This post, Top LGBTQ+ Caribbean Destinations, was originally published on The Travel Trio, two moms and a boy.

The Caribbean’s sun-drenched islands and clear turquoise waters have long drawn travelers seeking paradise, but beyond the beauty, it’s becoming an increasingly welcoming haven for LGBTQ travelers. As more Caribbean destinations embrace inclusivity, LGBTQ-friendly spaces are blossoming—from the vibrant streets of San Juan to the luxury resorts of St. Barts.

Many islands, including Puerto Rico, Curacao, and Aruba, stand out for their progressive attitudes and offer more than just beautiful landscapes: they provide safe spaces, LGBTQ-focused events, and annual Pride celebrations where everyone can feel celebrated. Whether you’re here to unwind, explore, or dance the night away, these Caribbean destinations are ready to welcome you with open arms.

In this guide, discover the top LGBTQ+ Caribbean destinations, welcoming hotels, and annual events that make for an unforgettable getaway.

1. Puerto Rico

With a progressive stance and a lively LGBTQ scene, Puerto Rico is one of the most inclusive Caribbean destinations. San Juan’s vibrant nightlife, Condado Beach, and annual San Juan Pride make it a welcoming paradise for LGBTQ travelers.

2. Curacao

Curacao is known for its “Live and Let Live” mentality, where diversity is embraced. The island’s LGBTQ-friendly beaches, welcoming bars, and popular Curacao Pride each September showcase its commitment to inclusivity.

3. St. Martin/Sint Maarten

This island’s dual culture offers a unique LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere with European influences. Known for its friendly locals and LGBTQ-welcoming beaches like Orient Bay, St. Martin is a mix of natural beauty and open-minded charm.

4. Aruba

Aruba, or “One Happy Island,” lives up to its name with LGBTQ-friendly beaches and accommodations. With Eagle Beach and Palm Beach popular among LGBTQ visitors, Aruba offers a warm, inclusive, and laid-back vibe.

5. The Bahamas

While traditionally conservative, Nassau and Paradise Island are increasingly offering LGBTQ-safe spaces. High-end resorts and beach clubs provide a more private, welcoming experience for LGBTQ travelers.

6. Dominican Republic

Known for its rich culture and lively Colonial Zone, the Dominican Republic offers a growing LGBTQ scene, especially in Santo Domingo. The country’s Pride events and welcoming spaces make it a great option for LGBTQ travelers.

7. St. Barts

Upscale and sophisticated, St. Barts embraces diversity, especially among luxury travelers. From its secluded beaches to chic clubs, this island offers privacy and style for LGBTQ visitors seeking a high-end Caribbean escape.

8. Bermuda

Bermuda’s picturesque landscapes are complemented by its friendly attitude toward LGBTQ travelers. With events like Bermuda Pride and its welcoming hotels, Bermuda is a destination blending beauty and inclusivity.

9. Cuba

Havana’s LGBTQ-friendly clubs and annual Conga Cubana pride parade highlight Cuba’s welcoming vibe. Its rich culture, along with LGBTQ-friendly spaces in Vedado, makes Cuba an exciting and inclusive destination.

10. US Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John)

Known for its diversity, St. Croix in particular offers an LGBTQ-friendly environment with plenty of beach bars and vibrant Pride events. The USVI combines natural beauty with a relaxed, inclusive atmosphere perfect for unwinding.

Bonus: Turks and Caicos

The love of our travels, Turks and Caicos! While the islands are traditionally more reserved, it’s a beautiful and safe destination that has become more welcoming for LGBTQ travelers over the years, particularly at upscale resorts. Providenciales (Provo) is the best spot to stay, with its world-renowned Grace Bay Beach and exclusive resorts that offer a private, inclusive atmosphere. The island doesn’t host major Pride events, but LGBTQ travelers will find a warm, discreet welcome at many luxury properties and an LGBTQ-friendly ambiance in bars and restaurants. Turks and Caicos is ideal for LGBTQ travelers seeking a serene escape surrounded by natural beauty, providing an atmosphere of luxury and privacy to fully unwind.

