A very popular Mexican image is Catrina created by Jose Guadelupe Posada at the turn of the last century. She is a parody of a wealthy, well dressed woman who, like all, will be equalized in death as there are no poor nor rich, no weak nor powerful, no beautiful nor ugly. Posada’s engravings were in the tabloids and he quickly popularized skeletons while poking fun at the political, economic and social mores of the time. Catrina has been in murals and folk arts repeatedly. Here she is centered and paid homage to by carved wooden musicians made in the state of Oaxaca. This folk art form is relatively new for Mexico but has quickly become a highly respected part of this rich culture we are celebrating on Cinco de Mayo.

Gallery Night: Thursday, May 17th > Celebrate Prima Vera and Mexico and more with Joan and Phil at The Peaceable Kingdom!

The Peaceable Kingdom  |  116 Ives street, Providence, RI  |  401.351.3472

“With a four-octave range and vast array of vocal techniques, McFerrin is not a mere singer; he is music’s last true Renaissance man, a vocal explorer who combines jazz, folk and a multitude of world music influences. As one of the foremost guardians of music’s rich heritage, he remains at the vanguard with his natural, beautiful and timeless music that transcends all borders and embraces all cultures.” — First-works

GET: You have engaged with a lot of community groups. So far, what has been your favorite experience of bringing a group of people together through singing?

McF: I do at least a hundred concerts every year, and I would bet that at every single one of them I get the whole audience to sing together. There’s no better way to turn a bunch of strangers into a community. You can’t make me choose just one! My favorite thing is that I am lucky enough to be the person who gets to experience that feeling all the time, and to bring that feeling into the lives of others.

GET: Is there anyone in particular that you have found through your workshops that has stood out as really creative and driven that you might like to work with in another environment?

McF: That’s not the way I work. I’m sure there are many people who’ve taken my workshops who would be wonderful to work with. But in the context of the kinds of workshops I give, it’s not about standing out or strutting your stuff or demonstrating your level of drive is kind of missing the point. It’s about surrendering to the music, subsuming your individual self to the greater good, making room for others. It’s about a very intimate, personal process of self-evaluation and growth. Sometimes singers come to the workshops hoping to stand out, and that’s always awkward and a little sad; even if they are very talented they are missing the point. It’s not an audition. It’s a process of discovery. I’m still in the middle of that process, and so are my favorite collaborators.

GET: You have collaborated with many great people: Herbie Hancock, and other singers from around the world including his son. What has been the most unique collaboration you have done?

McF: They’ve all been great experiences, and they are like snowflakes, every one is different. Some are lifelong journeys, where we keep coming back to our work together, like Herbie Hancock and YoYo Ma. Some are chance meetings, like the surprise > guest artists who join me onstage in concert around the world; last month I toured Asia and got to improvise with an Erhu player, a gamelan, and a monkey chant ensemble! But if I have to pick one that really stands out, it’s my collaboration with Chick Corea. I’m touring with him again this summer. We really do have a chemistry between us that’s like coming home. When we played together at the Blue Note during his 70th birthday celebration, somebody said they could really hear from the way we played that we’d been working together for 35 years. And we said no, it was like that from the very first day. We just set each other free somehow.

GET: If you couldn’t use your voice, what would you use as your instrument?

McF: Whatever was at hand! A piano, two rocks, clapping my hands. Or I could just listen to the music playing in my inner ear!!

GET: You have a great effect on your audiences. They leave with a palpable sense of elation. If there is one thing that has sustained your own joy, what is it? Do you have any advice for audience members who wish to sustain their own sense of joy?

McF: Thank you for saying that. If there’s anything I consider my mission in this life, that’s it. I want the audience to leave feeling joy. I want them to make up silly songs over breakfast the next morning. I want them to feel free and connected to each other and happy to be alive in this world. I think everybody finds joy in different ways. For me, singing is it. Sing for yourself, sing with your family, sing with your friends, sing songs you know, make stuff up. What a joy it is to sing and make music!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Here’s a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
In every life we have some trouble
But when you worry you make it double
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Ain’t got no place to lay your head,
somebody came and took your bed
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
The landlord say your rent is late,
he may have to litigate
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Ain’t got not cash, ain’t got no style,
ain’t got no gal to make you smile
Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Cause when you worry your face will frown
and that will bring everybody down
Don’t Worry, Be Happy

© ProbNoblem Music (BMI)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Backyard beekeeping is enjoying a revival throughout the US and in Rhode Island as well. Americans are busy recovering the knowledge of beekeeping from the age of our foremothers and fathers when virtually every home had a backyard beehive or two for the extraction of honey and wax. The fascination with beekeeping has extended to urban areas where beekeeping is once again legal, for example in New York City since 2010, and beekeeping is accepted in every community in Rhode Island. There is even a beehive on the grounds of the White House installed by Michelle Obama next to the garden for the White House kitchen to proudly serve local fresh honey as well as home grown vegetables. My husband Richard and I have been keeping bees in the village since 2006 when I installed our first hive after going to Bee School offered by the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association (RIBA).

