancy) and can’t find a way two lesBian candidates on X
they can’t use those stereotypes.
Factor, but unfortunately both
Maybe
were eliminated. Het Blok (“The
completely.
it’s
something
else
Block”), a Dutch game show in which several couples restore
Fact
remains,
a house to win a price, has a
for
liberal
Mirella van Markus
lesbian couple competing this year.
a
though,
country
like
that the
Netherlands, the TV landscape is
I’d agree with this explanation if
seriously lacking. I can only hope this
In fiction, the TV landscape is even
it wasn’t for the fact that the Dutch
changes
bleaker.
the
culture is currently turning against
of the problem can go a long way
regional soap Van Jonge Leu en Oale
homosexuality. There seems to be
towards better and more frequent
Groond (“About Young People and Old
an increase in hate crimes based on
representation.
Property”) and the fortunate ending of
sexuality and the focus of the news
the lesbian couple on ONM, there are
media is back on lesbian and bisexual
no fictional lesBians left.
women being depressed and suicidal.
With
the
demise
of
soon.
Perhaps
awareness
EurOut.org’s list of ten out Dutch women you need to know, can be found at: http://bit.ly/dutch-out-women
Storylines like the one on ONM only For a country that is supposed to
serve to reinforce stereotypes.
be so liberal and pro-gay, I’d say this summation is a little meager. So why is
With this shift in cultural focus, the
that? I don’t think there is one answer
one thing we could really need is a
that explains it all.
stable lesBian storyline somewhere, preferably on a show with a good
When looking at this from a positive
24
amount of viewers.
Further reading: More about ONM’s lesBian storyline, including recaps: http://bit.ly/eurout-onm More about Van Jonge Leu en Oale Groond: http://bit.ly/jonge-leu More about the Dutch study reporting about unhappy, unhealthy lesBians: http://bit.ly/dutch-study
Interview: Pam from House of the Muses Graphic Novels
If you are a lesBian, you like reading comics and you have never heard of Pam Harrison or her stellar comic book series House of the Muses, we have a treat for you! Exclusively for the eurOut magazine, we have arranged an interview with Pam, who will entertain you with a new episode of her original comic ‘Did You Know?’ every two weeks in the eurOut.org magazine! By: Anna McFaith
25
Interview: Pam from House of the Muses Graphic Novels
Could you introduce yourself
grandfather bought me my very first
Tanghal were penciling and inking the
to the readers?
comic book: the edition of Adventure
series. I held my breath as he squinted
Sure I can! I’m the creator, author, and
Comics #411 featuring Supergirl! I
at the page. “These pencils show a LOT
illustrator of House of the Muses, the
don’t know how many people can
of skill and control,” he said at last.
ground-breaking LGBT miniseries that
remember their very first comic, but
“Submit a portfolio to DC.”
illuminates the latter days of Sappho
I never forgot it. It was a sad little
of Lesbos for the first time ever in a
tale of the times about prejudice: a
The thing that kept my destiny at this
Teen+ format. Awarded the 2009 Prism
blind black child and an alien become
crossroads in my life from ever coming
Comics Queer Press Grant in March,
friends, only to have society turn on
to fruition was that I was with someone
2009, House of the Muses is a critically
the alien because it was “obviously” a
at the time who was very abusive and
acclaimed
examines
threat based on society’s perception of
destroyed a good many of my drawings.
universal themes deeply linked to the
aliens. Clearly, some things about our
So I never did get that portfolio to DC.
human condition. House of the Muses
society today haven’t changed much.
My utter disappointment made me
series
that
“...the rest of my art courses were free A’s”
PAM HARRISON
has gained an international online
Anyway, once Grandpa got me hooked,
give up drawing for awhile, and once I
following that crosses the barriers of
I collected every comic I could get my
had gotten that person out of my life, I
gender and sexual orientation, cutting
hands on.
never looked back for a long time. But
to the quick of significant questions that mystify the human heart.
I did get out of that relationship and It was fate, I guess, because I soon
into a fantastic new one with most of
discovered that I could draw. My
my comics intact.
