Tokyo Wrestlingエディターズの編集後記。編集にまつわる裏話や、世界をまたぐTokyo Wrestlingフレンズからのお便りを紹介。
Personal notes from our editors. Also discover postcards from TW friends around the world!
Notes personnelles des éditrices. Découvrez aussi les messages des Tokyo Wrestling friends du monde entier.
As I'm sure you know, America's recent election results show that Barack Obama won the presidency with the overwhelming support of US voters! This is definitely cause for cheer. And yet, in other news, LGBT Americans have been dealt a blow by the passage of Proposition 8 (titled "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act") in California. The ballot initiative was approved in the general election by a slim 4% majority and promises to amend the California constitution to include, "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."
Our memory of similar events that transpired in San Francisco a few years back is still fresh. It was only this past May that the California state Supreme Court overturned a ban on same-sex marriage. In just half a year this right to marry has been repealed, and discontent is being voiced in public demonstrations throughout the Hollywood, West Hollywood, and Silver Lake areas of LA. (Incidentally, same-sex couples who married while unions were legal will continue to have their rights as legally-wedded couples recognized.)
Tokyo Wrestling, with its close ties to the LA dyke scene, definitely feels the direct impact that this news has on us. In addition, we have been hearing much about developments from The L Word's Leisha Hailey, OurChart editor Grace Moon, and other artists we have interviewed from the American dyke scene.
We will post a more detailed article soon, but for the time being, we wanted to offer to you a video taken in LA the other day by director Anna Margarita Albelo who also reported for us from the set of The L Word's Season 6.
The video below was taken at about 7pm on November 5th, when an estimated 10,000 people crowded the streets of West Hollywood for a non-violent protest.
In the days following the election as well, organized protests and marches have continued across the state of California.
※Protesting "No on 8" and "No on hate"
Also, a number of lesbian celebrities such as comedian Ellen DeGeneres and rock vocalist Melissa Etheridge, both recently wed, are openly expressing their consternation and regret at this development. One of my own personal favorites, DJ Samantha Ronson also made an open comment on the situation in her blog:
"【2 steps forward..... 2 steps back】
i guess people care more about farm animals than they do their fellow man. that's really sad to me.
yes, i am glad that the chickens will have more room and better conditions as they wait to die, but i just think it's frightening that people show more compassion for tomorrow's dinner than for the chef.
yup, miss piggy and chicken little may rest easy, but gay people in florida and california can no longer get married and gay couples in arkansas can't adopt children. g-d forbid a loving family (regardless of sexual orientation) give a needy child a home!
"
She's wonderful even when angry!
In an upcoming article, TW will soon cover more on the situation of civil unions and same-sex marriages in Europe - where country after country has been legalizing systems to protect the rights of committed gay couples. The fact that, to date, the US has been a cultural leader within the global queer scene only accentuates further what a sorrowing loss the recent election has been.
However, I would like to convey here some words from Anna Albelo: "We have no intention of staying silent regarding this matter, we will continue to speak out and are more than ready to challenge discrimination. The future starts today!"
We couldn't have said it better.
Let's all cheer on our LGBT and queer friends in California and LA!
We tried our best to incorporate as much balance as we could, given how strong our own personal passions for certain characters can be!
Who would you have selected for Number One?
...Amy from "If These Walls Could Talk 2" is luscious...but Isabelle from "The Spanish Apartment" is no shabby choice...while Corky from "Bound" would be a dream...or Graham from "But I'm a Cheerleader"... though who could ever walk away from Lucy from "D.E.B.S"!
There are too many women and not enough time!
With all these wonderful characters it really is hard to say who's any better, but the staff here at TW followed our own strict definition of "dyke" and discussed many times over who belonged where on the list (and why). For the most part, our decisions were based on the same guidelines applied in List A - that is, candidates popularly supported within dyke culture itself, and those that show a clear "dyke" lifestyle and attitude, were favored in the ranking.
With that in mind we must confess, there is one character we wish we could have put at Number One. As many of you can guess, that would be Ruka from Last Friends.
As a matter of fact, our article had already been completed by the time that Last Friends began to air, but as we watched the program we couldn't help but think, "It's HER. She's our number one!" It was thrilling to think that our own Japanese hottie would top the heavily non-Japanese chart.
The conviction and passion in Ruka's eyes, her slightly sad expression, the form of her noble and determined figure, her pure kind heart, and her lovely baby face. She's number one! However as the story progressed, it became clearer that her character was grappling with gender dysmorphia, and even while we adore her and her gray zone, we were afraid that - in the spirit of the character - Ruka herself may not appreciate being named to this list. Reluctantly, we decided to forego adding her name.
It's fun, but hard work selecting the top ten - and we know that countless sexy female characters may have been overlooked! That's why, we're working on creating next year's list based on readers' votes. More on that later!
