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Poetry Series: Rosemary Cappello + Barbara Ruth Read Their Poetry
In this episode of Women's Consciousness Raising Hour, the first poet Rosemary Cappello reads a mixture of original poems and poems from friends and other notable poets, surrounding the theme of correspondence. Rosemary views correspondence as the most faithful way to show affection and grow closer with other poets. She also reads a poem that she wrote, in place of an angry letter, to respond to an anti-feminist book review.
The second poet, Barbara Ruth, opens with a poems about her awe for life: her experience knowing and being close to other women, seeing a solar eclipse. Her poems discuss women's issues, specifically, the tension between being a woman and having intense or maddening emotions, and the tensions women have with men. Her poems frequently invoke the power of women and call for a revolution. Furthermore, Barbara grapples with issues of valuing some lives over others, witnessing suffering, narcissism, and simple wanting. She also reads poems about her mother. -
Disquieting Muses and Women on Trial:
The Forbidden Texts of the Three MariasFor this episode of All Night Sunday with the Radio On, Suzan Shown interviews the cast and creator of Disquieting Muses: A Response to the Suicides of Women Artists, discussing the feeling of obligation to find a man, get married, and otherwise fulfill the role of what a woman is supposed to be.
Episode includes a reading of an untitled poem by Marilyn Monroe. Features a recording of Women on Trial: The Forbidden Texts of the Three Marias, a one-night only performance about the case of three women authors who wrote against Portugal's dictatorship and were subsequently put on trial. -
Lesbian Style Project: Fumio Ichikawa (Disc 2)
Alaina Zulli interviews Fumio Ichikawa, part two. She reflects on her experiences of xenophobia and colonialism, particularly in the context of the six month university exchange program that she spent in London. Then, she reflects on how she came to understand her lesbian identity, the tensions between Japanese cultural norms and gendered expectations and her identity as a lesbian, and how her identity is reflected in her style. -
Lesbian Style Project: Fumio Ichikawa (Disc 1)
Alaina Zulli interviews Fumio Ichikawa, part one. First she reflects on her experiences across her childhood and adolescence; she grew up in a small town in Kanagawa outside of Tokyo, and recounts her experience of class and gender in Japan. She also describes her difficulties adjusting to the culture and language in America as a young adult after her family moved to New York when she was 17 years old. -
Women Writers
The radio episode, which is part of the Feminist Radio Network, includes recordings from a conference panel which included the writers Maxine Kumin, Alice Walker, and Grace Paley. They discuss the challenges of being women writers, how their writing processes are affected by societal gender norms, and how important women’s stories are within the individualistic, middle-class American society where female bonding is not encouraged. This episode also includes excerpts from Living, by Grace Paley, and Everyday Use, by Alice Walker. -
Feminist Workshop: Gender Issues
Discussion of domestic relations, and how a woman agrees to certain terms when she gets married. Women do not know what they are agreeing to. They know what it is, but they do not want the details. There is a discussion of how women are programmed to inherently undermine their own thoughts, and to label them as “feelings” as opposed to facts. Further discussion on how gender issues are defined. -
Learning to Fly, Sports
Thoughts on athletics as they exist in America, and the pressure to develop oneself physically. In this radio show there is a reclamation of the “physical you.” There is also a discussion of how sports have become controlled by big business interests, they are now a plaything of the rich. This dehumanizes athletes, causing them to strive for only what can make them rich. Women's sports don't get much spectatorship and consequently don't get promotion or funding. The guests discuss how sports have also become a masculinity rite, and how winning is associated with proving one’s virility. On the other end, women athletes are pressured to prove their femininity in a masculine field. The emphasis on winning destroys athletes' bodies and spirits. Coaching forces athletes to be disciplined and to accept commands unquestioningly. The upward social mobility of sports is an illusion, and can only benefit a small portion of women and POC. The athletic system in this country is elitist, and little encouragement is given to amateurs and women. Black and women athletes have been challenging institutional sports in America. -
Women and Welfare
This episode is titled Women in Welfare and features discussions from Carol Brill, the director of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and welfare advocates Kayla Taylor, and Susan Moore. This episode covers the topics of the welfare system structure, stereotypes and myths about welfare recipients, double standards working mothers face based on class, and the classism within the social work profession. Furthermore, it includes clips from governmental proceedings related to welfare and proposed cuts to welfare benefits. It ends with a discussion on how the issues within the welfare system relate to the Women’s Liberation Movement and demands economic change from politicians who fund big business and the military while disregarding the poor through welfare cuts. -
Lesbian Nation, undated [Placenta Previa-cesarean]
Recorded by Martha Shelley in San Francisco, an unknown woman reading a poem written about the birth of her child and motherhood. -