I’m an award winning graphic nove-
mother has a trunk full of old drawings
list with more than twenty years
from those early days, and even
Did you go to Art school or did you
experience in the industry. I was born
though my mother and I don’t really
teach yourself?
in Hammond, Indiana and studied Fine
see eye to eye (incredibly, she’s never
Arts at Western Kentucky University,
come to terms with the fact that I’m
Both. I was doodling comics at a very
took a long hiatus, and finally achieved
gay but she reads all my books), she
early age, and through elementary and
an Associate Degree in Graphic Design
will never get rid of them.
high school I was fortunate to have the
at Sullivan University in 2006. The idea
same very supportive art teacher who
for House of the Muses was conceived
I think it was in 1987 that I met then-
seemed to see more talent in me than
during my college career (the first time
editor for DC Comics, Dick Giordano,
I did. By 10th grade she told me there
around) in the 1980s.
at a talent search at our local comic
was very little else she could teach me
store
about illustrating, so the rest of my art
What drew you to creating comics?
in
Bowling
Green,
Kentucky
where I was living at the time. I
courses were free A’s.
very tentatively offered a page I had Actually I was exposed to comics
penciled from Wonder Woman #1,
At
at a very early age in 1970, when my
back when George Perez and Romeo
from 1984-1987 I pursued a degree
26
Western
Kentucky
University
Interview: Pam from House of the Muses Graphic Novels
in Fine Arts where I did learn much
the look and feel of this series in pen
adventures, she would write the one
more about illustrating, especially with
and ink alone. House of the Muses
poem that the legendary Poetess of
live models. From 2005-2006 I went
is created on DAZ 3D Studio and
Mytilene would safeguard among her
back to college to complete a degree
rendered, with occasional PhotoShop
treasured works forever.
in Graphic Design, which gave me the
image editing. I finally got a current
skills for the tools I presently use.
copy of the 3D landscaping software,
Where did the inspiration come from
Cararra, which I intend to utilize shortly
for House of the Muses comic?
Have you ever considered becoming a
for some panoramic scenes.
writer?
I’m a jack of all languages, master You are best known for your comic,
of none. I studied languages through
Actually I am. I have certifications
House of the Muses, a comic I’ve been
high school, and all Western offered
in Basic and Advanced Novel Writing
in love with for a long time. Can you
was Greek and Latin…so my decision to
through Writers Digest Schools. In the
tell us a bit about it?
take Greek was a fateful one. I enjoyed
1980s I wrote House of the Muses in
translating Greek, wanted to find some
prose form almost to completion. It
A tale from ancient history, compiled
more subject matter to play with,
was a complex, unwieldy text, much
from the writings of a Greek poet
and found a book about Sappho in
the size of War and Peace, so to make
and her friend. But in “The House of
the WKU university library. The series
sure people would actually read it I
the Muses,” you’ll read it through the
is taken from the writings of Sappho
decided on the graphic novel form of
modern media we know as the Graphic
and
storytelling, and adapted the novel to the comic everyone knows now. Is it easier or harder to tell a story with images than with just words? I find it much easier. In prose, one has to convey in words what is going on in a scene, describing emotions, thoughts, action, and even the best writers can find this challenging at times. In the graphic medium, one puts the scene right in front of the reader, using the actual visuals of the characters interacting, with the addition of props, lighting and other details to provide a nuance that takes the reader into the time period. This, I think, is what has always made comics
Alkaios:
Lyra
Graeca.
(Edited
“In the graphic medium, one can put the scene right in front of the reader” PAM HARRISON
and graphic novels so popular. Novel. And the poet is Sappho, so
and translated by J. M. EDMONDS.
You have a very telling style of
it’s no surprise that passion is as
Loeb Classical Library, three volumes.
working. What program do you use for
omnipresent as the power politics of
London:
your work and why did you decide on
slave ownership and family intrigues.
York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1924.)
using this style?
