Number 152 Winter 2012 $9.95 Transgender Faeries in CommunityIssue 153 / Spring 2013 GIVING Submission Deadline: January 21, 2013 • Submissions upload: www.rfdmag.org/upload *From Webster’s Dictionary, 1877 * The Spring 2013 issue of RFD will focus on ways which we give as a community. We have a legacy of providing for each other and we’ve all benefited from the bounty of the gifts of others. Help us celebrate this ideal within our culture which has it’s roots in the tradition of “more if you can, less if you can’t no one turned away for lack of funds”. The roots of which go back to the Faggots and Class Struggle Conference in 1976 and probably before. And we also ask people to explore ways in which giving has given way to the expecta- tion of receiving without a lot of exploration into ways of reciprocating. We’re all aware of how we give, we get, it all comes around again. But we’ve also experienced feeling less than appreciated by people receiving our gifts and we’ve usually been aware that sometimes, you can’t expect anything in return. But it’s led to a moral question: can someone use the maxim of “less if you can’t” to mean “give nothing?” It’s a challenge to our community to look at what some folks candidly call the “vulture culture” or in more polite ways we ask ourselves “Give As You Are Able But Always Give Something”. In that vein we’re also looking for listings and updates from the Faerie tribes about upcoming events and news about their com- munity. We also welcome other communities to share their upcoming events and news. Upload articles and artwork at www.rfdmag.org/upload—as always we welcome artwork, photos and poetry in addi- tion to articles and stories. The deadline for this issue is January 21, 2013. Photo: Marcia Rubin RFD 152 Winter 2012 1 Radicals Free of Dichotomy Vol 39 No 2 #152 Winter 2012 A s someone who has recently fallen deeply in love with the radical faer- ies, I have sometimes felt like my transgender experience is largely in- visible to or misunderstood by almost everyone around me. Yet through my journey, I have met fierce transgender faerie after fierce transgender faerie. I noticed more and more that I was not alone in my feelings of invisibility. In envisioning this issue and its magickal and healing potential, it seemed clear to me that the counter-spell for invisibility, for objectification, is surely visibility and subjectification. The lens of subject-SUBJECT conscious- ness (as brought to us by the writings of Harry Hay) was established as the container for this issue. As a transgender faerie, I know that when I can speak my truths, my stories, my experiences, in an open and loving way, to someone who is open to me and loves me, that there is powerful magic that happens before me, particularly in a long-term and multiplicative fashion. The ‘theme’ section of this issue of RFD was envisioned as a platform for transgender faeries to be granted an intentional moment of visibility and subjectification. Here, transgender faeries are offered the opportunity to share whatever it is about our experiences that we desire. The editors made no attempt to define who could be considered ‘transgender,’ but rather intended that the request would result in a series of pieces written by people who identify with the term transgender, who could write about the transgen- der experience as one that they identify with, one that they have a subject- SUBJECT relationship with. This collection of poetry, personal stories, letters, personal ads, recipes, spells, photography, and artwork; is a gift, an offering, a communique, the beginning of many conversations. I am grateful to the RFD editorial team for the opportunity to put together this issue, all the transgender faeries who were bold enough to share, and to the community who will hear what the contributors of this issue have to say. Following the ‘theme’ section of the issue is a selection of general articles and poetry put together by the RFD editorial team. —Sean Minteh, co-Editrixxx (along with Lady Free An’ Fresh Now) Between the Lines2 RFD 152 Winter 2012 RFD is a reader-written journal for gay people which focuses on country living and encourages alternative lifestyles. We foster community building and network- ing, explore the diverse expressions of our sexuality, care for the environment, Radical Faerie consciousness, and nature-centered spirituality, and share experiences of our lives. RFD is produced by volunteers. We welcome your participation. The business and general production are coordinated by a collective. Features and entire issues are prepared by different groups in various places. RFD (ISSN# 0149-709X) is published quarterly for $25 a year by RFD Press, P.O. Box 302, Hadley MA 01035-0302. Postmaster: Send address changes to RFD, P.O. Box 302, Hadley MA 01035-0302 Non-profit tax exempt #62- 1723644, a function of RFD Press with office of registra- tion at 231 Ten Penny Rd., Woodbury, TN 37190. RFD Cover Price: $9.95. A regular subscription is the least expensive way to receive it four times a year. Copyright © 2012 RFD Press. The records required by Title 18 U.S.D. Section 2257 and associated with respect to this magazine (and all graphic material associated therewith on which this label appears) are kept by the custodian of records at the following location: RFD Press, 85 N Main St, Ste 200, White River Junction, VT 05001. Mail for our Brothers Behind Bars project should be sent to P.O. Box 68, Liberty TN 37095. On the Covers Front : “Messapotamia Lefae” by Emily Smith Satis Back : Collage by Violet Inside Front: Marcia Rubin Inside Back : artboydancing Production