California Gay Marriage Licenses will be available on June 17th

June 17th will be the day that California County Clerks can start issuing marriage license to gay & lesbian couples. The guidelines, which were emailed from the chief of California's office of vital records to the state's 58 county clerks, included copies of the new marriage forms, which now include lines for "Party A" and "Party B," instead of bride and groom. These new forms also contain a change to accommodate same-sex couples who already have registered as domestic partners

Now the only thing keeping California from issuing gay marriage licenses is a stay request from opponents of gay marriage. These anti gay marriage groups, which include the Proposition 22 Legal Defense Fund and the Alliance Defense Fund, have asked the court to stay its decision until after the November election, when voters will likely be deciding on a ballot initiative that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Passage of the initiative would overrule the Supreme Court.

The California court has until the end of the day on June 16th to rule on the stay request. Lawyers involved in the marriage cases have said that it is possible for the court to request an extra 60 days to consider the stay, if they feel it is necessary.

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera submitted a brief on Wednesday urging the court to refuse the request of a stay. "To deny this fundamental constitutional right to same-sex couples based on speculation about what might happen in November would not merely be inappropriate, it would be inhumane," Herrera's wrote in his brief.

A poll released on Wednesday found that for the first time about half of California voters would support same-sex marriage.

The Field Poll, which surveyed 1,052 registered voters and conducted over the phone from May 17 to May 26, found that 51 percent of respondents would vote for legalizing same-sex marriage and 42 percent opposed it. In 2006, a similar poll found that 44 percent supported same-sex marriage while 50 percent objected to it; in 1977, the first year Field posted the question to California voters, only 28 percent were in favor.

Governor Schwarzenegger's Poll on Same Sex Marriage

The office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is polling reaction to the California Supreme Court decision overturning the ban on gay marriage. Most of the response they are getting is in OPPOSITION to the court action.

Your support is extremely important at this juncture, so please pick up the phone and call today. There is not a limit on the amount of times you can call, so please keep calling and voting.

To vote in support of the California Supreme Court's decision on same sex marriage:

1. call 916-445-2841
2. press 1 (for English) or 2 (for Spanish)
3. press 5 (for hot issue topics)
4. press 1 (same sex marriage)
5. press 1 (for support)

Please pass this information on to anyone you think might want to help support gay marriage.

Anyone heard of Fannius III ???

So the new "buzz" in the lesbian entertainment community appears to be Los Angeles musician Fannius III (AKA Fan 3). Her music has been described as a cross between Alternative, Rockabilly & Rap. Here is her new video for Girlfriend (I can), which was filmed at the 2008 Dinah Shore weekend. Let me know what you think...

A Night of Elegance: The Prom You Never Had

Did you miss your High School Prom because you couldn’t bring your girlfriend? Or perhaps you went to your prom, but not with the person you wanted to? Well here is your chance to go to Prom with whomever you want.

Sparkle Production is putting on their first annual adult prom, A Night of Elegance: The Prom You Never Had. This event is a fundraiser for Positive Images, a non-profit group that provides support and advocacy to Sonoma County's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersexed youth and young adults, and educates the greater community.

The evening’s events will include dancing to the sounds of DJ MoniKa, official prom photos, raffle prizes a no-host bar and hors d'oeuvres. This event is for adults 21 and over, and straight allies are welcome!

When: Saturday, May 31st, 7 pm - Midnight

Where: St. Rose Hall, 320 10th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

How: For more information or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.posimagesprom.org/

Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard Break Up

Sad news on the lesbian entertainment front. Two-time Academy Award-winner Jodie Foster and her long-term partner, movie producer Cydney Bernard, have reportedly broken up.

Their alleged split comes just months after Foster's acceptance speech at a Los Angeles film gala in December where she first outwardly spoke about her partner, calling her: "My beautiful Cydney, who sticks with me through the rotten and the bliss."

Jodie Foster and Cydney Bernard began dating in 1993 during the filming of the movie Sommersby and have worn matching Tiffany eternity rings on their wedding fingers for many years.

Cydney was Jodie's birthing partner through both her pregnancies and has helped raise her two sons, Charlie, 9, and Kit, 6, from birth.

