In this episode, I interviewed Jen, an army vet. Following in her father's footsteps, she joined the army to fulfill her desire to serve her country. She excelled in her training and felt she was destined to make the army a career. However, she served during the "don't ask, don't tell era in the military. This caused her to struggle with confusion and the ultimate fear of being exposed as a lesbian.
The BOLDFest is gearing up registration for the festival this Labor Day Weekend! For more info., go to: http://www.boldfest.com/
Pat Hogan, activist, lesbian event producer and the moving force behind BOLDFest. The festival is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, August 30th-Sept. 2nd. in Vancouver, British Columbia.
In our conversation, Pat highlights upcoming sessions and musical entertainment. We also discuss how she got into community building for lesbians. Lesbians come from all over North America and other countries to enjoy each others company, laugh and share ideas in a supportive setting.
For more information on the upcoming BOLDFest, go to: http://www.boldfest.com/.
You can listen to her previous interview here: The Lesbian Story Project, episode 24, with Pat Hogan.
In episode 27, I interview longtime friend, Agnes. She shares her journey of growing up in the Virgin Islands, her successful life in the hotel industry and losing it all to her battle with alcoholism. She has a powerful come back by facing her addiction through 12 step recovery.
In this episode, the tables are turned and I get interviewed for a change. I did it to honor the lesbians I have interviewed. I have always been touched by their openness and vulnerability. It was a challenge speaking and editing the episode. It has raised my awareness in putting the program together. Enjoy!
Betsy is our 5th lesbian from the Denver SAGE storytelling group. She shares her passion of tennis. In 1990, she participated in the Gay Games in Toronto, British Columbia. In 1994, she participated New York City with her daughter. In her recollection, she weaves tales from her experience and the local media coverage. For those of us who didn't get to go, she creates great images.
This is the second in a series of written pieces shared by the lesbians from SAGE in Denver, CO. Beth tells her story of coming out later in life.
Lesbians from the SAGE Writers Group, share their own favorite writings. Gillian shares about coming out and insights during a fall day.
If you would like to read more of the work from the SAGE of the Rockies Writers Group go to: https://sageoftherockies.blogspot.com/
I crossed paths with Annemarie Serra at the National Women's Music Festival. She surprisingly told me that a non-profit organization is being formed called We Want the Land Coalition, to purchase the Michigan Women's Music Festival Site. In this interview, she talks about how the coalition got started and their plans for the future.
If you'd like to connect with the coalition, Annemarie share the following resources in the podcast.
website: www.wwtlc.org Along with updates you can subscribe to their mailing list.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WWTLC/
If you like these conversations, subscribe and leave a rating and review at iTunes or Stitcher.
In this interview, I talk with Katie Watkins with Lesbian Connections Magazine. Many of us have enjoyed this periodical for years, if not decades. Lesbian Connection connects our community through printed magazines, online and audio. Katie is the youngest member of the Lesbian Connection team. She is an asset as the magazine includes a younger generation. For more information on how to subscribe go to: lconline.org. They can also be reached on Facebook.
Beginning broadcast from The National Women's Music Festival, Middleton, WI
Gidda Ritter is creating, a 55 yr. and above womyn space, on the internet. Womynlink brings womyn together to share ideas, memories and share support, without leaving your home. Currently, it hosts bi-weekly kitchen table discussions. Topics have included: Brene Brown's work, the status of older lesbians and issues as we grow older. The platform allows for everyone to be seen and heard. Gidda sees the expertise within the community and would like for womyn to offer seminars. The site just celebrated its 1st year anniversary. With a core group of womyn, they are creating a new safe space for older lesbians.
For more information contact Gidda at: groupspaces.com/womynlink
In this interview, I had to privilege to speak with Mardi Moore, the Executive Dir. Of Out Boulder County.
Under her leadership, over the last 3 years, here is some of the progress they've made:
- Out Boulder expanded to Out Boulder County .
- Out Boulder County is now focused on meeting the needs of the whole LGBTQ community.
- Out Boulder County expanded by opening an additional office on Main St. in Longmont, CO.
- Creation of the Transgender Leadership Academy
In this conversation, we get to know Mardi Moore's personal side. She talks about growing up in rural Colorado. After graduating from the University of Denver, she was involved in advocating for AIDS victims. Later, in Seattle, she started a company to raise money from smaller donors to benefit LGBT citizen rights and start the Pride Foundation. Mardi shares the importance of keeping balance in her personal life in order to keep strength for the daily challenges of leadership. Mardi’s openness and insight gives us her personal perspective on the continued challenges toward LGBT rights and freedoms. Her history, along with her involvement on the national level, has brought a seasoned leader back home to Boulder.
In episode 13, I interview Kandis Glasgow on her book, A Coloring Adventure: Mandala Meditation Journey. After a divorce and spiritual crisis, she found healing through the use of mandalas and journaling. Kandis shares how her life changed and the book came together. For more information about the book, go to http://hiddentalentdesign.
