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Table of Contents

Herland Voice April 2009

Herland gets a Face Lift

On January 31st the Herland Board had a planning meeting for the year, and several committees have been formed to address the problems identified by board members.

A committee to redecorate the inside of the Herland library is hard at work, having completed the painting of 3 rooms. The new colors are wonderful, thanks to Kara, Andy, Margy and Deborah.

They will tackle the job of moving books, replacing sagging shelving, adding light fixtures, and replacing uncomfortable seating in the near future… and they need your help!! Anyone with library experience who is willing to help move the books safely, and in order, to and from the shelves, please contact Herland!

The committee will be listing their selections on certain store gift registries, for easy shopping in and out of state. When you have time, drop by on a Saturday and give us your feedback on what has been done, what needs to be done, and what you can do to help!

A volunteer committee has also been formed to identify Herland’s needs, and recruit new volunteers. Some that have been ongoing are: staffing the bookstore on Saturdays, mowing the yard, clearing tree and shrub limbs, and other general maintenance. These tasks don’t sound like much fun, but working as a group we manage to make them fun. Other volunteers really do have fun, decorating for fund raisers and organizing games for the Retreats!

You are the reason that Herland exists, and your needs and concerns matter. Let us hear from you!

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review

I recently read the article “Lesbian Nation, when gay women took to the road” by Ariel Levy in the March 2, 2009 issue of “The New Yorker” magazine.

She writes, “The lesbian separatists of a generation ago created a shadow society devoted to living in an alternate, penisless reality ….There were outposts of Women’s Land all over the United States and Canada…men, and even male children were banned from Women’s Land (and they often spelled it “wimmin” or “womyn,” in an attempt to keep men out of their words as well as their worlds).”

Levy goes on to tell about the Van Dykes, who went around the country as “van–driving vegans who shaved their heads…and lived on the highways only stopping on Women’s Land. Some of the founders of the Van Dykes wrote a recruitment song, to the tune of “Mr. Sandman”:

Would–be Van Dykes
Bring us your dreams
Make them the clearest that they’ve ever been
Give us a sign, like nickels and dollars
And tell us that it’s just a matter of hours
Till we find our
Land in the sun
With killer dykes there, all having real fun
Plantin’ grains and hoeing beans
Please turn on and cook up some schemes!

Given that Herland ascribes to many of the dreams of the Van Dykes, even using the word “womyn” on the masthead of this newsletter, and that our retreats maintain the safe haven of the Women’s Land of the late 1970’s, does that mean we are out of touch, or does that mean that we have been in touch with a wonderful dream for 25 years? I think it is the latter!

Jeanne Flanigan

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news briefs

Research debunks myth of gay, lesbian elite

LGBT people aren’t necessarily “affluent”–lesbian couples have a greater chance of living in poverty than married, straight couples, and the children of gay and lesbian parents are twice as likely to be poor as their peers in families with married, straight parents, a groundbreaking study from UCLA’s Williams Institute has found.

A study examining wealth and poverty in LGBT people sheds light on the economic challenges facing this community, and could prove helpful in the formulation of LGBT political strategy, according to Dr. Gary Gates, a co–author of the report. “LGBT political involvement in ‘mainstream’ policy initiatives may help to strengthen ties to a wide range of diverse organizations and individuals,” Gates writes.

(sources: Gay & Lesbian Leadership SmartBrief.com: USA Today, Washington Blade, and The Bilerico Project)

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U.S. signs on to United Nations gay–rights declaration

The Obama Administration on Wednesday (March 18) announced its formal endorsement of a United Nations declaration calling on member nations to put an end to the criminalization of homosexuality. In joining the 66 other countries that support the motion, the U.S. reversed the stance held under then–President George W. Bush. (AP)

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Victory Fund 9th annual champagne brunch April 19

