Not for Girls, For Dykes!

I'm over in Manchester, England attending Gay Pride. You'll be able to read all about my trip in an upcoming issue of Curve magazine.

I stepped into a shop, looking for fish & chips and saw this candy bar displayed on the counter. It reads, "Yorkie. It's not for Girls." So, of course, you know Dipstick had to buy one and bite right in.

Does anyone know the story behind this bar?

Salmon Fishing

Patty and I played hooky and went salmon fishing yesterday for the first time. It was a hot day on English Bay and after the sunrise, we bathed in the sun while our poles fished. (They drag behind the boat in holders--it's the lazy man's way to fish?).

But the fish were not havin' it.

Apparently, a pod of orcas had come into the bay earlier in the week and scared them. We did catch two fish, who didn't know any better (too young and naive). Poor little things.

Despite not catching dinner, it was a great way to spend the warm day! Thanks Chris!

For All You Dog Lovers Out There

We all know dykes love their animals. Click on this link to have a good laugh this morning. It's a clip from a local Vancouver TV show for two dogs who need adopting.

Note to potential adopters: they need a little training...

If you have time, watch the whole show.

http://www.globaltvbc.com/video/index.html?releasePID=AnC3WB33OyCpZmR9

You Are Beautiful

I heard about this from our friend, fellow Curve photographer, Kina Williams. The idea behind Operation Beautiful is that you post an encouraging note for other women to find. When I heard about it, I decided to post a note near the scale at my gym.

It's now been over a month and the little post it note is still there. It made me smile to see it still there. I hope all the women stepping on the scale feel the same way.

Here's a little music video the girls from Operation Beautiful put together:

Butch Voices

What is a butch? Even though I call myself one, I sometimes have a hard time defining the word. Sure, there are stereotypes, and certainly, I like to play around with those, but I don't usually identify with them. For example, I don't really work on my own car.

I've been trying to figure out a way to define 'butch' without the word masculine. It seems hard to do.

Thinking about these things is just one of the reasons I'm bummed that I'm going to miss the first ever Butch Voices conference.

I just can't make it to Oakland to attend. But if there's anyway you can, you should!

And it's not just for butches. People all across the gender spectrum are welcome to attend.

Check out some of the people that are going to be there: One of my favorite butch writers, Ivan E. Coyote. Filmmaker Cheryl Dunye and S. Bear Bergman. There's even an event hosted by our other favorite Curve advice columnist Fairy Butch.

Go! And then write and tell me all about it. Tell me if you head any definitions of "butch" that ring true for you.

Our Latest Column in Curve

Our most recent column hit newstands this week. You can

click on the pictures below if you'd like a sneak peek.

Vancouver Pride 2009

I had a great time recently "gaying" it up in Vancouver's West End for Vancouver BC's Gay Pride Celebration. I put a little video together of the highlights...

What is a Lipstick Lesbian?

According to Cracked.com (Self-Proclaimed America's Only Humor + Video Site), "Lipstick lesbians are the hardest to detect. They are usually just straight girls who fake being a lesbian because they think it helps the environment or something. Most women are lipstick lesbians."

See for yourself: http://www.cracked.com/funny-874-lesbians/

Oh yeah, and notice who's in the third photograph and the bit about lipsticks. The Executive Editor at Curve, our friend Diane Anderson-Minshall, sent this to me this morning. It made her smile, she said.

It was taken a couple years ago at San Francisco Pride at the Curve booth because I remember wearing that dress and hat. Who knows who took it; I don't remember meeting these girls either.

Please Do Not...

Tiger and I were on a camping trip last week. When you're camping and you have to go, you either do it in the woods or in a pit toilet. You get used to it.

Pit toilets are pretty nasty and they stink. Which is why I just can't understand why someone would spend the time to carve in one. What is even more baffling is that people carve out love messages. Really, is this the place you want your love memorialized? Crazy!

Lipstick & Dipstick Show :: Pining in Portland

Check out our latest webisode on www.curvemag.com or watch it here. Pass it along to your friends!

L & D Show :: Pining in Portland
Uploaded by LipstickDipstickShow. - Explore lifestyle, fashion, and DIY videos.

Good Music at Mississippi Pizza This Wednesday

Hi Ya'll

My super-fly friend Christine Havrilla will be rocking out Mississippi Pizza on Wednesday. Hop on your bikes and head over to Mississippi to catch the show!

DETAILS
Mississippi Pizza + Pub (3552 N. Mississippi, Portland, OR

Wedensday, August 5th

6pm

Mississippi Website

Paying Homage to a Murdered Lesbian :: Teresa Butz

We get the Seattle news up here in Vancouver, BC and I have recently been totally moved by the story of Teresa Butz, a lesbian who was murdered in her home trying to defend her and her girlfriend against a vicious intruder, who had broken into their home and raped them both. The details are becoming clearer and clearer about what happened that early morning and I won't print them here (because they're too upsetting). If you think you can handle it, go here.

Teresa and her partner had a commitment ceremony planned for September and were going to celebrate Teresa's 40th birthday in Spain in October.

I don't know if the story got national attention or not, but it got extensive regional coverage before and after they caught the suspect (may he burn in hell forever). Teresa's last words on the street to neighbors: "He [the intruder] told us
if we did what he asked us to do he wouldn't hurt us. He lied, he lied."

I didn't know Teresa or anyone in their circle of friends, but I wanted to pay tribute to her here because I'm so devastated by this story. Doesn't she look like a friend you'd have? Someone you'd see at Pride or play softball against?

It's just so heartbreaking and an important reminder amidst the summer heat that there are very bad people who are looking for open windows to climb through.

May Teresa rest in peace and may her partner find comfort and healing.

Photo below is from a vigil neighbors and community members organized in their South Park Seattle neighborhood. Of Teresa, they said she will be remembered for her piercing eyes, remarkable laugh and cheerful outlook on life, and, no doubt, for the way she sacrificed herself to save the love of her life.

Our Latest Column

In case you don't subscribe to Curve (you should, shame on you), here is our latest column in the August Issue.