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In this interview, I talk with Suzanne Noe, the community organizer and founder of ProSuzy.com. Suzanne created Pro Suzy, in the St. Petersburg, FL area, as a way to meet other lesbians who share common interests. When Suzanne retired and sold the business, she had over 7,000 lesbians on her email list. During the interview, she shares her experience and ideas for bringing lesbians together.
Sonya Jaquez Lewis has been active in LGBT and political issues for many years. In this interview, she shares her perspective on the challenges we've faced and looks to the future. Some of her involvement have included: Co-hosting the Creating Change Conference in Denver, CO, President of the Board for Boulder Pride (now Out Boulder), Delegate to the Democratic National Convention for the last three elections, and The Compete Diversity 2016 Female Athlete of the Year Award. With our new political climate, we need to stand strong. Listen
to this interview for a look back to our wins and a strategy for the future. The left photo, Sonya and her partner Allison (right), celebrate her win at the Compete Diversity Awards. The right photo: Connie Waldman, Publisher of Compete Magazine and Sonya Jaquez Lewis, 2016 Female Athelete of the Year. If you enjoy the Lesbian Story Project, please subscribe to the podcast on I-tunes, Stitcher and Google Groups. Help get the word out by leaving a rating and a review on i-Tunes.
Kristofek, author of Melody's Battle: A young woman's struggle and surrender to dementia, is the guest for episode #10. Mary wrote this book as a part of her healing after Melody's death. It can serve as a resource for others facing the death of a loved one. You can access her book on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D154606011&field-keywords=mary+kristofek It is available in both Kindle and soft bound books.
Deb Tiemens[/caption] Deb Tiemens enjoyed her time in college. It gave her the opportunity to be a leader, refine her craft as a musician and flourish. She was the success story of the students Northwestern College wanted to graduate. Not long after graduation, it was no surprise that she was selected to she was hired by the college as an admissions recruiter. After starting a relationship with another woman, she sought guidance on what to do as a lesbian. In her story, she shares the opposition and challenges she faced, how she found support and the amazing opportunity to reconnect to her faith and heal. Deb Tiemens and I got to know each other in college. I am grateful for her gracious ability to share her personal coming out experience. Many are wounded in an environment of religious rejection. Amazingly, Deb was able to find a place of acceptance of those who rejected and tried to “fix” her and and a comfortable place in her spiritual life. Deb shares the importance of authenticity and the healing power of community. Deb Tiemens is a gifted singer/song writer. Before and after the interview, she sings Friends of the Heart and A New Song to Sing. These songs were performed during her presentation to the Room for All National Conference. Her album, Muse, can be found at cdbaby.com/cd/tiemens on itunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/muse/id48760515.
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Arden Eversmeyer[/caption] Here in episode #8, we have a conversation with Arden Eversmeyer, The founder of the old lesbian Herstory Project. She started interviewing lesbians over the age of 70, nineteen years ago. Thankfully, this project has saved life stories of lesbians born in early 1900s. Today, the Herstory Project has completed over 500 lesbian life stories and anticipates adding another 100 this year. These finished life stories are a gift from all of the women involved. Starting with a recorded interview and transcription, the finished story is a beautiful document including pictures, awards and achievements. [caption id="attachment_578" align="alignright" width="150"]
Arden and her wife Charlotte[/caption] The oral histories are given to each woman who shares her story and are archived at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College. From the collection of stories, there are 2 books: A Gift of Age, and Without Apology. They give a glimpse of what life was like for the strong women who have gone before us. These women were true to themselves and fully engaged in life. For more information on the Old Lesbian Story Project go to: OLOHP.org Please support the Lesbian Story Project by subscribing to the podcast on I-tunes and leave a rating and review. This will get the word out to more lesbians.
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Standing Rock Photo by Sky Yarbrough[/caption] [caption id="attachment_484" align="alignleft" width="160"]
Sky Yarbrough[/caption] Sky Yarbrough recently visited the tribe at Standing Rock. She went to help them as they were overrun by the Dakota Access pipeline,Support is showing up in food, supplies and money. At this recording, there are 10 different feeding stations to feed thousands of people. The winters ahead, in North Dakota, are grim with temperatures at -45 degrees. On Oct. 11th, the US government will meet with the Standing Rock Tribe on how tribal input can better impact government policy. To find out more information on Standing Rock, Facebook is full of resources. You call search Standing Rock on Facebook and find lots of resources. I also found stories reported by Laura Flanders to be helpful. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=laura%20flanders%20standing%20rock The Standing Rock official tribe page provides updates and receives donations going directly to the tribe. They provide news releases to update people on the protest. http://standingrock.org [caption id="attachment_485" align="alignright" width="156"]
Sky and Mary[/caption] It's amazing that Sky and I can have a conversation and keep it under 40 mins. The first time we tried to podcast, she gave me 2 hours of conversation to edit. I have seen many strengths in Sky. The passion in her voice, community and the next generation. In editing the podcast, I found some of my words to be naive. From this discussion, I believe the movement is bigger than Standing Rock. Treaties and violations of the planet will no longer continue as they have in the past. Through the internet, justice is playing out in front of a world audience.