House of the Muses: The Latter Days
Looking through the book I found that
of Sappho of Lesbos introduces us
the poet Alkaios also told his version of
As many have seen in House of the
to Mnasidika of Sparta, a girl with a
Sappho’s exiles. It fascinated me, so
Muses #3, I can actually illustrate quite
stolen destiny, and how she made her
I took it on as a translation project…
well, but I would never have achieved
journey to Lesbos. At the end of her
particularly the fragments. I found a
William
Heinemann;
New
27
Interview: Pam from House of the Muses Graphic Novels
mystery in the fragments. It was like
with Lesbians and Lesbian literature,
a Nancy Drew movie. I went on and
lesbians on the whole know very, very
on…and from that early pursuit came
little about her.
the premise of entwining two very
order House of the Muses? It’s now available worldwide. It’s available
in
ebook
at
Wowio.com.
different storylines and telling the story
I find this shocking and disappointing.
A number of major booksellers in
of Sappho as it actually happened, in a
Most who claim to be experts on Sappho
Europe carry House of the Muses in
completely different way.
have not translated a single scrap of
paperback on their websites, just go
her work, but stick with the fragments
to your favorite bookseller website
that have been passed down to us as
and search for it! The series is also
The House of the Muses is set in ancient Greece; what draws you to
available at Amazon.com worldwide:
Europe’s history?
Amazon.co.uk,
Amazon.fr,
Amazon.
de, Bol.com/nl. I have also seen I’ve always had a deep
it available at bookstores in
love for history. I know
Australia and India! For
the history of my own
785 Rupees it can be
family roots all the
yours!
way back to 1587, and my roots are in
England.
Besides
I
working
on House of the
know our son,
Muses,
whom
my
have agreed to
you
partner and I
do a comic for
raised, is the
the eurOut.org
20th generation
magazine
soldier in our
will be posted
family. My love in
school
World and
on the website
was
after a couple of
History the
that
weeks of delay.
Greeks
What do you have
contributed so much
in
to our present culture
store
for
our
readers?
it’s hard to ignore. My partner
is
half-German
I think in recent times
as well, so European history
there
is a part of my own history. Just
has
been
a
greater
need for all of us to know where
because I’m American doesn’t mean I
we’ve come from, as we make greater
have to deny my European roots. ;)
progress in LGBT rights and marriage though they were gospel. House of the
equality. Part of the success of House
Why should our readers run out and
Muses has been described in America
of the Muses, I think, comes from the
get a copy of the House of the Muses
as “An amazing, awesome complex
depth of research and presenting it in
comics?
storyline” and leading lesbian Curve
a way everyone can relate to. I’ve had
Magazine said in 2008, “This is a
lesbian readers tell me, “I didn’t know
The story of Sappho of Lesbos, for the
series NOT to be missed!” This series
that! How fascinating!”
first time in 2,500 years, is available in
is great entertainment for young teens
a format that is accessible to everyone.
and adults, consistently grabbing rave
Some
I have seen over the past three years
reviews, so listen to the experts. Read
importance of this journey: “He who
of creating this series that, for all
it.
controls the present, controls the past.
that Sappho is almost synonymous
Where can European readers buy or
He who controls the past, controls the
28
quotes
that
illustrate
the
Interview: Pam from House of the Muses Graphic Novels
future” - George Orwell
a richer experience for everyone. But
10th April, all day (passed at the time
“Whoso neglects learning in his youth,
I already have an impressive list of
of this writing) P.R.E.S.S., Arts Centre
Loses the past and is dead for the
European lesbians to feature, so I’m
Washington,
future.” –Euripides
excited about what’s to come.
April, all day Unicon 2010, University of
“Study the past if you would define the
Sunderland
and
24th
Hertfordshire. I will also be moderating
future.” –Confucius
Is there anything else you want to
a Polish queer comics panel -- the very
All quotes by famous men, for certain,
share with our readers?