In colonial days honeybees were not in as much trouble as they are today, so keeping bees is not as simple as it used to be. Today beekeepers need to be amateur scientists as well as hobbyists. Colony Collapse disorder and a variety of parasites have afflicted the bees of American producers, most of whom raise bees trucked across the country for pollination. The stress on the bees from transport to the almond growers in California, to the citrus crops in Florida, to the apple orchards of New York, and the blueberry fields of New Jersey and Maine is thought to be a major contributor to the ill-health of American honey bees. Besides being exposed to single crops, contrary to their natural tendency to forage broadly on wild flowers, their exposure to pesticides is thought to multiply the stress. As a result, the backyard hobbyist, even in urban areas, is likely keeping bees in a healthier overall environment. The bad news is that the bees are in trouble; the good news is that beekeeping is enjoying more popularity than ever. Even in little Rhody there are over 500 members of RIBA, and not all beekeepers in the state belong to the organization.

The honey bee Apis mellifera, is not native to North America and our Indigenous people did not manage feral colonies as was the case in other parts of the world.  Honey bees were brought to the New World on board  the ships that brought European settlers to America. The honey bee spread in the US with western expansion, and after relations with American Indians deteriorated the honey bee became the harbinger of the arrival of new settlers and was referred to as the “white man’s fly.” The advent of modern beekeeping techniques began in the 1850s with the invention by Reverend xx  Langstroth of the moveable frame hive in Philadelphia. This permitted better observation, manipulation and management of bee colonies and greatly increased their productivity.

In Pawtuxet village you may have purchased honey at the Farmer’s market from Bernie Bieder (“Bernie’s Bees”), or you may have seen honey from our hives on Fort Avenue for sale in Twice Told Tales or at Water’s Edge (“Home Sweet Home Hives”). This is local honey and is not to be confused with the honey for sale in the supermarket or in one of the big box stores which is either from a large commercial beekeeping company in the US such as Sue Bee or, like so much else these days, an import from China sold at a lower price.  Pure local raw honey is a superior product and is only filtered to remove any bits of wax and bee parts and thus contains all of the nutrients and probiotic elements of true honey. This is unlike the super-heated and hyper-filtrated commercial imports that destroy much of the beneficial properties of honey. Real natural honey will thicken and crystallize over time and can be restored to its original form by heating slowly in hot water or for 10 seconds in the microwave, while the supermarket honey remains forever liquid. Honey does not go bad and can be stored and used for years, although it rarely lasts that long in the cupboard.

Raw honey has many medicinal uses such as excellent healing of cuts, burns and wounds. Applying honey directly to a cut or burn seals the wound and decreases healing time by as much as half. Honey is being used medically in RI and in US in hospitals and nursing homes for wounds, bed sores, and other stubborn infections that have proved unresponsive to some of the new superbugs. Consuming local honey, as little as a teaspoon a day, may alleviate seasonal allergies as the bees are foraging on and processing into a lovely product the aggravating pollen from the spring and fall blooms that make you sneeze. Spring honey is light in color while late summer and fall honeys are a variety of shades of amber. Bee sting therapy is also used to reduce arthritic joint pain; patients are stung in the afflicted joint or area (knees, shoulders, hands or back) once or twice weekly and report long time relief from this chronic suffering. The bee venom apparently sets up an auto-immune response that causes swelling in the tissue and relieves pain.

Pawtuxet village has a good variety of natural flowering bushes and trees that promote a good “honey flow”—strong bee activity gathering pollen and nectar. From the first white snowdrops, to the blue Siberian scillys and crocuses of early spring (well, this year, late winter) to the flowering maples, crab apples, basswood, black locust and willow trees, along with the ubiquitous dandelions of full spring, you can find honey bees working the flowers of the village during the sunny (bees do not work in the rain) from February to October. As the spring flowering trees are replaced by honey suckle and numerous wild flowers of the summer, the bees continue their work on Rose of Sharon, cone flowers, and, yes, goldenrod into the fall producing for Rhode Island two “honey flows,” one in June and the second in late August or early September.