The Victory Fund Brunch is a spring tradition. Celebrate openly LGBT political leaders and help the Victory Fund elect more of them in 2009. (The Victory Fund has supported Rep. Al McAffrey and others) The Brunch at the Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C., will feature Rep. Jared Polis of Colorado, the first openly gay man ever to be elected to congress as a freshman. We’ll also welcome Rep. Kendrick Meek of Florida and Speaker Christine Quinn of the New York City Council. For information about how you can get tickets, or be an event sponsor, call 202–842–7301

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Mister US of A Male Illusionist 2009 Crowned in Oklahoma

March 12 to 15th marked the 25th anniversary of the Mister US of A pageant for Male Illusionist 2009, at Angles Club in OKC. Thirty–two contestants from 28 states competed in Talent, Creative Eveningwear, and Interview in front of a packed audience. Seven Judges made their choices of the 15 finalists on Sunday night, and selected 5 national winners. Contestants entertained with elaborate props, groups of dancers, and unique costumes.

The winners are: Richard Cranium, Indiana, Mister US of A M.I. 2009; Owen McCord, First Alternate; Amedeus Karmanii York, Texas, Second Alternate; Luke Mihway, Arizona, Third Alternate; and Justin, Fourth Alternate. For more information on the competition, contestants, and photos of the pageant, go to www.misterusofami.org or www.myspace.com/misterusofami.

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Sage/AARP Conference

In 2008 SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) and AARP (American Assoc. for Retired People) stepped onto the national stage together through AARP’s sponsorship of SAGE’s Fourth National Conference on LGBT Aging. This partnership, developed through a series of invigorating inter–agency discussions, marks an important moment in SAGE’s national advocacy efforts as the leading voice addressing the issues affecting LGBT older adults.

Consistent with the Conference’s theme, “It’s About Time: LGBT Aging in a Changing World,” SAGE stands ready to leverage its three decades of experience to provide skilled, reality–based assistance for all efforts to transform this country’s aging policies to encompass the needs, interests, and contributions of our nation’s older LGBT adults.

Nearly 600 people attended, where ideas, advocacy and research about LGBT aging were shared and expounded upon. Presenters and participants came from as far away as Australia and London, and from all over the USA.

Most importantly, the conference brought together professionals in the field with older LGBT people themselves.

Over and over, presenters emphasized the need to develop and enforce policies that outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression or identity; support important innovations that effectively address the needs of LGBT older adults; and provide relevant training, data collection and research that includes the LGBT community.

AARP will sponsor a “Diversity and Aging” conference this June in cooperation with SAGE. For more information go to www.sageusa.org

(exerpted from Winter 2009 “SAGE Matters” newsletter)

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Herland Spring Retreat

Spring 2009 Retreat Registration

Roman Nose State Park
Watonga, OK
May 15–17, 2009

Are you ready for a weekend full of relaxation, good friends, good music, good food, and lots of fun? Well you’re in luck! The Herland Spring Retreat will be at Roman Nose State Park (near Watonga), Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17.

For those of you that have never been to a Herland retreat, now is the time to give it a try! Whether you come solo or with friends, are a certified camper or city grrrl, or come from near or far, it’s a perfect, affordable opportunity to meet new friends, catch up with old friends, play board games and sports, explore nature, learn something new at a workshop, or simply relax in an incredibly supportive environment.

For this retreat, on Friday night, consider joining us for the Meet and Greet. We had a blast last time, and Kara has been busy organizing more fun for this retreat. On Saturday, Jeanne will be leading us in more of the now famous, Bra Games. Everyone that was there last fall, knows just how much fun this was! Also on Saturday, our Bartlesville & Tulsa friends will be leading a Salsa Dancing Workshop! In addition to all this, we’ll have the Open Mic for you to showcase any talent you’d like to share, and the Saturday evening Potluck Supper is a perfect opportunity to show off your culinary skills. On Saturday night, we’re in for a treat, as Oklahoma City’s own TARA HENRY will be performing the Concert! Tara has an incredible spirit that will have you rockin’, rollin’, and singin’ the blues! After the concert, there is always singing and story telling around the campfire. This is only a slight glimpse of what the retreats are all about and what all there is to do.