first one -- in Poland via Skype. Prism
but it proves the point exactly: if you
Comics is thrilled that I am taking part
allow your history to be buried, then
I just finished with my most recent
in this, and they’ve asked me to write
you are at the mercy of those who
interview with Tall Tale Radio on 8 April,
up the experience as a lesbian pioneer
rewrite it. It is my hope to take us
2010, hosted by Tom Racine http://
in comics. The event will be taking
all on a fascinating journey into the
talltalefeatures.com
should
place 6th July till 13th July 2010 and
past and learn about what defines
be available to listeners in the coming
is hosted at Warsaw Hall, organized by
us. As an American, I won’t be as
week. I also have an upcoming feature
Comix Grrrlz and www.u-f-a.pl. 2010
learned on European history as some
at
is going to be an exciting year for me,
of my readers, so I will count on those
site that promotes profiles of up and
readers to interact with me, tell me
coming artists. Also, for fans in the
how they feel about this comic, and
UK, all five books of my series are on
suggest others they would like to see
display at We Are Words + Pictures
featured. This will make the process
events in England through April, 2010.
which
http://www.sketchmaven.com/
a
so try to keep up!
DidFamous You Know? Lesbians in European History
Sappho of Lesbos: Greece Sappho of Lesbos, born in Eressos, northern Lesbos around 612 B.C. is the patroness of all modern lesbians. She was the most celebrated poetess of her day with fiery, evocative poetry that stirs emotion in modern times as it did when first written. Sappho’s career was rocked by scandal in her early years when she was found to be part of a conspiracy to assassinate the tyrant Myrsilos. In her early 50s she founded a school for young girls, whom she was later accused of having relations with. Modern scholars conjecture Sappho may not have been a lesbian at all. The most thorough, factual account of Sappho’s life can be found at Pam Harrison’s illustrated graphic novel miniseries: http://houseofthemuses.com/
Pam Harrison is the creator of the award-winning historical fiction series House of the Muses. Suggest famous lesbians you would like to see featured and check out her series at http://houseofthemuses.com
29
Where Are We on TV? “Where Are We on TV?” lists what to look out for in Europe when it comes to TV series with a lesBian storyline or with lesBian characters, specific TV programs about lesbians and lesBian web series. Kerstin and Juliette from German soap “Marienhof”.
Belgium Thuis: Mon-Fri at 20:10 on één. Currently in its 15th season, this soap features a lesbian character called Ann, who is currently a single Mom.
Finland Kotikatu: Thu-Fri at 20:00 on YLE TV1. This popular Finnish show features Laura and Krisse, who recently got married to each other. Read more about this show at http://bit.ly/kotikatu.
The French Juliette was introduced
Lucia. Read more about it online at
to this soap a while ago, who falls in
http://bit.ly/panelak.
Salatut Elämät:
love and sleeps with regular character
Mon-Fri at 19:30 on MTV3.
Kerstin.
Spain
Finland’s most popular TV show can
feelings for her too, she also has a
Hospital Central:
be seen as the Finnish answer to the
boyfriend. She has currently chosen
Tuesdays on Telecinco.
Australian soap Neighbours. Characters
to be with neither her boyfriend or
Currently in its 18th season, this
Heli and Iiris have reconnected and are
Juliette, which could possibly lead to
medical drama features lesbian couple
now a couple on the show. Read more
Juliette’s departure from Marienhof.
Esther
about the lesBian storyline in this show at http://bit.ly/salatut.
Even
though
Kerstin
has
Ireland
and
Maca.
Unfortunately,
Spain’s most popular lesbians will leave the show at the end of this season. To
Growing up Gay:
find out more about the show, or to
April 19th at 21:35 on RTÉ One.
read our recaps, go to http://bit.ly/
Plus belle la vie:
A two part documentary where kids talk
hospital-central.
Mon-Fri at 20:10 on France3.
about what it is like for them growing
UK
France French
6th
up gay, what their peers’ attitudes
season) that features a lesbian couple:
soap
(currently
in
its
have been and what their parents were
Coronation Street:
Céline and Virginie.
like when they found out.
Mon, Thu & Fri at 19:30/20:30 on ITV.
Germany
Slovakia
Britain’s longest running soap has recently launched a lesbian storyline
Odsúdené:
between
Sundays at 18:50 on ARD Das Erste.
Tue & Thu at 21:15 on TV JOJ.
Sophie. Stay up-to-date with the most
This soap – which was originally based
Women’s prison drama with occasional
recent developments at http://bit.ly/
on the British soap Coronation Street
lesBian content. Read more about the
eurout-corrie.
