Becky Ramsey

My Miserable Lonely Lesbian Pregnancy

admin — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:39:00 +0000

Andrea Askowitz doesn’t mince words, and this book’s title is just the start. In My Miserable Lonely Lesbian Pregnancy, Askowitz takes her readers on a blow-by-blow tour through her first trimester, back to her “before pregnancy” days, and then all the way through her second and third trimester, her delivery, and her postpartum period. In a blog-like style, she explains in detail her daily struggles with the decisions surrounding conception, her personal relationships, her thoughts on religious traditions, and just how much she disliked being pregnant. No detail or complaint is spared.

It isn’t often that the story gets told about the challenges encountered by single, lesbian women hoping to conceive. The many difficult decisions to be made about how to conceive are compounded by the other decisions and issues faced by women during conception and pregnancy - be they straight, gay, single or partnered. Askowitz offers an unflinching glimpse in to the tough decisions she had to make, as well as her heartache, physical pain, loneliness, and her uncertainty.

The tone of the book can be off-putting. There is little “pregnancy is beautiful” sentimentality, and readers won’t find many “I’m a tough, single woman, and I can handle this” rallying cries. The writing can also be a little disconnected at times, and the connection between one story and another not always obvious, but the story is the author’s to write, and she appears to have written it in a style that is meaningful to her. After finishing the book, which has a very strong and touching section on the postpartum period, many readers will find that they appreciate that the story wasn’t written through rose-colored glasses. Honesty is My Miserable Lonely Lesbian Pregnancy's greatest appeal.

Written by: Becky Ramsey, June 15th 2008

Lesbian Connection

admin — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:18:00 +0000

Elsie Publishing

Lesbian Connection is a ‘zine published out of East Lansing, Michigan. The reader base isn’t immediately apparent, though after one read through it might be assumed that the ‘zine is geared towards older, white lesbians. It opens with a brief introduction and some “housekeeping” items and updates. Readers can then dive right in to articles submitted by readers. The ‘zine goes on to offer a list of “contact dykes,” who are lesbians around the country and other parts of the world that welcome calls, e-mails and letters from other lesbians looking for information about their particular parts of the globe. My fellow Illinois readers might be interested to know that two contact dykes are listed for our fair state, one in Chicago and one in Rock Island.

The majority of the ‘zine is filled with letters and “bits and pieces” from readers, as well as an extensive classified section with hundreds of e-mail addresses, website URLs and mailing addresses for everything from business opportunities to real estate and accommodation ideas for the traveling lesbian. The most affecting section of the ‘zine is “Passings.” This section offers readers the opportunity to eulogize their friends and loved ones whom have passed. With photos included, these obituaries are much more detailed and personal than what was most likely printed in the local papers.

The densely packed ‘zine can be a bit overwhelming, and its contents are scattered, but, overall, Lesbian Connection is just that; an opportunity for lesbians to connect. In a world so busy and with so much to divide us, it’s nice to know that there is a circulating ‘zine that strives to provide a connection.

Written by: Becky Ramsey, July 22nd 2007

These Girls

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 02:25:00 +0000

Directed by Tahani Rached

Women Make Movies

Documentarian Tahani Rached is allowed intimate access into the lives of a tight-knit group of teenage girls living on the streets of Cairo, Egypt. This motley band of girls includes Tata, the ringleader; Danya, the self-proclaimed “fireball"; Abeer; Ze’reda; Maryam and Big Sister Hind, who offers advice and a shoulder to lean on. Although these teens are “voluntarily” homeless, viewers soon learn that they have chosen what they consider to be the lesser of two evils: the streets versus their abusive homes. The film opens with Tata riding a horse down a street crowded with cars. Surely a testament to her rebellious nature, this scene introduces a montage of scenes in which Tata scraps with men on the street, listens intently to a friend, plays, laughs and takes comfort in the arms of a friend. Her fierce, leader of the pack nature can be felt in the first few minutes of the film.

With no narration, virtually no filmmaker interaction and no judgment, viewers get a straightforward look at the horrors faced daily by these girls. Abeer is pregnant, following a gang rape, and she is unmarried and unsure of the identity of her baby’s father. Her own father has threatened her life in response. Maryam tells the story of how she fled her orphanage and was almost immediately drugged and raped in a park. She cut her hair and attempts to pass as a boy for protection. It is a constant struggle for these girls to find a safe place to sleep where they will not be harassed, raped or kidnapped and “stored” in Wheeza’s shack, a place where women are held for days, weeks or longer to be raped and possibly “scarred.” Maryam explains that protecting oneself against having her face cut and scarred is imperative, as it is a sign of shame: “If they don’t mark your face, you’re a hero.” Days and nights often drag, and the film’s pace follows suit, giving the viewers the feel of the slow, lonely times on the street. Tata and her friends sniff glue, smoke pot and take pills, admittedly, to get high and pass the time.

While it would be easy to feel completely heartbroken for these girls, and outraged by their situation, neither the film nor its stars seek pity or sympathy. In fact, while viewers will most certainly feel sympathy for these teens, they will also feel inspired by their courage, their determination, their loyalty and the joy they find in each other.

Written by: Becky Ramsey, June 27th 2007

Moments in Movement

admin — Mon, 14 May 2007 17:50:00 +0000

By Macromantics

Kill Rock Stars

Formerly Romy Hoffman, Australian rapper Macromantics has released a debut hip-hop album that will keep her listeners guessing from track to track. After discovering hip-hop on a 1995 American tour with her pop punk band Noise Addict, Miss Macro spent the next few years fine-tuning her solid rhymes and traditional beats. It’s when she veers from the traditional path, however, that the album is at its best. From the time-honored intro touting her abilities as an emcee to "Locksmith," on which she and Sage Francis intersperse rap with a collection of robotic-sounding voice recordings, to the ethereal "Love Thyself," Miss Macro keeps each tune fresh and unique.

The album’s overall feel is dark and eerie, keeping in step with the grimier hip-hop coming out of many parts of the world, most notably England. Pop culture fans will particularly appreciate the references that weave their way through the album; some obvious, some inferred. Name drops include Susan Faludi and Corey Haim, to name a few, and "Apple Crumble" is so infused with a nostalgic roller rink sound that it would tempt any listener to strap on a pair of roller skates.

Written by: Becky Ramsey, May 14th 2007