A source told the National Enquirer "Jodie breaking up with Cydney is shocking. She and Cydney have been together for so many years and have two children together, the potential fallout and legal wrangling from this split could be monumental."

"Shallow Breast Guy" Charity Auction

If you have ever read any of Paige Braddock's Jane's World books, then you're probably familiar with the character "Shallow Breast Guy," who is actually cartoonist Stephan Pastis, author of Pearls Before Swine.

Stephan, who happens to be a friend and coworker of Paiges, graced us with his presence at the Jane's World Volume 8 book release party earlier this month, donning a t-shirt that read, "Shallow Breast Guy."

This T-shirt, which Paige Braddock made especially for this event, was autographed by Stephan and is now up for auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to the Redwood Empire Food Bank.

This auction is for a great cause, so click here to check it out!

Calling all lesbian Couples who have been together for 5+ years

Felice Newman, author of The Whole Lesbian Sex Book, is looking for lesbian couples who would be interested in helping her with research for her new book, here are the details from Felice:

• Have you been together for 5+ years?
• Do you enjoy a satisfying sex life?
• I would like to hear from you: What makes your sexual relationship work?

Will you help me research a new sex guide for lesbian couples?

I am conducting confidential interviews (via telephone) with couples who enjoy a satisfying sexual relationship. I am interested in exploring the ways we grow our sexual partnerships.

I want to know what makes your sexual relationship work. How do you sustain erotic interest over the years? How do you face the sexual challenges that inevitably arise in a long-term relationship? How has your coupled sexuality evolved? How does your partnership support your sexual growth and pleasure? In short, what are the payoffs of an ongoing sexual relationship?

I want to hear from couples who have been together 5+ years, and who feel their sexual relationship "works," however you would define that. (Even if you wouldn't say you have the perfect sex life, if you are generally fulfilled in your sexual relationship, I want to hear from you.)

The Whole Lesbian Sex Book has informed, supported, and entertained many thousands of women in the nearly 10 years since it was published. Now I'm turning my attention to couples. As a somatic coach and sex educator, I help many couples who are quite unsatisfied with their sex lives. I'm doing this research so that I can better help them, and, of course, the many couples who will read the book.

There will be a reciprocal aspect to these interviews. In our telephone conversation, you'll have an opportunity to ask me questions, too.

All interviews will be strictly confidential, and interviewees will be quoted anonymously in my book.

If you'd like to participate, please if you'd like to participate, please paste the form below into an email, complete it, and send it to me:

felice@felicenewman.com
Thanks so much!

Best wishes,
Felice Newman
http://www.felicenewman.com/

Whether you identify as lesbian, bisexual, or queer; butch, femme or androgynous; polyamorous, monogamous; adventurous, sensual, kinky; boi, MTF, butch-in-transition, transmen, partner of an FTMs and MTFs, intersex, traditionally gendered or transgendered; sexually experienced or new to sexual exploration, I want to hear from you!

FELICE NEWMAN'S LESBIAN COUPLES RESEARCH PROJECT.
Please complete and send to: felice@felicenewman.com

NAMES (Age)
1._______________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________

How long have you been a couple?

What is the best thing about your sexual relationship?

What has been the greatest challenge to your sexual relationship?

What interests you about participating in this research?

What city/state do you live in?

Phone #:

Best time(s) to schedule a conversation?

Answers to the When, How and Where Questions about Gay Marriage in California

Now that some of the excitement over the California Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage has died down a little, I have noticed that people are starting to ask some questions, mainly, "When can my partner and I get married?" The EQCA website has created a list of FAQ (posted below) specifically for same sex couples in California who want to get married. These FAQ's can not only answer the "when" question, but many other relevant gay marriage issues as well. It is definitely worth a read...

Can same-sex couples marry in California?
Yes. On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that barring same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. Beginning as soon as June 16, same-sex couples will be able to marry in California.

Can the court’s decision be appealed?
No. The California Supreme Court has the final say in cases brought under the California Constitution, like this case, and there can be no more appeals.