Pulp Fiction arrived on the scene after World War 2. With rising literacy rates, the publishing industry seized the opportunity to create books that had a high 
quality book cover and low quality paper for the story. Thus came the term pulp fiction. Lesbian pulp fiction sold to the general population of both men and women. It also provided a connection for lesbians unable to live openly albeit askew from reality. In this interview, Robin discusses the history of Lesbian Pulp Fiction. With the stigma against lesbians during this era, Robin's curiosity unravels a secret world of authors and their stories. The following list of books in the interview and are a good introduction to the genre. Robin's favorites: Lesbian Pulp Fiction by Katherine V. Forrest The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith This book will be released as a movie under the title "Carol". Desert of the Heart by Jane Rule We too are Drifting by Gayle Wilhelm Books by Valerie Taylor and Paula Christian Other Titles and Authors Mentioned in the Interview: The Ann Bannon Series- Available in book , digital download and audio at AnnBannon.com Spring Fire by Vin Packer Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
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Sculptures by Tess Ridgel[/caption] 
Tess Ridgel shares a wonderful coming of age story. Unlike many of us, her mom was a lesbian. When Tess was sadden by losing her girl friend, her mom had the insight to share what those feelings could mean. She didn't encourage Tess to be a lesbian, but felt it was important for Tess to make her own choice. She now cuts down trees for forest fire mitigation. In addition, she spends her time creating artwork and pieces of art and altars from choice pieces of cut wood. She also creates wonderful paintings of pets and images that catch her eye. She is a professional landscaper in Denver, CO. You can find out more about her work at her business worksite: http://www.oaksundesigns.com/ [caption id="attachment_331" align="aligncenter" width="232"]
Artwork by Tess Ridgel[/caption]
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The Book Garden[/caption] Kasha Songer ran The Book Garden - A Women's Store, for almost twenty years in Denver, CO. It was a hub of lesbian and feminist activity. Coming from a small city in Illinois, she wanted a city that supported women's community in a safe environment. Denver was just the place for her. It was one of the leading places to live for lesbians in the country. In the podcast, Kasha shares memories from her time at the bookstore. We hear how the store started and served the lesbian community in Denver. When asked for suggested book titles, Sasha said there were too many to mention. However, her favorite author is Audre Lorde. Years later, many of the women who gathered in the bookstore are still connected and gather around lesbian concerns.
My g
uest, Ronni Sanlo, is a recognized authority in LGBT activism and higher education. She is known for her writing, both on the academic and personal levels. When she came out Anita Bryant was at the height of her political career. Against the odds, Ronni made a significant contribution to equality and creating supportive environments for LGBT students in higher education. In this interview, we talk about the programs that are offered to LGBTQ students. This is a new area to many listeners. These services weren't a consideration, for us, during their college experience. Ronni also talks about her current projects. While "officially" she could be considered retired, she lives a full life . Her schedule includes: writing, consulting, speaking and publishing. Below you will find the links to resources mentioned in the podcast. Ronni's books and documentary: The Solider, the Avatar and the Holocaust, and The Purple Golf Cart, The Misadventures of a Lesbian Grandma, can be found at ronnisanlo.com Help with self-publishing, can be found at Purpledistinctions.com. A list of LGBT books, and their writers, she has helped to self-publish are at: http://purpledistinctions.com/published_books.html *Here is a special link for you! Enjoy her interview for her documentary, "A Letter For Anita" for the Tel Aviv Film Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru3VKACa6AI. It was one of my favorite resources for this interview. The Silver Thread Celebration, January 12th-16th, in Saint Petersburg, FL. Dr. Ronni Sanlo will be presenting her workshop on writing your memoir. This program has practical ways to get to started on writing your own story. This is a gathering for lesbians over the age of 50, their friends and the women who love them. Lesbians gather from around the country for speakers, seminars and nightlife on the Florida beach. It's a great time to regenerate with a group of lesbians. Registration and program information can be found at: silverthreadscelebration.org/. This an incredible 5 days for seminars, rest and relaxation!!!
Mary Speegle[/caption] The Lesbian Story Project has launched!!! This podcast has spent a longtime as an idea. It has been the goal to create a podcast for lesbians to share their life stories, challenges and thoughts for the future. Lesbian space is declining. It's becoming a challenge to find bright and articulate women. Here, we are posting stories to connect lesbians from anywhere there is an internet connection to be a part of this community. Creating a community is like a one handed clap, It takes a network of lesbians to create a podcast for lesbians. I am grateful for the support and belief to launch. This includes: those willing to be interviewed, cheerleaders, teachers, and editors. Thanks to: Shannon Jaye, Eydie, Ronnie, Hiedi, Tess, Mary, Roberta and many more. If you would like to share your story or event, contact us that The Lesbian Story Project, at mspeegle415@gmail.com.