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Before you bite my head off (or hit your delete key) let me just say this. We have some bloody amazing 'allies' in the straight world...Rob and the staff at The Roasted Cherry, to name a few. And I think it's fabulous that these days young queer people don't feel the need to have separate LGBT spaces...that they feel comfortable and accepted in their mixed groups. I'm very glad that the Ottawa of today is a much safer place for LGBT people than it was when I lived here in the 70's. I remember very vividly what it felt like to be verbally harassed daily as an 'out dyke'. I remember having my car vandalized by homophobic neighbourhood boys. I remember fighting with the straight women at the old Women's Centre because they didn't want to include 'lesbian issues' in the pamphlet for the International Women's Day March. Those were very challenging times! But it's 2007, 30 years later...this old dyke would like to be able to go to a gay or lesbian bar and feel safe. In the 'olden days', we used to have to worry about violence from straight men outside our bars...now, apparently, we have to worry about it inside the bars as well. Thank goodness for the Lesbian Information Xchange! At least at a LIX meeting, I know that every member there is a lesbian. LIX is not a community group attempting to meet the needs of the entire LGBT community. And our mission is not to educate or to advocate within the straight community. We are a network of, and for, lesbians...simple as that. This month we were privileged to have two five-minute infomercials. First up was Françoise Coupal, founder of Mosaic International, a private consulting firm offering innovative solutions to development issues. Mosaic's network is comprised of partners from Latin America, Africa and Asia. They work locally and internationally. The members of the Mosaic team believe that for sustainable development to occur local people must be central to the development effort. Mosaic views development as a process of collaborative problem-solving and reflection that empowers individuals to transform their environment. Françoise told us about the workshops being offered by Mosaic this summer in Ottawa: 1) Stakeholder Participation in Needs Assessment, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation; 2) Results-based Management, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology; and 3) Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation. For more information about Mosaic International, check out the web site at www.mosaic-net-intl.ca. Our second five-minute infomercial was presented by Barb Freeman and Maureen Cullingham. Their LIX infomercial was a prelude to 'Odd Girl Out: Lesbians in Pulp Fiction and Chatelaine Magazine', a joint presentation that they will be making on Thursday, June 28th at the Ottawa Public Library. Barb is a professor in Carleton's School of Journalism. She has researched the portrayal of lesbians in Chatelaine magazine from the 1960's until today. Maureen is the proud owner of one of the largest collections of lesbian pulp fiction in North America. Using covers of duplicate novels from her collection, Maureen has created two gorgeous collages that she brought with her for our viewing pleasure! Together, Barb and Maureen have developed a fascinating lecture that offers an intriguing look at our past and our present. The lecture on June 28th is free of charge and starts at 7:30 pm. at the OPL at 120 Metcalfe Street. The final tally is in from Taste For Life and Savana Cafe raised the most money in donations of any venue! This is pretty amazing considering the fact that Savana was the smallest restaurant participating! Their great fundraising success was due, in large part, to all the LIX Chicks who packed the place and who gave so generously in their donation envelopes. Congratulations Savana! And a huge thank you to all the LIX Chicks who participated in restaurants and cafes across the city! Click here for photos of our LIX chicks at Savana, photos graciously provided by Kerry - thank you Kerry! Well I can't end without mentioning the fact that several LIX Chicks have hit the big time! Laura King, famous lesbian mechanic, was featured on the cover of the May 17th issue of Capital Xtra...in a fabulously suggestive pose, draped over a stack of tires, socket wrench in hand! Is it hot in here or is it just me? Laura will be offering her course 'Under the Hood' for women again this fall. We will, of course, give you the 'hoods up' well in advance. And the current issue of Capital Xtra (June 7th) features an article by chef, Linda Forbrigger. The article, entitled 'Leave Your Meat Alone', includes lots of useful tips for barbequing everything from steak to salmon to fruit & vegetables. Accompanying the article is a gorgeous photo of Linda looking smokin' hot (pardon the pun). Linda is part of the team of chefs at The Old Mill in Wakefield. And last, but certainly not least, check out the Spring 2007 issue of The Voice for works by Joyce M., Diana Clare Douglas and Marida Waters. Congratulations to all of you fabulous gals! LIX Chicks rock!
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Upcoming
Events of Interest |
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The Lois Diaries is a collection of new work from artist Meaghan Haughian that explores female identity and relationships. La Petite Mort Gallery, 306 Cumberland Street. For more information check www.lapetitemortgallery.com.