Support Rhode Island beekeepers by buying local honey, now available at many farmers’ markets, or, like me, for sale at the door with a cash jar. Beekeeping along with vegetable gardening, raising chickens and other “grow your own” activities have Americans producing more of what we eat.  Stop by our hives on Fort Avenue sometime for a brief visit and maybe the beekeeping bug will bite you.

Caption for last image: Everett Hoag and Barbara Morse Silva host the GGBCRF Fashion Show

FASHION SHOW
Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation
By Carol Donnelly

“Breast Cancer Does Not Discriminate” is the theme of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation’s annual Our Heroes Fashion Show, being held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, in Cranston, on Saturday, May 12th.

The Foundation will weave this message into a high-style fashion show, adorned with international flair. All the models in the show are breast cancer survivors, and their escorts are their heroes—spouses, children, doctors, and emergency response personnel. This magical evening accomplishes many things. It promotes breast cancer awareness, acts as a fundraiser for the foundation, helps survivors reconnect with their beauty, and delivers a very important message: Breast Cancer Does Not Discriminate.

This seemingly simple statement is a powerful message that sums up the modus operandi of this potentially deadly disease. Breast cancer bears no prejudices, and can wage war on anyone at anytime. It’s victim’s age is unimportant; race is inconsequential; gender means nothing, and sexual orientation makes no difference. Socioeconomic status is not a factor. It will attack an ivy leaguer making a six-figure salary just as quickly as it will attack a high school dropout.

There is no way to prevent breast cancer, and the only real protection to surviving this disease is early detection. Unfortunately, lesbian and bisexual women who develop breast cancer are more likely to receive their diagnoses at later stages—meaning they’re more likely to die from the disease. So, why is this happening?

Studies have shown that women who partner with women fear discrimination if they acknowledge their sexual orientation to health care professionals, and women who express their gender androgynously often avoid going to the doctor’s all together. It is appalling that biases and outright discrimination in medical settings are still happening in the twenty-first century. The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation is a place that offers support and education to people who have been affected by breast cancer—regardless of a person’s age, race, gender or sexual orientation.

There is no excuse for medical professionals that discriminate against individuals, because of their sexual orientation. More importantly, there is no excuse for individuals who accept substandard care from medical professionals that are deliberately disrespectful. Women, regardless of their sexual orientation, owe it to themselves to find quality physicians who will listen to their concerns and understand their issues. Finally, there is also no excuse for not performing monthly breast self-exams.

As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I am pleading with everyone who is reading this article to make a promise to herself to do monthly breast self-exams (if she is not already doing them). Then, I want you to keep that promise. I also want you to promise to have annual clinical breast-exams performed by a medical professional. If you are over forty or have a family history, I want you to promise to have an annual mammogram. Lastly, I want you to share this information with at least three other people, and ask them to make the same promises, because it could save their lives.

In the surprisingly male dominated erotic industry, lesbians have begun to re-envision how they are perceived and represented. They are reengineering the products used to express the physical aspects of their love. They are taking ownership of their orientation in all its manifestations. This month I want to take some time to point a few stars out to you.

About 10 years ago Devioune and her buddy Chris, were hanging around welding (or doing something equally butch) and discussing how frustrating harness’ straps of the time were. They lacked durability, ease of use and were unattractive. Thus the stars aligned and Primo leather was born. Chris and Devioune designed a hand made product that was user focused and tested. Some of the prototypes are still functional and the line, still hand made by Chris, continues to expand today.

Another company is the Wet for Her toy company. Designed by lesbians who wanted to make pieces that were non-phallic but still a natural extension of the body. One of their pilot pieces is the Vic, a simple device that looks like the fingers it slips over, adding just enough extra reach to compliment a bodies natural design and motion.

On the visual front is Shine Louise Houston, whose award winning films include Champion, Superfreak and The Crash pad series. These are not gay for pay films; these are lesbian made, for lesbian viewing and cover the spectrum from high femmes to stone butch and everybody in between.

So remember, never worry that a product wasn’t made with you in mind or a great product is just an idea you have, just get out there and make it happen.

