Join Sinister Wisdom for “LIVES OF COMMON LESBIANS,” a tribute of words, art, and conversation to Common Lives/Lesbian Lives, the iconic lesbian-feminist journal.
Common Lives/Lesbian Lives was a part of the vibrant rise of women’s print activism during the Women’s Liberation Movement, published by a collective of lesbians based in Iowa City, Iowa from 1980-1994. At that time, lesbians and feminists published books, newsletters, newspapers, and periodicals like Common Lives/Lesbian Lives, bringing important words and work to readers and activists.
For Circa, Sinister Wisdom, a multicultural lesbian literary journal, pays tribute to the legacy Common Lives/Lesbian Lives and the voices of common lesbians writing today with their Fall 2024 issue, “Sinister Wisdom 134: Lives of Common Lesbians.” Founded in 1976 and publishing continuously since, Sinister Wisdom preserves lesbian-feminist pasts and envisions new futures with broad and bold imagination for lesbians and queer women.
The “LIVES OF COMMON LESBIANS” virtual reading will take place on Zoom on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 5-6: 30 p.m. PT. and will include readings, stories, artwork, and conversation.
This program is suitable for all ages.
Participants
Tracy Moore is one of the founders of the quarterly Common Lives/Lesbian Lives, published from 1988-1996. In 2021 she circled round with friends from the 80s and 90s forming a collective inspired by the journal. Once again, they gathered stories, poems and art for Sinister Wisdom 134, coming out this fall!
Jo Futrell belonged to the Common Lives/Lesbian Lives collective from 1992-1996. She recently retired from a career in EEO and civil rights compliance, investigating discrimination and harassment in the workplace and mediating conflicts. She hails from Wisconsin and Iowa.
María Mínguez Arias is the author of essay collection Nombrar el cuerpo (2022), and novel Patricia sigue aquí (2018). Her work appears in anthologies and journals in the US, Spain, and Mexico. Her identity as an immigrant, queer woman, and mother writing in Spanish in the US informs her texts.
Diamond Marie Pedroza is a Hispanic American writer and self-proclaimed sapphic historian. In her work, she explores issues surrounding mental health, autism and lesbian culture. She is writing her first sapphic romance novel and hopes to release a chapbook by next year. She currently resides in south central Texas.
Dr. Everlyn Hunter has a history of leadership and board positions in the Jewish and LGBTQIA+ communities. She works professionally as an Educational/School Psychologist, and Writer/Filmmaker. Her artistic work has been shown on local television (PSAs and short documentaries) and published in both print and online publications.
Jill Spisak has recently published a small book, Witness Cremation, available at Charis Book and More in Decatur, GA. She has appeared in both SW & CLLL through the years. She competes in slam primarily at The ArtsXchange in East Point Georgia; and, she has also learned to love sailing.
Abby Lynn Bogomolny is editor of the anthology New to North America: Writing by US Immigrants, the author of three poetry collections, and one chapbook The Lighted Pull of Dreams. She’s taught poetry at Santa Rosa Junior College in Northern California where she lives and stirs the cultural soup. Visit www.abbypoetry.com.
Tess Catalano (1959-1999) was a human rights activist, singer-songwriter, and community leader from Iowa City. She sang from her soul, bringing voice to our thoughts, our loves, and our struggles…healing us, bringing us together and feeding us. She made us laugh and cry and take pride in who we are.
This reading is organized by Sinister Wisdom as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2024, presented by One Institute.
Sinister Wisdom is a multicultural lesbian literary & art journal that publishes four issues each year. Publishing since 1976, Sinister Wisdom works to create a multicultural, multi-class lesbian space. Sinister Wisdom seeks to open, consider and advance the exploration of lesbian community issues. Sinister Wisdom recognizes the power of language to reflect our diverse experiences and to enhance our ability to develop critical judgment as lesbians evaluating our community and our world.