Come and see lesbian, Diane Flacks, in her newest play, Bear With Me. The production is part of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival at the National Arts Centre Fourth Stage. Comedy-marvel and performer, Diane Flacks, takes you on an up-front-and-personal, hilarious and poignant journey in an exploration of the all-consuming rollercoaster that will leave you in stitches (not down there). From pregnancy to queer parenting and from conception to the real 'ring of fire', Bear With Me culminates in the love affair with her child and the search for self amidst the chaos. This stage adaptation of her book by the same name is a comic flight into the secret and insane world of motherhood. For more information about the festival, go to www.magneticnorthfestival.ca.
The Ottawa Fringe Festival is a forum that unites artists and audiences in a fun, exploratory environment. The guiding principles of the Fringe include unrestricted artistic expression, accessibility and community development. The Fringe encourages artists to explore and test boundaries and make bold choices in the creation of art. This year's festival includes a number of queer plays such as Balls; One Woman Show; The State of the Union; and Life, Love and the Pursuit of Harlequin. For tickets and locations go to www.ottawafringe.com.
Whatever your level from beginning/beginner to intermediate/advanced, there will be something for you. From Friday at 3pm to Sunday at 3pm, join the organizers at Camp Smitty situated on 30 acres of scenic beauty, forests and trails. The camp is nestled along the shore of Mink Lake. As well as the drumming, you can enjoy both swimming and canoeing. Lifeguards will be on duty at scheduled times during the weekend. For information and cost, visit http://www.drumcamps.ca/EOWDC.html.
The Women At Sea gals are heading to Alaska in May of 2008 aboard the Sapphire Princess. You are invited to join them at the CruiseShipCentre (17-1581 Greenbank Road in Barrhaven) for an Open House on June 16th at 10:30 am. where you'll be able to get information on rates, book your cabin and take advantage of special early booking offers from Princess Cruise Line. For more information please contact George Benoit at 1-866-313-3309. George has been handling all the booking arrangements for Women at Sea since they began "sailing" in 2006. 'For more information, go to www.outstuff.ca'
The Capital City Boyz Club and Capital Pride present a new night in Ottawa, Pride Disco at Heaven. The regular event will take place the last Sunday of every month 8:00 pm.-2:30 am. Starts April 29. DJs, drink specials and prizes. $5 cover. 400A Dalhousie. For more information, go to www.outottawa.com.
Divergence presents Muxes: Authentic, Intrepid, Seekers of Danger, a lively and surprising portrait of a group of homosexuals who defend their sexual diversity while preserving their identity as Zapotec Indians in the 'queer paradise' of Juchitán, Mexico. Muxes focuses on a dozen intrepid muxes who, since the mid-70s, have been more aggressive in ensuring that they are a visible part of the daily life of the town rather than an accepted one. In a country where machismo prevails, this is all the more difficult for those that fall in-between. Doors open at 7:00 pm.; movie at 7:30 pm. at Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street. Free admission, $5 suggested donation.
The GLBT Grad Students’ Group invites you for a fascinating look at the recent history of lesbian life over the last 50 years, as seen through pulp fiction novels and one of Canada’s best known women’s magazines, Chatelaine. Maureen Cullingham has been collecting paperback fiction about lesbians for many years and her extensive collection dates back to the 1950s. She has become personal friends with one of the icons of lesbian writing, “Ann Aldridge,” an experience she will share with you. Barbara Freeman writes about women’s history through the eyes of the news media, and is planning a book on lesbians. Starting from the 1960's, she will open Chatelaine’s closet doors and show you its real-life stories about butches and femmes, lesbian activists and the “no logo” girls. Join Maureen and Barb at 7:30 pm. at the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street, as they show you what they have collected on their bookshelves, and provide an intriguing look at our past and our present. Admission is free of charge.
Meetings are held at The Roasted Cherry at 93 O'Connor Street at the corner of Slater on from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. You don't have to be self-employed and/or promoting a business to attend...at least half of the gals come to check out lesbian businesses and the socialize. If you have any interest in presenting a five-minute infomercial about your business at one of the coffee meetings, please contact us at info@girlswanttoknow.com.
