The January 1998 issue of Gay Black Female (GBF) magazine highlights various aspects of Black lesbian identity, empowerment, and visibility. Founded in 1990 by Stephanie "Dakara" Wynne, the magazine serves as a platform for creative expression and social advocacy for the Black LGBTQ+ community. The issue includes editorials, personal reflections, and essays addressing themes such as self-concept, the impact of HIV/AIDS on Black women, and historical contributions from Black women during the Harlem Renaissance. Key articles encourage self-awareness, storytelling, and solidarity to combat racism, sexism, and health crises affecting the community.
The magazine also features literary content such as short stories and poetry, discussions on self-esteem and personal growth, and historical retrospectives, such as Amanda Love's tribute to the Harlem Renaissance. In addition, the publication celebrates achievements within the Black lesbian community and offers resources like employment opportunities and personal ads, fostering connection and representation.
This group interview features former members of Herland (Peggy Johnson, Margaret Cox, Pat Reaves, Jean Kelsey, and Diane Trout Harwood) reflecting on the experiences with their involvement with Herland, an LGBTQ+ community space, highlighting the challenges and strengths of the collective consensus model used in the organization. Participants discuss the diverse backgrounds of the women involved, particularly in terms of education and class, and how the organization fostered an inclusive environment. They also discuss the AIDS crisis, Pride Parade, and Herland's role in larger LGBTQIA+ movement.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
This documentary created by Herland member Ginger McGovern, UCO Professor of History Dr. Lindsey Churchill, and UCO graduate students Jake Crystal and Mickayla Fisher, explores the creation of the lesbian feminist activist group Herland. It explores the group's connections to the ERA movement, supporting the Fox vs. Fox case, and fighting for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights -- including more creative protests like the Lower Deck Protest, counter protests against Operation Rescue in Wichita. The documentary also discusses the way the community organized and operated including the consensus model, the importance of retreats, and their legacy.
The great bulk of In Search of Healing is poetry written by the survivors of various kinds of sexual abuse from adolescence to adulthood. There are also artistic expressions of how the survivors felt and still feel. There is an abundance of resources that are manifold throughout the newsletter that include therapy and other resources for survivors to begin and continue the healing process.
An interview with Ginger McGovern, who has been involved with Herland, a women’s community and resource space in Oklahoma City, since 1986. She discusses Herland's origins, which began as a group of lesbians seeking to create a safe space and bookstore for women, particularly to provide access to lesbian literature and women’s music. Ginger shares the challenges the group faced, including fundraising difficulties and the eventual opening of the bookstore. She also describes Herland’s retreats, concerts, and its role in providing a safe environment for women, especially lesbians, in the socially conservative climate of Oklahoma during the 1980s. Over time, as mainstream bookstores and the internet began offering similar resources, Herland’s retail focus diminished, but its lending library remained a valuable community asset.
Jean Kelsey reflects on her involvement with Herland, beginning in the mid-1980s. She describes her early experiences with the organization, starting when a small group of women were working to create a bookstore. Jean served on the Herland board for several years and continued her involvement in an unofficial capacity after her time on the board. Jean highlights the importance of Herland as a safe space for women, particularly those who were often marginalized or misunderstood in the broader community. She shares how the physical location of the bookstore and social activities like retreats provided a supportive environment where women could relax and bond.
Jo Soske discusses her involvement with Herland, beginning from its early days when the collective first envisioned the creation of a women’s bookstore and resource center. The initial idea for the space, LaSalle de Femme, emerged from the collective's work on the Brazen Hussey Rag, a feminist newspaper launched in December 1981. Soske explains how members Jana Bircham and Tanya Peters discovered an empty storefront, negotiated a rent, and initiated the process of opening the bookstore. Through various fundraisers and workdays, the group worked to establish the space, despite challenges, including internal issues and financial setbacks. Soske details their role in organizing fundraising efforts, such as a campaign to pay off the bookstore's mortgage, and mentions their long-term connection with the center, including running a counseling practice there for over a decade. They also touch on the evolution of the space, its move to a new location, and its expansion into community organizing, including hosting events, retreats, and participating in Pride Parades. Through the interview, Soske reflects on their diverse roles in the group, from fundraising to volunteering, and discusses the legacy of LaSalle de Femme, later known as Herland, as a gathering place for feminist and LGBTQ+ communities.