Managing Editor: Bambi Gauthier Guest Editors: Sean Minteh and Lady Free An’ Fresh Now Art Director: Matt Bucy Editor: Paul Wirhun Editor: Eric Linton Editor: Jason Schneider Prison Pages Editor: Myrlin Submission Deadlines Spring–January 21, 2013 Spring–April 21, 2013 See inside covers for themes and specifics. “Zach” by Emily Smith Satis For advertising, subscriptions, back issues and other information visit www.rfdmag.org Artists in this Issue Sigh Moon...................................4 Ricardo Nelson ..............................9 Jonathan Woolley ...........................11 Sean Minteh................................18 Emily Smith Satis......................2, 14, 21 Violet ................................8, 25, 27 Glitter......................................29 Janie Buttz..................................34 Adrain Chesser and White Eagle .............39 Stephanie Pharr.............................42 Randy Weiger...............................59 Adrian Buckmaster.......................32, 33 Sylvia London & Dave Dietz...............56, 57 Quito .....................................6, 7 *In Visible Skin* is a watercolor portraiture series by Philadelphia artist, Emily Smith Satis. Focusing on the transgender community, Satis will explore the importance of physical representation for transgendered individuals not only in the broader strokes of society, but within LGBTQ populations as well. By investigat- ing these stereotypes viewers will be confronted with the complex nature of identity, thus challenging their own beliefs of self-representation in everyday life. The exhibition will be hung at the William Way Community Center from May 10 – June 28, 2013 with the opening reception held on May 10. Please visit esmithsatis.com for more information! RFD 152 Winter 2012 3 CONTENTS Letters & Announcements ....................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Transgender Faeries in Community For Marsha P. (Pay It No Mind!) Johnson .........Qwo-Li Driskill ..................5 . .. . * - . ..the dream of wild ponies dancing –* __ . . . Quito ...........................6 Urban Gatherette at Le Petit Versailles ...........Milo Rainbow ...................9 Gender Trans-cended: From Adam and Eve to Faerie Ariel - a world of movement .........Ariel Pink Pants Vegosen .........10 My Spiracular Gender Assignment ..............FrancEs Rose Subbiondo .........14 Poem ........................................Kegan Monster .................15 Dudespeak ...................................Nico C. Beleza ..................16 Transiting Trans: An Internal Drama ............Femmy Dilemma ................17 Coming Out As A Pan-Trans-Faerie .............Oshee Eagleheart ...............18 sissy-identified faggot wolf-lady tranimal Anarchist bitch, ISO post-gender surrealist Air avatar sartorialist transformer, SEEKS mayhem-t4t-23 (West Philly) .................Trapdoor .......................20 birthright .....................................j bederven ......................23 Bionic Vagina .................................Feathers ........................24 Induction .....................................Violet ..........................25 The Faerie Effect ..............................Glitter .........................28 These Thoughts ...............................Sean Minteh ....................30 Delirium in Transit ............................Ahnika Delirium ................32 Becoming a Man with a Surprise ................Humming Bee Iva Surprise .......37 A Letter to My Cock ...........................Mushtaq .......................40 The Time 2 Heal Is Here & Now .................Altercation .....................41 Consecrating Grounds For a Triple Goddess Invocation .........Frannie Blew Mackee (a.k.a. Ms. Gender) .....42 Bird Clan KullCalls Nahema ....................Glitter .........................44 Sean Minteh’s S&M Seitan ......................Sean Minteh ....................47 From Syzygy, Beauty ...........................T Clutch Fleischmann ...........48 Bodies Without Boundaries .....................Kegan Monster .................46 trans.genderqueer.freak. ........................Wolfang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 What It’s Like Now ............................Stella Maris ....................52 Poems ........................................Day Mattar .....................53 Columns, News and Reviews Skinnyfat—A Comedy of Grand Proportions ......Leopard ........................51 Marvin R. Hiemstra: Interview ..................Franklin Abbott .................54 Easton Mountain ..............................Nomi ..........................56 Fabulous Faerie Film Festival ....................Sweet Chi & Sister Bhakti Shakti ..58 Prison Pages ..................................Myrlin .........................604 RFD 152 Winter 2012 LETTERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS Upcoming Gatherings Portraits of a Tribe, The Billys, No. CA, Dec 27, 2012 – Jan 1, 2013 Asian Faerie Gathering, Thailand, Jan 24 – Feb 3, 2013 Featherstone Faerie Gathering, Northumberland, UK, Jan 25 – Feb 4, 2013 Breitenbush Winter Gathering, OR, Feb 14-18, 2013 British Columbia Radical Faerie Camp, Squamish, BC, Canada, May 18-23, 2013 Generate Gathering, near Ukiah, CA, May 23-29, 2013 Austrian Faerie Gathering, Hochkönig, Austria, Aug 17-27, 2013 Cmen West Coast Gathering, Malibu, CA, Aug 30 – Sep 8, 2013 For more info on upcoming gatherings and the communities which host them please go to http://www.radfae.org Call for stories from the Harry Hay Conference In the upcoming issue of RFD, we’re hoping to provide some