Conclusion:

These top LGBTQ+ Caribbean destinations offer warm hospitality, incredible culture, and a sense of safety for LGBTQ travelers. Each provides a unique vibe, from vibrant nightlife to laid-back beaches, making the Caribbean one of the best regions for an LGBTQ-friendly getaway.

Whether you’re looking for romantic seclusion, exhilarating adventure, or colorful festivals, these destinations have it all. Don’t forget to pack your pride and prepare for an unforgettable vacation! For other cities around the world, check out the Top LGBTQ+ Friendly Cities Around The World.

The post Top LGBTQ+ Caribbean Destinations first appeared on Lesbian.com.

There are numerous top LGBTQ+ friendly cities around the world, each with its unique blend of acceptance, inclusivity, and vibrant communities. These cities often have visible LGBTQ+ neighborhoods, supportive legislation, LGBTQ+ oriented events, and a range of friendly establishments, including bars, clubs, cafes, and support services. While the extent of LGBTQ+ friendliness may differ, many major cities in various regions of the world have actively worked to create a more inclusive and accepting environment for the LGBTQ+ community.

Here are our favorite top LGBTQ+ friendly cities around the world:

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is a liberal and open-minded city with a long history of tolerance for LGBTQ+ people. It is home to a number of LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as the Canal Belt and De Pijp. The city also hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Amsterdam Gay Pride Parade and Festival.

2. San Francisco, USA

San Francisco is known as the gay capital of the world, and for good reason. It is home to the Castro District, one of the first openly gay neighborhoods in the world. The city also hosts numerous LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the San Francisco Pride Parade and Festival. San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community is incredibly diverse, representing a wide range of ethnicities, genders, and orientations, which adds to its inclusivity.

3. Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a diverse population. It is home to several LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as Kreuzberg and Schöneberg. The city also hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Christopher Street Day Parade and Festival.

4. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a modern and inclusive city with a welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ+ people. It is home to a number of LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as El Gaixample and Poble Sec. The city also hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Barcelona Pride Parade and Festival.

5. Toronto, Canada

Toronto is a multicultural city with a welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ+ people. It is home to quite a few LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as Church and Wellesley. The city also hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Toronto WorldPride Parade and Festival.

6. Reykjavik, Iceland

We absolutely love Iceland…especially Reykjavik! It is a super fun city to visit! That said, Iceland is known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights, and Reykjavik offers a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ travelers. Reykjavik has many LGBTQ+ friendly bars and clubs, as well as a number of LGBTQ+ owned and operated businesses. The city also hosts a number of LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the annual Reykjavik Pride Parade and Festival.

7. New York City, USA

After living in New York City for the last two decades, I can honestly say it is a very gay friendly city to visit. And a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. The city is known for its diverse population and its vibrant nightlife. It is also home to numerous LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as Greenwich Village and Chelsea. New York City is often considered one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly cities in the world, making it an excellent destination for LGBTQ+ vacationers.

8. London, England

Like New York City, London is considered to be one of the gay friendliest cities in the world. It has a large and vibrant LGBTQ+ community, and there are many gay bars, clubs, and events happening throughout the year. The city is also home to many LGBTQ+ organizations and charities, which provide support and resources to the community. In 2021, London was ranked as the second most gay-friendly city in the world by the travel website GayCities.com. The city was praised for its diverse LGBTQ+ community, its many gay-friendly hotels, businesses and attractions, and its commitment to equality and inclusion.

9. Sydney, Australia

Sydney is a modern and cultured city with a welcoming attitude towards LGBTQ+ people. It is home to several LGBTQ+ friendly neighborhoods, such as Darlinghurst and Newtown. The city also hosts LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

10. Fort Lauderdale, USA

Last, but certainly not least, is Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale is a very gay-friendly city. And actually, where I grew up…so I can attest to its gayness! It is home to one of the largest LGBTQ+ communities in the United States, and has been a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers for decades. The city has many gay-friendly neighborhoods, including Wilton Manors, which is often referred to as the “gayborhood of South Florida.” Fort Lauderdale also hosts countless LGBTQ+ events throughout the year, including the Fort Lauderdale Pride Festival and Parade.