Does the court’s decision affect the rights of heterosexual couples?
No. The rights of heterosexual couples to marry and the rights and responsibilities of those who are married remain exactly the same. The decision simply ensures equality and fairness for same-sex couples.

Does this ruling require religious groups or clergy members to marry same-sex couples?
No. The court’s decision said the government may not discriminate against same-sex couples by barring them from civil marriage – a legal institution established and regulated by the government. Religious groups and clergy members remain free to recognize or refuse to recognize marriages within their religion as each sees fit. While some faiths do not permit same-sex couples to marry within that faith, a growing number do. As a result of the court’s decisions, same-sex couples may choose to be married by a clergy person in a welcoming community of faith or by a civil servant such as a judge or authorized deputy.

Should we get married now?
Marriage is a serious legal and personal commitment that should not be entered into lightly. Before getting married, couples should educate themselves about the legal consequences of marriage, in addition to other considerations.

Same-sex couples also face some additional considerations that heterosexual couples do not face, due to discrimination by the federal government as well as by a number of states. Deciding whether to marry is an important decision for everyone, gay or straight, but lesbian and gay couples have to be prepared for and be willing to take on those additional challenges.

A period of legal uncertainty is likely. For example, if you marry in California, you cannot be certain whether your marriage will be respected if you live in, travel to, or move to a state that has laws or constitutional amendments limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.

In addition, current federal law prohibits the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples for purposes of the many federal rights and benefits given to married heterosexual couples, such as the right to file joint federal income taxes and the right to social security benefits as a surviving spouse. Being excluded from these federal protections, and often state protections as well, is a serious hardship and can cause significant legal problems.

Important Note: Bi national couples in which one member does not have permanent legal resident status in this country and anyone serving in the U.S. military should consult with an attorney with expertise in these areas of law before getting married.

If we’re already in a registered domestic partnership in California, do we have to dissolve our domestic partnership before we can marry?
No. The California domestic partnership statutes permit an individual to be both married and in a registered domestic partnership, so long as it is to the same person. In addition, there may be legal protections that are available through domestic partnership but not through marriage. For example, some states that will not honor marriages of same-sex couples may honor domestic partnerships.

Do you have to be a California resident to marry in California?
No. There is no residency requirement to marry in California.

If my partner and I are from another state and marry in California, will our marriage be valid in our home state?
If you live in another state and get married in California, you will be legally married. However, depending on where you live, your home state may not respect your marriage. Many states have passed discriminatory marriage laws, and in those states, state and local governments likely will not respect your California marriage. But even in those states, it is highly likely that at least some private businesses and other private third parties will respect your marriage – particularly those that already recognize same-sex couples through domestic partnership or a similar system.

Marriage is a serious legal decision, and same-sex couples face additional challenges and questions because of continuing discrimination against married same-sex couples by the federal government and many states. We urge couples who are considering getting married in California to proceed with caution. Before getting married in California, you should educate yourselves about the law in your state and, if possible, consult an attorney about the best way to protect your relationship based on your circumstances.

Can we file lawsuits if our marriages are not respected in other states or by the federal government?
If you feel you have been discriminated against, please contact one of the LGBT legal organizations listed on this document. We can help you figure out what options you have to protect your rights. Some types of unfair treatment can be the basis of a lawsuit, and other times the unfairness may not be suitable for a court to address. Even when litigation is an option, it is not the only option. It is always necessary to weigh the chances of success or failure because bad results in lawsuits can cause set backs and hurt our entire community. We want to increase the chances of winning overall, so it is critical that we work together to have a carefully planned strategy. Together, we can win!

What do we have to do to marry in California?
First you need to get a marriage license from the office of the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk of any California county. You can get a license application from most counties’ websites and complete it in advance, or complete it in the county clerk’s office. Both of you must go together to the county office and present a government-issued picture ID and proof that you are over 18 years old. (If either or both is younger than 18, different procedures apply.) You’ll need to pay the license fee, which varies by county but generally is less than $100. The license will be valid for 90 days and your marriage can be performed anywhere in California. Neither a blood test nor a health certificate is required. Call ahead or visit the county’s website to learn the hours and locations of the county offices that issue licenses.