This young adult book is written in the form of letters to each author’s younger self. The list of names here is prodigious as much for talent as for the sheer number of authors who joined in the project: Eileen Myles, Amy Bloom, Michael Cunningham, Armistead Maupin, Paul Rudnick, Linda Villarosa, Gregory Maguire, Christopher Rice, Jewelle Gomez, Bill Clegg, Diane Dimassa, Colman Domingo, David Leavitt, Carter Sickels, David Levithan, Brian Selznick, Julie Anne Peters, Jacqueline Woodson, David Ebershoff, Janice Maiman, Paige Braddock, Randall Kenan, Lucy Thurber, Marion Dane Bauer are merely two dozen of the nearly five dozen included in this wonderful collection. Instructive, poignant, brilliant and often very funny, it should be in every junior high & high school library.

EMINENT OUTLAWS: Gay Writers Who Changed America
by Christopher Bram
$27.99 hardcover
Little Brown

Christopher Bram is the author of the book The Father of Frankenstein about James Whale that became the film Gods & Monsters. In his latest book he assesses the impact of nearly a dozen legendary writers: Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, James Baldwin, Christopher Isherwood, Allen Ginsberg, Edward Albee, Edmund White, Armistead Maupin, Mart Crowley, and Tony Kushner whose impact upon American culture is measured here. Bram chronicles the fifty years from the Civil Rights Movement to Stonewall to AIDS and beyond. Within its pages Bram claims that, “The gay revolution began as a literary revolution” and “reveals how the lives of these men are crucial to understanding the social and cultural history of the American twentieth century.” He very ably backs up his claims.

Of particular interest to me were the sections on Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Gore Vidal. I have long been fascinated by the interactions between Gore Vidal and Truman Capote as young men as documented in the diaries of Anais Nin, and Bram does a wonderful job of filling in the blanks that Nin discreetly left out of her diary entries. Bram’s assessment of all of these great writers and their impact on society is astute and well conceived and the book is a pleasure to read. Ian Mckellen loved this book and so will you.

“No matter how close to yours another’s steps have grown, in the end there is one dance you’ll do alone.” — Jackson Browne

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” — Bono

East Greenwich’s annual Main Street Summer Strolls are a great way to spend a summer night. Local Artists paint and perform along Main Street in this historic old town.

There is plenty of food to sample from the local eateries as well as late night shopping in the many fun and exciting stores that stay open late on Stroll nights. This summer, the place to be… and stroll is East Greenwich.

May 10>  Just in Time for Mothers Day
June 14>  Navy Day Parade
July 19>  Dogs on Main Dog Parade
Aug 23>  Taste of Main Food Fest

All Strolls are on Thursday nights, from 5-8PM=

Move over Smithsonian! There’s a new museum to write home to mommy about. Mistress Mommy that is. San Francisco’s beloved, notorious and yes legendary Good Vibrations opened [http://antiquevibratormuseum.com] The Antique Vibrator Museum. Already creating a stir, or shall we say a national vibe  some of the antique vibrators from the turn of the century can be seen in the new film [www.imdb.com/title/tt1435513/] “Hysteria”, a major Hollywood film starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and Rupert Everett in a Victorian-era romantic comedy set around the creation of the vibrator with Good Vibrations co-presenting the premiere. And the movie title has it right—vibrators were promoted as cures for women’s hysteria. Take a look at the happy, pleasured women in the vintage product’s marketing. “Sex Sells” isn’t just a new notion after all.

Good Vibrations founder Joani Blank started her vintage vibe collection decades ago with the stores housing them in loving cases. But they never had one home of their own with the glamorous displays deserving of museum artifacts and now they do. GV staff sexologist and founder of [http://sexandculture.org] The Center for Sex and Culture, Dr. Carol Queen explains, “We are delighted to showcase our collection in a dynamic, historic, and entertaining display at our Polk Street retail location. The new exhibit contextualizes the vibrators’ role in society and highlights how our attitudes around sex and female pleasure have evolved.  It really gives us an appreciation for how far both society and technology have come, and it’s fitting to house the exhibit in the original female-friendly adult retail store.”

Talk about a “Night at the Museum” you might want something a little more up to date for your adult toys. No worries—the new models still cure what ails you.

If you aren’t planning a trip to SF Pride anytime soon, just take a day trip over to the Boston Good Vibrations in [www.goodvibes.com/content.jhtml?id=New-Brookline-Good-Vibes-Events] Brookline to see some of the antique vibrators on display. Tell them Shar and GET-RI sent you!

Rhode Island may be a small state but it has a wealth of powerful and productive women. It’s important for us to share this lively energy and bring awareness of its existence to the rest of the community. A handful of this diverse group of women agreed to speak with GET.