Lesbian Nation, June 26, 1973
In this episode Martha Shelley reads a letter written by Jane Alpert. The letter discusses male vs female biology, motherhood, feminism and the feminist revolution, Gynocracies and patriarchies, as well as gender roles. -
Lesbian Nation, March 27, 1973
In this episode of Lesbian Nation Martha Shelley speaks with Isabel Miller, author of “Patience and Sarah”. They discuss Miller’s writing career, her use of a pseudonym for writing lesbian novels, and the process of getting “Patience and Sarah” published. -
Lesbian Nation, October 13, 1972
Mary Flowerpot plays a recording of Joyce Grenfell's audio drama and a continuation of the story of "Sally Lime, the Third Woman." Later, Martha Shelley interviews Karla Jay and June Rook about the book "Out of the Closet," a gay anthology of views and articles about topics including the gay experience in Cuba and a discussion of the value of the individual perspective. [Music: Bar One by Maxine Adele Feldman] -
Martha Shelley Interview, June 24, 1989
Martha Shelley is interviewed in New York in 1989. She talks about being a lesbian in New York from the 1960s, the negative views of lesbians portrayed by psychologists, the bar scene, roles and her use of a pseudonym. She talks about finding DOB, the meetings and discussions that took place, and her contributions to the Ladder. She talks about Jean Powers and other members of DOB and describes the members as mixed race, working class, couples and singles. She also talks about her political activism in terms of DOB, peace, civil rights and the Stonewall Riots, including the marches she was involved in and the speeches she made. -
Linda Lopez Interview, October 22, 1988
Linda Lopez is interviewed in 1988. She talks about growing up in the South and how she fared as a lesbian living in a conservative community. She discusses the Dallas DOB and how the membership consisted of a number of women who had been married, divorced and had kids (including herself). She talks about the custody battle she had with her parents over her son and how many women faced similar battles but with their spouses. She also talks about how she and a number of women lost their jobs when it was discovered that they were lesbians. She discusses the Dallas DOB's events.
On tape 2, she talks about the impact of the Dallas DOB in Dallas and beyond, how it inspired activism and other organizations. She talks about Rob [Shivers]' leadership and its role in DOB's strength. She discusses Dallas and the South in General - how lesbians were treated and how they lived. She talks about the need for job security, the roles and expectations of women. -
Marilyn Lamkay Interview, April 8, 1987
Marliyn Lamkay is interviewed in New York City in 1987 (it seems to continue from a previous video and is perhaps continued in another video). She talks about being a lesbian in New York and coming out to her family and professionally, her relationships and religious beliefs. She discusses lesbian roles and how she didn't fit into any of the existing roles, even in the DOB community. She discusses community building and CR groups when she was younger and how she went on to hold workshops about resources for gay and lesbian New Yorkers at Bronx Community College. She mentions New YorkDOB meetings and the influence that DOB had in the creation of subsequent lesbian groups and communities. -
Barbara Sang Interview, April 22, 1989
Barbara Sang is interveiwed in 1989. She talks about how she went through psychotherapy and attempted to live as a heterosexual woman. She discusses her role in the New York chapter of DOB as the Education Chair and the programs and events she organized as well as finding as much information as she could about gays and lesbians. She also talks about DOB in the 1960s and the privacy it afforded its members, not insisting that they come out, which was criticized by more radical movements. -
Barbara Emmerth Interview, February 21, 1988
Barbara Emmerth is interviewed in New York City in 1988. She discusses the uniqueness of coming out on West Virginia in the 1950s where there was little stigma attached to homosexuality because there was so little understanding or awareness of it. She speaks about her relationships, moving to New York City in the 1960s and her involvement with DOB (including a brief stint as the VP of the New York chapter) and with SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders). -
Bonnie, June 9, 1984 (Tape 2)
Bonnie discusses rules of conduct within the lesbian community, including domestic violence, beginning and ending relationships, identifying as butch or femme, and domestic roles. Other topics include prostitution with women and men, bisexuality, definitions of lesbianism, types of relationships, and her rules of attraction. -
Lou and Jane, November 8, 1981 (Tape 4)
Lou and Jane discuss what life is like as an interracial lesbian couple. They discuss how white "studs" feel threatened by black "studs", feeling they will steal their women. Alcoholism is briefly discussed. They also discuss having to tell lies to their family to prevent them from knowing about their sexuality.
On Side B- Jane begins with her experience as Fem lesbian, and her difficulty with what that means to her. She talks about her difficulty with coming "out", and then is interrupted by one of their children.
Lou discusses her relationship with her Fem partner (Jane), as someone who self-identifies as a Butch. She discusses her choices in life, and her commitment to her relationship, her partner, and her family. She also talks about her disillusionment with the future, and her lack of hope for change. Lou references Jane's feelings, and her hope for Jane to recognize what it means to be a Fem.