Who can marry us?
In California, clergy members, active and retired judges and court commissioners, and the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages are authorized to perform legal marriages. The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Civil Marriages perform marriage ceremonies by appointment at designated county offices. There is a fee, which generally is less than $50. Call ahead or visit the county website for more information.

Any couple wishing to marry can also have a friend deputized to perform their marriage ceremony through a county “Deputy Commissioner for a Day” program. If you choose this option, you will need at least two months advance notice and the person to be deputized to perform your ceremony will have to pay a fee and visit the county office in person to be sworn in. Visit the county website to see if your county has this program. If it does not, check whether a nearby county will deputize an out-of-county resident.

The person who performs your ceremony must complete and sign your marriage license after the ceremony. In addition, at least one witness 18 years old or older must sign the marriage license.

The license then becomes your marriage certificate, which has to be returned promptly to the county for filing.

What happens if we marry in California and then wish to divorce?
The only legal way to end a marriage is to get a divorce. If you marry in California and live in California, you can divorce by filing a petition with a California court. However, if you move to another state, or if you already live in another state, getting a divorce could be difficult. Currently, the only state other than California in which same-sex married couples have an established right to divorce is Massachusetts; however, Massachusetts has a one-year residency requirement before a person can petition a Massachusetts court for a divorce. States with civil unions or comprehensive domestic partnerships, like Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont, may also allow married same-sex couples to divorce, but those states also have one-year residency requirements. That means that at least one spouse must be a resident of the state for a year prior to the divorce.

Couples who are unable to obtain a divorce remain legally married. Therefore, being unable to divorce may cause serious legal problems and complications for same-sex couples who find themselves in this situation.

Could right-wing forces take away the freedom to marry at the ballot box in California?
Yes. Because the court based its decision on rights guaranteed by the California Constitution, right-wing groups are trying to amend our state Constitution to eliminate these fundamental constitutional protections and take away the basis for the decision.

These groups, which have received significant funding from out-of-state right-wing organizations, are placing an initiative on the November 2008 ballot that will ask voters to amend the California constitution to reverse the court’s decision and deny gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry.

Already, many state leaders are expressing their opposition to this proposed constitutional amendment. For example, in a public statement on April 11, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger stated that an initiative to amend the California Constitution to ban gay and lesbian couples from marriage was “a waste of time,” adding “I will always be there to fight against that. It will never happen.”

We agree with Governor Schwarzenegger that these outsiders are wasting their time and money trying to turn California into a state that would use its Constitution to take away civil rights and hurt families. But it will take every one of us to stop this anti-family initiative. For more information about how to get involved, contact Equality For All at www.EqualityForAll.com.

What can we do to help preserve the freedom to marry we have just won?
We urge you to get involved today! For more information about how you can help, please contact Equality For All at www.EqualityForAll.com. Now that we have won this victory, all residents of California are better off, because strengthening any group of families makes stronger communities for everyone. All people who value families and fairness have a stake in preserving the freedom to marry for lesbian and gay couples. We cannot afford to wait, please act now.

California Supreme court overturns gay marriage ban

AP News reports that today the California Supreme Court has overturned the gay marriage ban, making Califonia the second state in the US to allow gay and lesbian weddings.

The justices' 4-3 decision states that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage. Today's ruling by the Republican-dominated court affects more than 100,000 same-sex couples in the state, about a quarter of whom have children, according to U.S. census figures. It came after high courts in New York, Washington and New Jersey refused to extend marriage rights to gay couples. Only Massachusetts' top court has ruled in favor of permitting gays to wed.

Gay rights lawyers won an early victory in the dispute when a San Francisco trial judge decided in 2005 that gays should be permitted to wed. An appeals court later overturned that decision on a 2-1 vote, ruling that only the Legislature or the voters could change California's traditional definition of marriage.

Lawyers in favor of same-sex marriage argued that the law discriminated on the basis of both gender and sexual orientation.

Opponents countered that the ban was gender-neutral, barring both women and men from marrying members of their own sex. They also argued that people could be treated differently because of their sexual orientation if there was a rational basis for it.

In 2000, 61% of California voters approved Proposition 22, which said that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

Since the ballot measure, California has passed one of the strongest domestic partnership laws in the country, giving registered same-sex couples many of the rights of married people, but not all.