We were thrilled to be able to share with you who they are and what they are up to. Joining in on the conversation are: Lulu Locks of Providence Pinup, Phyllis Arffa and Chris Redmonds, the women of Blaze, Jen Stevens of RI Pride and Luna Ladies night, Veronica Cintron of the Style Rehab, Ronia Peguero of Blue Azul, and Pam Padula (what doesn’t she do?). Enjoy.

GET: What are you up to currently?

LL: Everything! I worked as a key artist for New York Fashion Week, collaborated with Liz Collins at ICA Boston; cutting hair at the The Whitney, StyleWeek Providence, weddings, teaching at RISD-CE, enjoying the heck out of Providence’s vintage inspired nightlife scene, but most importantly… the new home of Providence Pin-up just opened! It’s called Suite Tart. It’s the perfect marriage of salon and photo sassiness.

BZ: We believe it is important to participate in and give back to the our community. Our primary focus is with the arts, education, women and children. We believe that we can all live out our potential through education. We support many organizations through fundraising efforts; such as Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer, Greater Providence YMCA Providence Branch PYS, Youth Pride, Aids Project RI, Habitat for Humanity, PPAC Galla, RI PBS Uncorked Auction, Gilbane Youth Education Program, PCTA, ACE (formally Textron Academy), UPAC, RI Urban League, Amos House and many more.

JS: I’m the office manager for RI Pride, so am gearing up for a fun and busy season. I’m also launching a new women’s night called Luna’s on April 27th. It’ll be every Friday at The Roots Cultural Center in downtown Providence and will feature women performers, djs, hosts, staff, non-profits, tarot readers…

V: Currently The Style Rehab is dedicating a lot of time to individual clients; it’s fantastic to see how wardrobe can have such a positive impact on people and that’s what I want to do more of. In addition, I have been focused on volunteering in the community by teaching business attire and etiquette workshops. I have also taken a position writing about fashion for an up and coming magazine.

RP: Right now I am hosting First Fridays at Tantric nightclub, every first Friday of the month. Great place to come have fun solo or with friends and dance the night away in a safe & friendly environment. In addition to running my own business, BlueAzul, LLC, I have recently taken on a new role in Technology Education within the urban community.

PP: Let’s see…I am busy tracking the planets and writing the monthly “Get Cosmic” astrology column. Also seeing clients for personal readings. I am working with a team of artists and educators to help raise awareness about “bullying”! The project is called C.O.P.E., Circles of Peace Education, servicing COZ, a Pawtucket after school program. I am producing a Girlspot event on May 5th with the Dark Lady and Alley Cat. A Cinco De Mayo Block Party! Bringing the girls out into the city. Also bringing the commUNITY together and looking forward to working with Rande and Buck on future block party events. There is a plan for a Girlspot Pride Block Party June 16th in the making and monthly events all summer long! I am staying open minded about a permanent home for the Girlspot Saturday night event. I have a few leads and will keep you posted on that.

GET: What do you think of the solidarity of women in Rhode Island?

LL: It’s really quite amazing. When a group of women come together with a singular purpose incredible things happen.

BZ: We would love to see more solidarity with women in Rhode Island. We are all so busy but it would be great to join forces with other women and support each other.

JS: I’m grateful that V-Day has a strong presence in Providence, but generally I’d like to feel more solidarity with my fellow RI women. Celebrations of femininity should be happening more often around here.

V: It’s important to understand that we are part of the same community, that we have the same struggles and celebrate the same successes as a class of people. Therefore, I think it’s not only really great, but it’s also necessary to have a sense of oneness. However, I must also say that solidarity doesn’t exist everywhere amongst the women of Rhode Island and it’s really sad because at some point we must comprehend that there is strength in numbers.

RP: I experience solidarity with women in RI because, though I cater to all genders, the majority of my company’s following is female. Moving forward I am also looking forward to building strong relationships with other women who run businesses and organizations and collaborating on various projects.

PP: In the context of the GLBT community there is a sense of solidarity when talking to women in RI. Most lesbian women are concerned about the conservative national political climate and how that will impact the gay rights agenda, women’s health care issues, long term job security, and the obvious, rights to marriage. I would say RI lesbian women share a vision of hope for a non-discriminating state with appointed officials who will represent our community and pass the necessary laws that will protect our civil rights. Most women I talk to vote and are aware of what is going on in RI.

What do you think about the power of networking with women?