In the meantime, we are accepting votes on this year's list through the TW community on the Mixi SNS website. Members of Mixi can share their votes, and thoughts, with us here.
ilil just recently held a renewal party at its new store in Naka-Meguro!
ilil first opened this April in Harajuku, and moved later to Naka-Meguro. The renewal celebrated was inspired by the shop's relocation from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor of the same building, right next-door to Cafe-Bar Niche!
ilil was started by Rachel, the buyer for Candy, a used and select shop found in Shinjuku's Nichome.
※Rachel (in the left picture)
ilil has come to be known for its unique ability to select the best wares from both international and Japanese designers such as 5PREVIEW and CHEN HU REN, while also attracting patrons with a real sensitivity to style. The party was a roaring success with both queer folk and fashion folk making the scene.
※fancyBOY Leo and stylist Peri
※Clea and Peri from Triple Nipples
ilil is open every Saturday. Definitely make a trip to come check it out!
Yesterday Charlotte Ronson - one of the most watched young designers in New York today - held a fashion show and after party for her 2009 spring collection here in Tokyo...and TW was there for the report!
Ronson's collection was filled with designs as girlish and cute as ever, but craftily spiked with a little extra tang - making this show her coolest yet. One thing is for sure, there's a lot to look forward to this coming spring!
Also, the invitation for the Tokyo show indicated that a "special guest from Hollywood" would make the scene - a considerable hint leading many to guess that the woman of mystery would be none other than actress and close friend to the Ronson family, Lindsay Lohan - also known for her hot connection to Charlotte Ronson's twin sister Samantha. Sure enough, Lohan was there looking absolutely gorgeous. She had just about everyone in the room transfixed from the moment she hit the runway. Lohan was charming and showered the venue with smiles the whole time.
※Designer Charlotte Ronson (left) and Lindsay Lohan walking the stage after the show. The smile radiating across Lohan's face is just adorable. The photo was taken with a cell phone, so the quality is not that great.
Naturally, the music was managed by Samantha Ronson. After the show, there was an after party at the Aoyama club, Le Baron, where - naturally -Samantha also DJ'ed at as well.
※DJ Samantha Ronson showing the room what she's got at Le Baron.
Samantha was hotter in real life than she'd ever seemed in photographs...in fact, she's TOO HOT!!!
★We'll be posting a report on Charlotte Ronson's Fashion Show...along with news on Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson in Tokyo.
Be sure to check back!
Hello, editor Asami here.
As I mentioned yesterday, I wanted to follow up and let you know about goings-on when chief editor Yuki, Miwa Tosaki of Tokyo L Girls Snap and I headed to MOTEL#203 the other day.
Every Saturday evening Motel features women DJs of truly international caliber. Last week Peri was scheduled to perform so we ran out en force to cheer her on.
※Peri Dj'ing against the backdrop of Motel's chill interior design.
Peri's music stylings stand apart from most DJ fare, with tastes centering on 80's pop and New Wave. The atmosphere in the bar was comfortable and still fully charged by the zing of queer hits thrown into the mix. Even we couldn't help but get giddy with nostalgia inspired by songs from, you know,"back then..."
Motel is the newest venture by Don Chigalliano, a leading force in Japan's lesbian scene for many years now. Chigalliano treated us to conversation about things such as the queer scene in Japan. The bar is subdued and easy, perfect for conversation, and has great drinks.
Motel also keeps some lesbian resources out for customers, such as books and magazines introduced in TW's info section and articles, as well as the GISELe with TW's Hot List.
Anyone even just looking to catch up on their Japanese L culture reading ought to check it out!
Just the other day, the notorious fashionista shop, CANDY, hosted a party to herald the first exhibition of work by fancyHIM's own resident VJ, RE:RE:RE:mojojo!
※Party for RE:RE:RE:mojojo's 1st exhibition, held at CANDY
RE:RE:RE:mojojo is a young graphic artist now gaining attention from the world over. Just recently she was featured alongside Jeremy Scott, Amie Dicke, and Nobuyoshi Araki in Authralia's Nothing Magazine, a web publication renowned for its unmatched eye for art and fashion.
※RE:RE:RE:mojojo's artwork
The exhibition brings to the walls of CANDY both past works and new creations - including a tremendous collage. CANDY will also be selling original t-shirts and other goods for the duration of the exhibition.
※T-shirts are the product of artistic collaboration between RE:RE:RE:mojojo and CANDY.
The party featured fantastic DJ delights, powered by FancyHim resident DJs Kaskay and Anita-san...in addition to the latest DJs on the scene, FancyBoy Leo and Shizuku.
※ FancyBoy Leo and Shizuku
※The ever-cute fancyBoy Leo and Shizuku; To the right: RE:RE:RE:mojojo
The exhibition lasts through Thursday, November 27.
After this party, I headed out to Motel #203 with Miwa Tozaki, the photographic artist behind TW's Tokyo L Girls Snap, and chief editor Yuki - now back from Europe.
But I'll get to writing about that tomorrow!