Bonus City:

11. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is widely known as a gay-friendly city. It has a reputation for being one of the most welcoming and inclusive destinations in Mexico for the LGBTQ+ community. The city has a vibrant gay scene with numerous gay-friendly bars, clubs, and businesses, especially in the Zona Romantica neighborhood. Puerto Vallarta has a long history of LGBTQ+ acceptance, and it’s a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. The city hosts various LGBTQ+ events and festivals, including the annual Puerto Vallarta Pride event, which celebrates diversity and promotes LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. Many hotels and resorts in the area are known for being inclusive and LGBTQ+ friendly, and you’ll often find rainbow flags and signs throughout the city indicating its welcoming attitude.

And there you have it! Now get out there and travel.

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Special to Lesbian.com

Navigating the world of lesbian dating can be both exciting and daunting, especially for those new to the experience. Like any dating scenario, there are certain etiquette guidelines and unspoken rules that can help ensure a smooth and respectful experience for all parties involved. In this blog post, we’ll explore some essential DOs and DON’Ts of gay romance etiquette.

Dos You Should Consider

1. Be Authentic: Embrace your true self and don’t try to be someone you’re not. Authenticity is attractive and fosters trust and intimacy in a relationship. Share your interests, passions, and values, and encourage your partner to do the same. For example, if you are a passionate breeder of autoflower seeds, share some interesting information about your occupation/hobby with your partner.
2. Respect Boundaries: Every person has their own comfort levels and boundaries when it comes to physical and emotional intimacy. It’s crucial to respect these boundaries and never push someone beyond their limits. Communication is key, so be open and honest about your desires and expectations while also being receptive to your partner’s needs.
3. Be Mindful of Labels: Not everyone in the LGBTQ+ community feels comfortable with specific labels, and preferences can vary greatly. Avoid making assumptions about someone’s identity or orientation, and be respectful when discussing these topics. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to politely ask for clarification.
4. Embrace Diversity: The lesbian community is beautifully diverse, encompassing individuals from various backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Embrace this diversity and be open to learning about different perspectives and cultures. Avoid stereotyping or making insensitive remarks that could be perceived as offensive.
5. Practice Confidentiality: Respect your partner’s privacy and maintain confidentiality regarding personal details or the nature of your relationship, unless explicitly given permission to share. Trust is essential in any relationship, and protecting your partner’s privacy is a vital aspect of building that trust.
6. Be Supportive: Dating can be challenging, and it’s essential to be a source of support and encouragement for your partner. Offer a listening ear, provide emotional reassurance, and celebrate their successes and accomplishments, both personal and professional.

Photo by Katie Treadway on Unsplash

Don’ts You Have to Avoid

1. Don’t Make Assumptions: Avoid assumptions about gender roles, expectations, or preferences based on preconceived notions or societal stereotypes. Every person is unique, and their desires and boundaries should be respected without judgment.
2. Don’t Out Someone Without Their Consent: Outing someone without their explicit consent is a severe violation of trust and privacy. Respect your partner’s right to share or not share their identity on their own terms and in their own time.
Don’t Pressure or Rush: Dating and building a relationship should happen at a comfortable pace for both parties. Never pressure your partner into making decisions or taking steps they’re not ready for, whether it’s physical intimacy, meeting friends or family, or any other milestone.
3. Don’t Ignore Red Flags: While it’s essential to be respectful and mindful of your partner’s boundaries, it’s equally important to recognize and address any red flags or unhealthy behaviors. Trust your instincts, and don’t ignore warning signs that could potentially lead to an abusive or toxic situation.
4. Don’t Compare or Compete: Every relationship is unique, and comparing your experience to others’ or engaging in competitive behavior is counterproductive. Focus on cultivating your own connection and trust the journey you and your partner are on.
5. Don’t Be Dismissive of Experiences: The LGBTQ+ community has faced numerous challenges and discrimination throughout history. Be sensitive to these experiences and avoid dismissing or minimizing the struggles and hardships your partner or others may have faced.