The Ottawa Children's Aid Society is actively recruiting adoptive and foster parents in the LGBT community. They hold two information sessions a month. The first Thursday of every month is for LGBT people interested in adoption. The last Thursday of the month is for those interested in fostering. Both sessions take place at the CAS offices, 1602 Telesat Court, Gloucester from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to Anik at (613) 747-7800 x2857.
The festival returns! A week of camping and music with thousands of women from across North America. For full details on musical line-up and cost go to www.michfest.com.
Madawaska Golf Club in Arnprior. Shotgun start at 1:00 pm. Registration is now open. Register early to reserve your spot. The deadline for registration is August 1st. To register and/or to find out more about this tournament and the OOGG, go to www.outgolfinggroup.com.
Ottawa's Queer Theatre company, Toto Too, performs Theatrelife at Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue. For more info go to www.tototoo.ca.
The Ron Kolbus Centre at Lakeside Gardens. Doors open at 9:00 pm. and the dancing continues until 1:00 am. This year we are giving part of the proceeds to the Ivan E. Coyote Project to help bring Ivan to Ottawa as writer-in-residence at Carleton University. The rest of the proceeds will go to the LIX 'kitty' (operating budget) to ensure that the Steering Committee members (and one very generous member) will no longer have to front all the expenses for LIX events! Tickets will be available at the August LIX coffee meeting on August 7th and at After Stonewall, mother tongue books, Wilde's and Venus Envy starting on August 10th. Advance tickets are $15; $20 for tickets at the door. Please keep in mind that this dance sells out every year so if you want to guarantee yourself admission, buy your tickets in advance.
The "Keep it Simple" group of Al-Anon meets every Sunday evening at 7:30 pm. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre on Elgin Street. Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them. If you fall into this category and are looking for a safe GLBTQ space to get help and support, this meeting is for you. For more information call (613) 860-3431 or go to the web site at www.al-anon.alateen.on.ca.
"The Voice" is an Ottawa-based women's literary fundraising magazine...that will donate its proceeds back into various events and charities in the community. The creators are looking for interested subscribers as well as women who wish to submit writing, photography or artwork for upcoming issues. The yearly subscription rate is $18. Find details on advertising, sponsorship, subscriptions, submitting work and more at: www.mwdesign.ca/TheVoice.
takes place on the first Sunday of each month at the Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive, Ottawa at 7:00 pm. Integrity Ottawa is a gathering of gay men, lesbians and straight friends living in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. They are interested in supporting the lives of LGBTTQ people in the Anglican Church of Canada and abroad in the wider Anglican Communion. For more information, check out: www.ottawa.integritycanada.org.
Venus Envy regularly holds workshops of interest to women. To see what's happening, check out the web site at www.venusenvy.ca. Venus Envy is located at 320 Lisgar Street. As always, we encourage you to send us news of events and/or workshops that you are involved in so we can add the information to our Upcoming Events of Interest section of this monthly news update. We need to know the who's, what's, where's as well as cost, where tickets are available, if pre-registration is required, and if it's a fundraiser, what organization you're raising funds for. If the organization has a web site, that web address would be helpful. And we'd love to see more of your entries in the Special Interest Groups and Activities section of this e-news. Networking works...for business and pleasure! Send your news and ideas for interest groups to me at info@girlswanttoknow.com. We need your information by the end of the month in order to guarantee inclusion in the following month's issue. So...there you go! For more information about the LIX network, feel free to call Kerry at (613) 237-7133 or Marie at (613) 231-4347. You can also send us an email at info@girlswanttoknow.com or chat with one of the four of us (Kerry, Lucy, Wendy or Marie) at a coffee meeting. And please check out the LIX web site at www.girlswanttoknow.com. Cheers, |
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And what a perfect segue into the June coffee meeting. This month we planned to have a LIX BBQ and wouldn't you know it - it poured rain that day! But that didn't stop Rob, and the crew at The Roasted Cherry. He fired up the barbeque in the parking lot next to the back door and stood, umbrella in hand, cooking hamburgers, sausages and veggie burgers. The tasty treats were brought into the cafe where a large crowd of LIX members enjoyed a feeding frenzy! The staff had also prepared a beautiful salad to accompany the main course. Just when we all thought we were full to the brim, out came the brownies and apple squares. Thank you Rob and staff for a fabulous indoor BBQ! Now there's a group of straight folks who can be my 'allies' anytime! 
Lesbian
Information Xchange community-based, not-for-profit network of lesbians exchanging information |