Before today's ruling, gay rights lawyers predicted that a victory in the California Supreme Court would help them defeat the proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, which the lawyers expect to qualify for the November ballot.


The above information is from AP News and LA Times.

Lesbian Mistaken for a Man, Ejected from Restroom, Receives Settlement

When I saw this article, I knew I had to dedicate it to all those lesbians out there who have been mistaken for men while in the women's restroom. And although the article doesn't state the amount that was won in the lawsuit, I checked out a few other sites and found out it was $35,000!

by Kilian Melloy
A lawsuit brought on behalf of a lesbian thrown out of a women’s bathroom at a restaurant before being ejected, with her friends, from the premises, has been settled by the plaintiff and a New York eatery.

The suit was filed last fall on behalf of Khadijah Farmer, a Hell’s Kitchen resident who was in Greenwich Village after attending last June’s Pride events. While in the West Village, Farmer, her partner, and some friends stepped into Caliente Cab Company, where they were enjoying appetizers when Farmer left the table and headed to the ladies’ room.

On the way in, according to Farmer, a woman exiting the restroom seemingly mistook her for a man, because she made a point to tell Ms. Farmer that she was about to enter the ladies’ room.

Farmer replied that she was, actually, a woman.

This sort of exchange was not entirely new to Farmer, who summed up her experience later by saying, "I’m not the most effeminate woman in the world, nor do I try to be, but people still find it necessary to let me know that they think I’m in the wrong bathroom."

According to an Oct. 9, 2007, article published in the New York Times, Farmer was still in the stall when a male bouncer entered the restroom, having been erroneously alerted that a man was using the women’s facility. According to Farmer, who was aghast at the invasion and the confrontation, she called out, "I’m a female, and I’m supposed to be in here."

Said Farmer, "After I came out of the bathroom stall, I attempted to show him my ID to show him that I was in the right place, and he just refused to look at my identification."

Added Farmer, "His exact words were, ’Your ID is neither here nor there,’ which means that my ID didn’t matter to him."

After escorting Farmer back to the table where her friends and partner were waiting, the bouncer insisted that the party pay for the food they had already ordered and then told them to leave the restaurant, the article reported.

The New York Times account was part of a City Room blog reporting on the filing of the lawsuit on Ms. Farmer’s behalf by The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF).

The transgender advocacy group took the case even though Ms. Farmer is not transgendered: she was born, and she remains, female in gender.

But the incident serves, as a July 17 article published at EDGE observes, as an object lesson "that points up some of the core issues about society’s definition of gender, and challenges the rules of what is ’acceptable’ within the realms of gender expression."

Continues the EDGE article, "This drama presents a daily trial for persons who are transgender, as well as those who express gender traits counter to the traits associated with the sex they are born with."

In a May 13 press release, TLDEF announced that the parties involved in the suit had settled, and as part of the settlement had met every demand made by TLDEF, including the addition of language to the company nondiscrimination policy to make it more inclusive of gender identity and gender expression issues, sensitivity training for employees around gender identity and gender expression issues, the adoption of a gender-neutral employee dress code, and the payment of damages to Ms. Farmer.

The release quoted Farmer as saying, "I’m very happy that the restaurant has taken appropriate steps to ensure that all patrons, regardless of how masculine or feminine they appear, are treated with dignity and respect."

Added Farmer, "People come in all shapes and sizes, and they shouldn’t be discriminated against because they don’t match someone’s expectations of how masculine or feminine they should be."

The release included a quote from Michael Silverman, the executive director of TLDEF. "People are routinely harassed and abused when they fail to conform to expectations about gender, especially in places like restrooms," said Silverman, who also served as a lawyer on the case.

Added Silverman, "Today’s settlement marks a step forward in ensuring that people have equal access to public accommodations like restrooms and restaurants without regard to their gender identity or expression."

A second press release announced the TLDEF had scheduled a May 13 press conference, slated to take place at the New York State Supreme Court.

Jane's World & Girlyman, An Amazing Event!!!