If you have a hobby you’d like to share with other awesome women, or have an idea for a workshop, email Sannie at SAHatwork@aol.com and we’ll get it planned. Be creative with this – anything goes!

The Herland Retreat is whatever we make it. Let’s make it great!

If you’d like to register now, just mail back the registration form with your check. A retreat packet (including a map) will be mailed back to you. There will be more information and another registration form in next month’s Voice; however, the time between when you receive the next Voice and the registration deadline is close. Do yourself a favor, and register now, while you’re thinking about it!

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upcoming events

APRIL EVENTS

Saturdays from 1–5
HSR open for reading, meeting & greeting

Saturday the 11th at 5:30:
HSR Supper Club at Lin’s Chinese Restaurant, 6300 SW 3rd St, Oklahoma City (near Reno & MacArthur)

Sunday the 19th at 4 pm:
HSR Board meeting, everyone welcome

Wednesday the 22nd at 5:30 pm:
fold the “Voice” for mailing

Saturday the 25th at 7 pm:
Women’s Scrabble & Game Club, games and snacks provided

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community events

Second Friday of the month:
POW (Professional Okla. Women) at Partner’s 2805 NW 36th St., Music and snacks from 6–9 $5 entry

Friday April 3 at 7 pm:
Mary and Louise at Full Circle Book Store In 50 Penn Place Mall, NW 50th and Penn

April 3–5:
Spring Diversity Weekend in Eureka Springs, Arkansas Iris is performing for their 10th year at Chelsea’s Contact Iris at: iristheband@yahoo.com

Tuesday April 7 at 7 pm:
PFLAG–OKC Church of the Open Arms, 3131 N Penn, 525–9555

Thursday April 9 at 7 pm:
PFLAG–Norman St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church, 1801 W Brooks, 360–4497

Monday April 13 at 6:30 pm:
OGLPC general meeting, Neighborhood Alliance

Tuesday April 14 at 8 pm:
Louise and Mary at Galileo’s on the Paseo

Thursday April 16 at 5:30 pm:
Group Tour with Church of the Open Arms, of the “Harlem Renaissance” exhibit at the OKC Museum of Art

Saturday April 18 from 9–5:
Cimarron Foundation Leadership Conference Downtown Library, $20 admission includes lunch

Sunday April 19 from 3–5 pm:
Cathedral of Hope Health Fair First Unitarian Church Fellowship Hall, NW 11th and Walker

Monday April 20 at 6 pm:
The Equality Coalition of OKC general meeting (LGBT community center organizers) at Church of the Open Arms

June 27–28:
OKC Pride Parade and Festival, for details Go to www.okcpride.org

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arts events

Friday April 3 from 6–10 pm:
First Friday on the Paseo, art gallery openings

April 3–5 from 9 am–7 pm:
Norman Medieval Fair, Reaves Park

Friday April 10 from 7–10 pm:
Norman Art Walk, art gallery openings

April 21–26 from 9 am–7 pm:
OKC Festival of the Arts, downtown

August 4–9:
Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival: www.michfest.com

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MAY EVENTS

Saturday the 9th at 5:30:
HSR Supper Club at Spaghetti Warehouse in Bricktown

Friday the 15th to Sunday the 17th:
Herland Spring Retreat at Roman Nose State Park

Saturday the 16th:
HSR Board meeting, time TBA, at the Retreat

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JUNE EVENTS

Saturday the 13th at 5:30:
HSR Supper Club, in Norman At Sandalwood & Sage, hosted by owners Natasha Rice and Deb Clark. Includes concert by local musicians

Saturday the 20th at 4 pm:
HSR Board meeting

Saturday the 27th at 5:30 pm:
Annual Herland Pride Picnic

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OU Sooner Women‘s Softball April 2009

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OSU Cowgirls Softball April 2009

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website of the month

www.sageusa.org

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Herland Sister Resources, Inc.