eurOut - The Magazine 1

europea n .l esb i a n .news

M ay 1 s t , 2010

eur ut .or g t

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E x c l u s i v e

P a m f r o m

H o u s e

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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

31

eur ut .org european.lesbian.news

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