For those of you who were unable to attend Paige Braddock’s Jane’s World Volume 8 release party, I thought I would give a little recap of the evening, and throw in some pictures as well.

The party was held at the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa and the approximately 200+ guests, most of whom were lesbians, just happened to be the biggest group the museum has ever had at one time for an event. The evening started around 7:00pm with lots of mingling, nibbling of munchies, and sipping of wine. At about 7:30, everyone headed into the theatre for Paige’s talk. Since there were so many attendees, the museum set up a second room upstairs with a live simulcast of the talk, so no one missed a thing.

Stephen Pastis, the guy that plays "Shallow Breast Guy" in Paige’s Books and author of Pearls before swine, opened the evening with a comedic and witty introduction of Paige. Stephen, a coworker and friend of Paige’s, repeatedly made mention, or maybe I should say warning, that anything you say or do around Paige is fair game for her to use in her books. In fact, I belive his exact words were “... underhanded, shameless little line-stealing profiteer squirl, ” but of course it was said with love. And you have to give the guy some credit, I mean it takes balls to stand on stage in front of a large group of people (mostly lesbians) wearing a shirt that reads “Shallow Breast Guy,” which, by the way, is going to be signed by both Stephan and Paige and auctioned off to a local charity on eBay later this week.

Following Stephan onto the stage was Paige Braddock, still wiping away the tears and laughing from her "roast," which she obviously found quite entertaining. Once she pulled herself together, she spent about 15-20 minutes taking about her new book, reading a few excerpts, and showing a slide show of images from her book. The audience roared with laughter throughout the talk, and eagerly followed her outside the theatre afterwards to get their Jane’s World books signed.

Around 8:30, Girlyman, one of Paige’s favorite bands, started their one hour music set. The band, which could be described as a cross between folk, pop & bluegrass, is made up of 2 girls (Doris & Ty) and 1 guy (Nate), all of whom are not only incredible musicians, but also have a great connection with each other and the audience.

After the show I was able to gather together Paige and the band to take couple of pictures. All in all, I would have to say the party was a great success.

One last note, I would like to send out a huge THANK YOU to Jeannie Schulz for allowing Paige to have this event at the museum, as well as all the volunteer’s (Jackie , Jessica, Becci, Renee, Paul, Mark, Devon, Gretchen, Tamara, Jane, Kitty, Stephanie and gina) who not only helped plan this event, but also took care of the set-up, clean-up and general smoothness of the entire evening, they were amazing.

Russian River Women's Weekend

If you live in Northern California and you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, come on over to Guerneville for the 28th Annual Russian River Women's Weekend.

Here are a few of the events that will be going on this weekend:

FRIDAY, MAY 16th

Early Girl Welcome Meet & Greet Continues:
Pick up your VIP passes here. 1:30-4:30pm at the West Sonoma Inn's Wine Lounge. Wine offered for sale by the glass. Sign up for events requiring pre-registration here.

Afternoon Tea in the Gardens
2pm at a Private residence in Monte Rio. Contact: Miriam (707) 865-9130. RAGS Welcome Party

6pm at the Rainbow Cattle Co.
no cover; BBQ out on our back patio during that time.

Charizma Winemaker Dinner Marion Schoenfeld of Wild Hog Vineyards
6-9pm at Charizma, 16337 Main St. (707)869-0909 ~ $50 reservations required. No VIPs

Suzanne Ciani & Seth Montfort in Concert
7pm at the Russian River Performing Arts Center at 4th & Mill ~ $15 cover. No VIPS.

Triple R Women.s Weekend Welcome Party
7pm at the Russian River Resort at 4th & Mill ~ no cover-

Blues Legend Gwen Avery at Main Street Station
7-10:30pm at Main Street Station 16280 Main Street ~ $7 Cover (Sorry, No VIP Passes).

Country Singer Kitty Rose in the Bandshell at the Dawn Ranch Lodge
8pm-10pm at Dawn Ranch Lodge ~$10 Cover. No VIPS. (Free for Dawn Ranch Guests)

Rock n' Roll Kick-Off Party with Cheap Date 13 & Chicken & the Defenders
8pm at the Old Buck's at 4th & Mill ~ $10 cover

Who Gets the Girl Drag King Contest followed by Dancing with DJ star Eleven
9-2am at FAB building at 16135 Main Street, Guerneville. ~ $10 cover.