– currently has lesbian character Tanja
show at http://bit.ly/odsudene.
Lindenstrasse:
the
teenagers
Sian
and
Doctors:
dating Steffi, who was just released Panelák:
Mon-Fri at 13:45 on BBC1.
Airs Mon-Fri at 20:15 on TV JOJ.
In this medical soap, regular character
Marienhof:
This popular Slovakian sitcom currently
Imogen recently came out as a les-
Mon-Fri at 18:25 on ARD Das Erste.
features lesbian couple Denisa and
bian.
from prison.
30
A List of Helpful LGBT Organizations per Country European
France
Lithuania
Slovakia
Egalite
Association de Médecins
Lithuanian Gay League
Altera
www.egalite-online.eu
Gais. www.medecins-gays.
www.lgl.lt/indexe.php
www.altera.sk
LGBT Network
com/femmes-entre-elles
www.lgbtnetwork.eu
SOS Homophobie
Malta
Slovenia
IGLYO
www.sos-homophobie.org
Malta Gay Rights Move-
DIH www.dih.si
ment
SkuC-LL
www.maltagayrights.net
www.ljudmila.org/lesbo
Moldova
Spain
GenderDoc-M
Federación
www.gay.md/rus
Lesbianas,
www.iglyo.com ILGA Europe
Georgia
www.ilga-europe.org
Inclusive Foundation www.inclusive-foundation.org
Austria
Estatal
Greece
(RKL) www.rklambda.at/e/
Greek Sapphites
index.htm
www.sapphogr.net
The Netherlands
www.felgtb.org
Greek Lesbian
COC Nederland
Confederación
www.lesbian.gr
www.coc.nl
de Lesbianas, Gays, Tran-
Outway
sexuales y Bisexuales
www.outway.nl
www.colegaweb.org
Belgium
Gays,
de
Rechtskomitee Lambda
sexuales
Çavaria www.cavaria.be Wel Jong Niet Hetero
Germany
www.weljongniethetero.be
Lesbian and Gay Fede-
y
Tran-
Bisexuales Española
ration in Germany
Norway
Sweden
Belarus
http://typo3.lsvd.
Norwegian National Asso-
Swedish Federation for
TEMA information center
de/229.0.html
ciation for Lesbian and
Lesbian,
Gay Liberation
and Transgender Rights
www.llh.no
www.rfsl.se
www.pride.by Hungary Bosnia and Herzegovina
Labrisz
Lesbian
Asso-
Queer Bosnia and Herze-
ciation www.labrisz.hu
govina. www.queer.ba/en Bulgaria Bulgarian
Gay
Organi-
Croatia
HomO Poland
www.homo.se
Iceland
phobia
Switzerland
Samtökin ‘78
http://world.kph.org.pl
Pink Cross
www.samtokin78.is
Lambda Warsaw
www.pinkcross.ch
www.lambdawarszawa.org
INFOBI
Ireland
www.infobi.net
Gay & Lesbian Equality
Portugal
Network www.glen.ie
ILGA Portugal
Turkey
www.ilga-portugal.pt
KAOS GL
Kontra www.kontra.hr/cms
Italy
Opus Gay
www.kaosgl.com
LORI
Arcigay
www.opusgay.org
LEGATO
www.lori.hr
www.arcigay.it
Czech Republic
Denmark
www.unilegato.org
GlobaLES
Romania
www.globa-les.com
ACCEPT
Ukraine
http://accept-romania.ro
Nash Mir
Gay and Lesbian League www.mujvztah.cz
Bisexual
Campaign Against Homo-
sation Gemini www.bgogemini.org/eng
Gay,
Kosovo
www.gay.org.ua
QESh
Russia
http://qesh.org
Krilija
United Kingdom
www.krilija.sp.ru
Stonewall
Danish National Association for Gays and Les-
Latvia
bians www.lbl.dk
Mozaika
Serbia
communities.org
www2.mozaika.lv
QueerBeograd
Queer Youth
www.queerbeograd.org
www.queeryouth.org.uk
Finland
http://sites.stonewall-
SETA www.seta.fi
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eur ut .org european.lesbian.news
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