coverage of the recently held Harry Hay Conference in New York on September, 27-30, 2012. The conference which attracted people from across the United States was sponsored by the Center for Lesbian and Gay Stidues at CUNY-NY and the Harry Hay Centennial Committee. If you attended or participated in the conference be in touch with us via submissions@rfdmag.org to share your experiences. The deadline for submissions is January 21, 2013. Drawing by Sigh Moon RFD 152 Winter 2012 5 found floating in the Hudson River shortly after NYC Pride, 1992 “You are the one whose spirit is present in the dappled stars.” —Joy Harjo,” Fort Anna Mae Pictou Aquash...” Each act of war is whispered from Queen to Queen held like a lost child then released into the water below. Names float into rivers gentle blooms of African Violets. I will be the one that dangles from the side but does not let go. The police insisted you leapt into the Hudson driftwood body in sequin lace rhinestone beads that pull us to the bottom. No serious investigation—just another dead Queen. I am the one who sings Billie Holiday as a prayer song to you, Marsha P. We all choke on splintered bones, dismembered screams, the knowledge that each death is our own. I pour libations of dove’s blood, leave offerings of yam and corn to call back all of our lost spirits. Marsha P, your face glitters with Ashanti gold as you sashay across the moonscape in a ruby chariot ablaze. Sister, you drag us behind you. We are gathered on the bridge between survival and despair. I will be the one wearing gardenias in my hair, thinking about how we all go back to water. Thinking about the night you did not jump. I will make voodoo dolls of the police and other thugs, walk to the edge, watch the river rise to meet them. I will be the one with the rattlesnake that binds my left arm and in my right hand I will carry a wooden hatchet to cut away at the silence of your murder. Each of us go on, pretend to pay it no mind, bite down hard on the steel of despair. We will be the ones that gnaw off our own legs rather than let them win. We will be the ones mourning the death of yet another Queen. Girl, I will put your photo on my ancestral altar to remember all of us who never jumped. Miss Johnson, your meanings sparkle like stars dappled across the piers of the Hudson River. Gathered on the bridge we resist the water. Qwo-Li Driskill is a Cherokee Two-Spirit/Queer activ- ist, writer, and scholar also of African, Irish, Lenape, Lumbee, and Osage ascent. S/he is the author of Walking with Ghosts: Poems and the co-editor of Sovereign Erot- ics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature and Queer Indigenous Studies: Critical Interventions in Theory, Politics, and Literature. S/he lives in Chinook Territories (Portland, OR) and is an assistant professor of Queer Studies at Oregon State University. Dragonflyrising.com. For Marsha P. (Pay It No Mind!) Johnson by Qwo-Li Driskill6 RFD 152 Winter 2012 You start off shy. Thirsty for something. You’re an animal, it comes from deep But you don’t know how to describe what you need You’ve never heard the right word to name it. There is a dream you keep dreaming Night after night, alone in the forest You know you are searching for water You know there are others like you You just can’t see what they look like. Ghosts of a wild freedom When once we ran free, without the structures of now No work beyond survival No sense of time except the present No borders, no boundaries, no protection You have to remember the dream. Elusive, answerless images Cold forest, stars visible through a canopy of treetops Four sets of pony hooves in combat boots, dancing Heralding a change you have no words to describe. Alive in the city Outer shell of leather and fur Walk tough into the grainy streets Mane shaggy, fringe unsettled Wired, fired, underslept, windswept Neutered, mute, broke but not broken Under all that skin, all those layers of drag Inside an empty bag body An ever-changing battalion of souls Male, female, animal Masked by a human face and a consistent personality But then : the club Smoke like air Beats like thunder Glimmering mirror moon Leather stays on, but the first layer comes off. . .. . * - . ..the dream of wild ponies dancing –* __ . . . . by Quito RFD 152 Winter 2012 7 And then again : there you are In the quiet deep green of a sandy midnight forest Still searching for something to dull that thirst Pacing the club, making the rounds Bar void to stage to balcony to roof deck Someone lights your cigarette, but you are not there. And then : a flash Neon catching eyeball and then gone Another wild pony recognized as kin Half human, all beast Haunting, hunted The trees rush past as you begin to run Trunks blurring, birds of prey swooping Wind floats your ears, rifling your hide You are somewhere else entirely Alone, unaligned, and then suddenly not A beat comes on that moves you closer The dance begins Another layer gets shed Heads butt, jaws pass Spirit released from earthly body Sweat skin dance transcendance Keep your eyes closed : You are a pony in the night. Animal souls coupling, tripling in the dark Tearing each others skin with your teeth Tugging on feral manes Hooves smashing – grunting from deep No longer neutered – but fully realized Crescendo, raw and wild Release. A pony sets all four hooves on concrete. Emerging on a deserted beach as gray dawn breaks. Ashes in the sand Piles of ponies, spent, sweat dried The stink of fire lightly on the wind, trapped in tangled manes Gentle, tired, reduced, dawn Heartbeats and stillness. The ocean keeps going. w Photographs by QuitoNext >