Club Yamagata Dancing with DJ Gax & Go-Go Dancers
9-2am at Club Yamagata at 16225 Main Street, Guerneville

SATURDAY, MAY 17th
Craft Fair
10am-6pm on the old Guerneville bridge

Lollie's Pleasure Paddle and Treasure Hunt
10am - Pre-Registration Required - $75 per canoe. No VIP Passes.

Bombshell Betty Pinup Workshop
All-Day: 2-hour workshops at the old Club Fab Building 16135 Main Street, G.ville.
$125. No VIPs. Pre-register: http://www.bombshellbetty.net/pinuprrww.html

Suzanne Ciani & Seth Montfort in Concert
11am at the Russian River Performing Arts Center at 4th & Mill ~ $15 cover. No VIPS.

Enter the Painted Ladies Tattoo Contest @ the RRR
Noon-4pm with judging on Sunday at 1:00. Russian River Resort at 4th & Mill.

Wet Tease Pool Party at the Russian River Resort
Noon-5pm at the Russian River Resort includes the Wet T-shirt Contest $8 cover

Scrambler Golf Tournament at Northwood Golf Course
1pm in Monte Rio.- Pre-Registration Required ~ $40 per person. No Vips.

Club Yamagata's Darts League
2 pm @ Yamagata at 16225 Main Street, Guerneville ~ no cover $2 Draft Beer.

Heather Combs live music at Boon Hotel + Spa

3-7pm at Boon Hotel + Spa 14711 Armstrong Woods Road ~ $15 cover (No VIPs).

Book Reading by Michelle Tea followed by JUDY GRAHN reading from a new work
4:30pm at the Bunkhouse at Dawn Ranch.

Wine Boot Camp with Margaret Davenport Winemaker Dinner with Margaret Davenport
6pm in the dining room at Dawn Ranch. $99 No VIPs

Wild Janie Roberts at Charizma Wine Lounge; Women.s Weekend Menu
7-9pm at Charizma, 16337 Main Street, Guerneville (707)869-0909 ~ no cover

Spoken Word Troupe Sister Spit
7:30pm at the old FAB Building 16135 Main Street, Guerneville ~ $10 cover.

Cabaret Singer Terese Genecco at the Dawn Ranch Bandshell
8pm at Dawn Ranch. at Dawn Ranch. $10 cover No VIPs

Live Music by Kristi Martel at the Russian River Resort
8 pm on the back stage $10 cover (Not Included with VIP Wristband)

HAREM. Yamagata.s Eastern-Themed Party with DJ star Eleven & Belly-Dancers
9-2am at Club Yamagata at 16225 Main Street, Guerneville~ $7 cover

Marga Gomez at Comedy Night at the Russian River Resort
9 pm ~ $10 Donation to RRHC suggested. Country Dan.s Karaoke after the comedy

Gwen Avery at the Cabaret Room at the Triple R
10:00pm .til midnight at the Russian River Resort at 4th & Mill . no cover - 2 drink minimum

BACK TRAXX RETRO REUNION DANCE PARTY with DeeJay JFX
10-2am at the old Bucks Building ~$8 cover

BOMBSHELL PARTY: Vixen Noir, Twilight Vixen Revue, Alotta Boutte, Kitten on the Keys
10:30ish til 1am at the old FAB building then dancing with DJ Junior B ~ $10 cover.

SUNDAY, MAY 18th
Crafts Fair 10-6pm on the old bridge.

Russian River Women's Weekend Motorcycle Run
10am Meet & Greet with a full tank of gas @ Bank of America ATM parking lot

Morning Hike in the Redwoods
10am - Meet at parking lot in front of Armstrong Woods

Cooking Class with Jacqueline Martine of Seaweed Cafe
10 am at the Monte Rio Community Center, Monte Rio $75.