In my last post I wrote about Copenhagen in Denmark, but since then I made my way to the Switzerland's French speaking city of Genève, which is also home to a number of different queer establishments such as cafes, bars, and clubs. I'll be giving a more detailed report of what the city has to offer later, but first I'd like to tell you a bit about one event here in the notes section.
First, one must leave the international city of Genève for a 40 minute train ride to the similarly Francophone city of Lausanne. COmpared to the somewhat bourgeois feeling that runs through Genève, Lausanne has more of an alternative, artistic vibe running through it and here you can find Le Romandie - a live concert house known well among local rockers.
※A poster from the queer party, Kill Your Idols, held on October 4th. Guests included Mosh Mosh, a Swiss-German unit.
Le Romandie is not specifically itself a queer event space, but for the last several years the sizzling hot queer rock party, Kill Your Idols, has been held there every other month. This event features queer rock and performances, and its remarkably even mix of lesbian, gay, queer and, straight people coming to attend has really set it apart. The types of music often heard are electro, techno, rock, and alternative.
※Kill Your Idols on October 4th; Again, a tremendous success, with the club filled to capacity.
The event is organized by the very cool, and dyke, Les Filles Affranchies (The Liberated Girls), interviewed last year by TW. Unfortunately, the group disbanded this year, but they made the decision to continue with the Kill Your Idols event.
★For the Les Filles Affranchies interview, see here.
I'll be posting photographs from the event later, so be sure to check back!
★For Les Filles Affranchies, MOSH MOSH and Le Romandie's official websites (French), see the links below.
※America's transcendant rocker, Melissa Etheridge (left)
with her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.
Recently, in an interview with the TV entertainment magazine "Extra", the principled and vocal musical artist Melissa Etheridge spoke about plans she has with her long time partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels, for an official wedding ceremony.
Following the passage of the California Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act in 2003, the couple already tied the knot in a commitment ceremony but, owing to the sanctioning of same-sex marriage in California in May this year, the couple aims to now have their partnership fully recognized under the law.
Etheridge and Michaels have four children. In 2006, Michaels gave birth to twins conceived by the couple via sperm donor and Etheridge's two children from her previous relationship with Julie Cypher.
The date for the wedding has not been publicly released, but considering the possibility that the legalization of same-sex marriages may once again be overturned in November's election, many speculate that the couple will wed before then.
This announcement follows the recent wedding of comedian Ellen DeGeneres and actress Portia de la Rossi, making it likely that Etheridge and Mihaels will be the second celebrity lesbian couple to exchange nuptials. All of us at Tokyo Wrestling wish them the best in wedded bliss!
Hello! This is chief editor Yuki again.
I've a little more to report from Europe!
In my last post I mentioned the Out Games to be held next year in Copenhagen. Well, now I'd like to share with you some information on one of Copenhagen's coolest nightspots, a lounge bar & club called Jolene.
Jolene is not an exclusively lesbian venue by any means; it's a mix space where plenty of straight folks also come to hang out. However, seeing as one owner and the booking manager are both queer women, the club itself is extremely queer-friendly and a draw for gay men and women from all around.
The booking manager is DJ Djuna Barnes - Copenhagen's newest rising star - known for her next generation-ly DJ skills and cool the world over. I will go into more detail later with a Copenhagen scene report, but let it suffice to say for now that Denmark has a lot to be proud of in this renowned dyke maestro. DJ Djuna Barnes not only performs at events throughout her own country but she has performed across much of the world, and also has her own column in the Copenhagen newspaper.
I learned about Jolene from three lesbians involved in both Danish and international activism: Minna Grooss- a musician and all-round activist, her girlfriend Katleene, and the communication director for IGLYO (International Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Youth and Student Organization) Nanna Moe.
※From the left: IGLYO communications director Nanna Moe, musician & activist Minna Grooss and her girlfriend Katleene.
Minna Grooss published a book about queer life titled Homo in 2004, which won a literary award for its innovative perspective. She is currently working on a number of projects including a documentary about lesbians - which would be the first ever made in Denmark.
Thanks to the guidance of these three fabulous queer women, I had the most wonderful time in Copenhagen. I'll give you a little bit more to know, later!
The word is out. On September 22nd, Lindsay Lohan gave a public nod to the fact that she is involved in a loving relationship with Samantha Ronson.
At the time, Samantha Ronson was talking on the phone with DJ Ted Stryker from an LA radio station about a friend, when the phone changed hands. With Lohan on the line, Ted started to pose questions about "your girl" to the film and tv star, before ending the conversation with, “You and Samantha have been going out for how long now? Two years? One year? Five months? Two months?”
Lohan replied with a shy, “A long…a very long time.”
Stryker rounded out the conversation by affirming, “I hope you guys stay together, you’re a very lovely looking couple.”
Tokyo Wrestling also sends our best wishes to the sweet couple in love.
※Audio of the radio program with Ted Stryker and Lindsay Lohan.
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