LL: It’s electric, almost literally! If you have a group of gals that communicate well, have similar values, and similar goals they are unstoppable. It becomes this well insulated, incredibly powerful, strong, safeguarded power supply. But, it works both ways. If the connections aren’t so good, there can be a short in the circuit or a shock as to how cruel women can be.

BZ: Networking is vital for all of us in order to thrive and grow. We can learn so much from each other through networking.

JS: We’re lucky to have some wonderful women’s organizations in this state, for example RI NOW, the Center for Women & Enterprise, Girls Rock RI, and many others working on behalf of women. You see a lot of members and volunteers from different groups at each others’ events but overall we women probably under-utilize our ability to collaborate on issues important to us. Facebook has certainly opened up the possibilities for women to stay informed and share their stuff, and it sounds like Meet-up groups are a great tool for finding like-minded women. We RI women have great potential to make amazing things happen, especially in a state our size where so many opportunities depend on who you know. I envision Luna’s to be a vehicle for networking among RI women, organizations and feminists in general.

V: In my field, networking with women is what keeps my business alive. But, aside from the great support I’ve received from women, it is wonderful to interact with other women who are goal oriented and driven. Sometimes you just need to be reminded that there are others who face the same challenges you do, as well as others that you can look to for guidance.

RP: I think the right women coming together can be very powerful. There are strengths in numbers & the more the merrier. It’s a beautiful thing when women get together. I can’t tell you how many relationships have started at my events; couples and individuals who have crossed my path who have each left a different mark. Networking is key because a world by yourself is pretty lonely.

GET: Do you see camaraderie in a bigger picture with women?

LL: Absolutely! Sometimes it feels like a man’s world out there, and I often have a giggle at the narrow focus of some marketing. Yes, as a group, we have significant portion of our population that has selected the AMAZINGLY important role of raising a family, but we are also the brilliant minds behind the strong leader/entrepreneur. While I am blessed to have a super star of a wife myself, so many men of great power have credited their spouses for having been their strength: Hitchcock and Presidents Roosevelt and Adams to name just a couple. Personally, I have an incredible community of women around me that have held me up when I was worn out, cheered me on when I attained a goal, and dried my tears when my feelings were crushed. Our solidarity may not be as outwardly obvious here in Little Rhody as it is in other communities, but there is a reserve of emotion that has always been the New England way for generations.

BZ: We would love to see more. Again we are all so busy doing our own things it is easy to get caught up, and forget that there is power in numbers. Together we can make more of a difference.

JS: I’ve often found myself seeking camaraderie with women on a larger scale. This has led me to marches in Washington, 10 yrs of the global V-Day Campaign, dozens of Ani DiFranco concerts, and many Michigan Womyn’s Music Festivals. These are wonderful places to examine bigger picture issues and meet new, interesting women from all over the world. What’s moved me most about gathering with women is the open communication, and safe space that’s created.

V: Yes, for the most part I’ve experienced an amazing sense of sisterhood and as I mentioned earlier; a lot of support. But it’s a give and take. I’ve been granted opportunities to help women whether in business or enriching their personal lives and it’s those things that make me feel like I’m part of something. I like to think that it’s how most of us live our lives, but it’s not to say I haven’t had a few experiences that made me want to remind some women that we’re on the same side.

RP: In my thoughts of the future, yes. I see a beautiful world where powerful women from all over will collaborate and make significant changes in our world. Things that people dream of and never think will happen, a group of powerful women will achieve. Stay tuned.

PP: What RI needs is a GBLT community center and a forum to bring the bigger picture into focus. The lesbian community is very loose knit but everyone seems to know who is doing what and when. Facebook has helped this along too. There are amazing and dedicated women plugging away at the social and political scene. Others like myself, cultivating the music and arts scene, and there are lots of lesbians involved in social services and women’s advocacy. The Latina women are stepping out and coming together in the arts and music scene, women of color have been loud and proud in the political and arts scene; it’s happening and the momentum is picking up. It is not only lesbians, women in general are drawn to one another for support. The silent sisterhood is a bond women share even if they can’t act on it. Overall there continues to be a looming air of hesitation, a fear women have to stand united and fight the fight. Nonetheless, feminism and the women’s movement has come a long way in fifty years, and lesbian solidarity is moving along at a slow but steady pace. Thank Goddess we have Ellen and HRC! Women in the media are on the rise and in time we will see the shift of power into the hands of women, lesbian women too!

GET: OK, you heard it. Now GET out there, women and men alike! Move that wonderful female energy in the direction it needs to go and use it to engage, and expand the potential of little Rhody! And ladies, thank you.