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Elaine, April 17, 1980 (Tape 1)
Discussion centers on bars in Buffalo in the late 1950s and into the 1960s, in particular Bingo -
Dorothy, October 26, 1981 (Tape 1)
Side A
Dorothy discusses lesbians in the military during World War II with regard to her friend Betty, a lesbian marine who feared her phone was tapped. She refers to it as a 'witch hunt'. Dorothy discusses lesbian bars in Buffalo in the 1940s -1950s, and talks about friendships and butch and femme roles.
Side B
Dorothy discusses her break up with her girlfriend of 13 years, Charlotte. She talks about their courtship, sexuality, home life, and their families, who were never formally told they were a couple. While talking about the break up she mentions the deed to a cottage they shared and losing personal property in the breakup. Dorothy mentions seeking help from a lawyer and a lesbian psychologist in the 1950s. Dorothy discusses that she once considered suicide after a breakup.
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Judy T., 1978
Judy discusses butch and femme identities, social interactions, and role-play within relationships. She expresses relief over how these once rigid demarcations of identity have become more flexible within the lesbian community. Later, however, she notes "class" differences that continue to striate lesbians as a social group.
The social conditions, the acceptance of lesbians, and the "openness" of homosexuals are compared between New York, Florida, and Toronto. References are made to anti-gay activist Anita Bryant and others who put social pressure on lesbians to stay closeted.
Additionally, Judy touches upon negotiating workplace discrimination and "nosy" neighbors. She briefly mentions her relationship with her family and what it was like growing up in Buffalo.
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Mary T., July 7, 1978 (Tape 1)
Side A: Mary briefly describes her childhood and family dynamics. Mary and the interviewer then discuss the first time Mary recognized being different and her thoughts on desiring women at a young age, yet not knowing about lesbianism as a concept or about the lesbian community. Mary then recalls the first time she encountered the word "lesbian" when she joined the U.S. Air Force and describes her experiences with women while in the service. Mary talks about being a lesbian in the military, the investigation into her conduct, and her dishonorable discharge. After Mary got another job, she started going to a bar in Buffalo, N.Y., and she talks about the other lesbians she met there. Mary then discovered other bars and talks about the scene as well as the role-playing of butch and femme.
Constant whirring noise that stops about 10 minutes into the recording.
Side B: Mary continues the discussion on butch and femme role-playing. She elaborates on fights, holding down jobs, and being "out." She also explains the relationships lesbians had with gay men in Buffalo, N.Y., and the bar scene dynamics of mixed, gay, or lesbian bars. Mary and the interviewer discuss gay activism and the difficulties of being involved in activism at that time. Mary also describes outings where there was a risk of being visible as a group, such as going on picnics or renting cottages. She elaborates on her experience with social dynamics like cliques and having heterosexual friends within the lesbian and gay community. Mary then expands upon the nature of her relationships with women as well as with black lesbians - racial prejudice and relationships are discussed.
Constant whirring noise that stops about 5 minutes into the recording. -
Pat, June 6, 1978 (Tape 2)
Side A: Pat talks about her childhood in North Port, N.Y., her relationship with her parents and siblings. She goes into detail about her estranged relationship with her older sister. She describes when she first knew that she was a lesbian and tells the history of her relationships with women. She starts with her first affair at age 13, with a nun from her Catholic school - Sister Eugenie - to a relationship she had with Maryann (Marty). She describes her time at nursing school in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and the gay bars she frequented until she moved to Florida with her then girlfriend. She says she moved to Buffalo, N.Y., in the late 1950s, and describes the Buffalo bar scene, mentioning Dingles, Mardi Gras, the Chesterfield, the Carousel and the Carol Hotel. Pat mentions that the Carousel was very elite, something she did not like. This leads her into a discussion on “role play†and how important it was to distinguish oneself as either a butch or a femme. She classified herself as butch, but stated that she was very uncomfortable with the label and now prefers to be less overt.
Side B: In this interview Pat talks about how she does not like or feel comfortable in the gay community. She has never identified with it, or been made to feel welcome. This is one of the reasons that she does not maintain friendships with other lesbians, unless she is having a sexual relationship with them. She mentions being victimized and physically assaulted because she was a butch lesbian. Interviewer Madeline enters the discussion, speaking about her own sexual experiences with women. Madeline classifies Pat as “untouchable,†something that Pat denies, stating that she is simply very private. She feels that sex is a necessary but not important part of a relationship; it is something that is never sought or welcomed. She is suspicious of those who claim to experience sexual pleasure, including Madeline. -
Linda, November 19, 1978 (Tape 1)
Linda talks about her relationships and the idea there are no longer clearly defined lesbian roles (i.e. butch and femme) in relationships, as there were when she first came out in the 1960s. She describes her family life growing up and when she came out to her family.