The Redwoods on Horseback with Laura Ayres
10:15am - Meet at parking lot in front of Armstrong Woods $70 Pre-registration required.
Email Laura to register: Laura@redwoodhorses.com

Unleash Your Fire Workshop with Vixen Noir
10:30am at the old Bucks To Register Visit www.myspace.com/unleashyourfire

Mimosa Sunday Poolside Lounge
11- 2pm at Boon Hotel + Spa, 14711 Armstrong Woods ~ $10 registration fee. No VIPs.

Liquid Church Pool Party with Lip Synch Contest; Lesbian Speed Dating & Tattoo Judging 1-4pm @ RRR DJ Lori Z. & MC Gwen Avery ~ $8 cover

Four course Luncheon by Jacqueline Martine of Seaweed Café and Women.s Art Show
1pm at the Monte Rio Community Center, Monte Rio $45

JELLO WRESTLING With the RUSSIAN RIVER SISTERS OF PERPETUAL INDULGENCE
2pm at Club Yamagata, Festive, Water Resistant Outfits Recommended!

1st Annual Texas Hold.em POKER TOURNAMENT at the old Bucks
2:30pm upstairs at Bucks. $40 buy-in/$10 re-buys No VIPS. Alcoholic beverages available

"Best Deal in Town" BBQ
5pm at the Rainbow Cattle Co. $1 burgers, veggie burgers and hot dogs.

Women's Weekend Closing Party with Anne Carol, Judy Grahn and Debbie Bates
6:30pm at the RRR . $10 cover

I Don't Wanna Go Yet. Party at Club Yamagata- Dancing with DJ Gax
9pm .til 2am at Club Yamagata at 16225 Main Street, Guerneville $7 cover

Lesbos ladies launch lesbian lawsuit

I had recently heard about this lawsuit in the news, but only just read the full story...

A Greek court has been asked to draw the line between the natives of the Aegean Sea island of Lesbos and the world's gay women. Inhabitants on the Greek island of Lesbos, have launched a lawsuit against a gay rights group.

Three islanders from Lesbos -- home of the ancient poet Sappho, who praised love between women -- have taken a gay rights group to court for using the word lesbian in its name.
One of the plaintiffs said Wednesday that the name of the association, Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, "insults the identity" of the people of Lesbos, who are also known as Lesbians.

"My sister can't say she is a Lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou. "Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos," he said.
The three plaintiffs are seeking to have the group barred from using "lesbian" in its name and filed a lawsuit on April 10. The other two plaintiffs are women.

A spokeswoman for the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece said the action was "a joke in bad taste that borders on discrimination."

"I don't see how the word can be an insult," Evangelia Vlami said. "We don't think doubt can be cast on dictionaries ... even the United Nations refer to us as Lesbians."

Also called Mytilene, after its capital, Lesbos is famed as the birthplace of Sappho. The island, particularly the lyric poet's reputed home town of Eressos, is a favored holiday destination for gay women.

"This is not an aggressive act against gay women," Lambrou said. "Let them visit Lesbos and get married and whatever they like. We just want (the group) to remove the word lesbian from their title."

He said the plaintiffs targeted the group because it is the only officially registered gay group in Greece to use the word lesbian in its name. The case will be heard in an Athens court on June 10.
Sappho lived from the late 7th to the early 6th century B.C. and is considered one of the greatest poets of antiquity. Many of her poems, written in the first person and intended to be accompanied by music, contain passionate references to love for other women.

Lambrou said the word lesbian has only been linked with gay women in the past few decades. "But we have been Lesbians for thousands of years," said Lambrou, who publishes a small magazine on ancient Greek religion and technology that frequently criticizes the Christian Church.

Vlami, the gay group spokeswoman, said any misunderstanding can easily be resolved through linguistics.

"Most people from Lesbos prefer to use the word Mytilene, which is the more ancient version and because some people may be afraid of being misunderstood," she said. "I don't see what the problem is ... Can't a woman just say: I am from the island of Lesbos?"

Very little is known of Sappho's life. According to some ancient accounts, she was an aristocrat who married a rich merchant and had a daughter with him. One tradition says that she killed herself by jumping off a cliff over an unhappy love affair.

Lambrou says Sappho was not gay. "But even if we assume she was, how can 250,000 people of Lesbian descent -- including women -- be considered homosexual?"

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.