Remember, every relationship is unique, and adapting the aforementioned guidelines to your specific situation with care and consideration is essential. Don’t be afraid to open up to a new person and allow yourself to get to know them with all their beauty and flaws. As you build a relationship, embrace each other’s hobbies, even the extravagant ones involving cannabis, and let platforms like Barney’s Farm USA help you nurture them!

The post Lesbian Dating Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Matthes successfully ran Lesbian News Magazine from 1994 until 2022. The Lesbian News, more commonly known as the LN, had the distinction and responsibility of being North America’s longest running lesbian publication. Founded in 1975 in Southern California by Jinx Beer, LN began as the lone voice for lesbian issues and evolved throughout the years under Matthes’ leadership to become the nation’s foremost voice for lesbians of all ages.

Some of the iconic cover stories have included names such as Melissa Etheridge, kd lang, Ellen DeGeneres, Marlee Matlin, Hillary Clinton, Toni Braxton, Lady GaGa, Katy Perry, Judith Light, and Janet McTeer.

Her numerous contributions to the LGBTQ+ community earned her a slew of recognitions and awards. She was the recipient of the 2002 Women’s Night Gay & Lesbian Center’s “Lesbian & Bisexual Women Active in Community Empowerment Award;” the 2002 “Business Alliance of Los Angeles Community Involvement Award;” the 2003 Southern California Women for Understanding “Community Service Award;” and the 2012 Vox Femina Los Angeles “Aria Award.”

A native of Los Angeles, California, Matthes graduated from Dorcey High School and attended UCLA for a brief period. She played the saxophone in high school and was a competition bowler for many years.

At the young age of fifteen, she went to work at Great Western Savings in the print shop and developed a passion for printing. By the time she was in her twenties, she purchased Superior Printers and ran it for decades. However, something else kept tugging at her heartstrings. Ella felt lesbians weren’t receiving a lot of support and visibility and wanted to do something about it. So, in 1994, she purchased Lesbian News Magazine from Deborah Bergman who had acquired it from its original owner, Jinx Beers.

Ella Matthes built a mission statement around her vision for all lesbians. “The editorial vision of the LN has always been to inform, entertain, and be of service to women who love women of all ages, economic class, and color. We hope women from all walks of life will not only find something of themselves in the LN, but also be accepting of those with differing opinions. Lesbian News is our small contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liberation movement.”

She is survived by her brother Carl Matthes and her wife Gladi Adams. Ella and Gladi had been together for 26 years and married July 13, 2013.

Donations in her name can be made to the June Mazer Archives in West Hollywood, CA.

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Diane was widely known for her effective organizing skills and witty presence in real life as well as online. This lesbian champion’s constant efforts included being a contributing writer/cartoonist for HOT WIRE magazine; archiving lesbian materials; starting/supporting women’s groups; and being able to revise any graphic she encountered to be something lesbian. Professionally she had worked as a psychiatric social worker.

She was very involved in the Lesbians of San Diego archival project, where she was interviewed several times. (See https://sdlesbians.org) She conducted the Lesbian History Project and the Women Survivors of Incest group. She was one of the founding members of Dykes on Hikes, The Lesbian Referral Services, Beautiful Lesbian Thespians, and California Women’s Art Collective. She was an early principal member of the San Diego Lesbian Organization and a collective member of both Las Hermanas and the separatist-lesbian community Califia.

Diane worked at Lambda Archives throughout the 1990s, interviewing women in order to preserve lesbian history and gathering collections. She later served as their student volunteer coordinator. Her writing and artwork was featured in various publications, including Les Talk: The Magazine for Empowering Lesbians/Womyn; the anthologies Tomboys!, and Lesbian Culture; as well as in HOT WIRE: The Journal of Women’s Music and Culture. In her later years she was devoted to the June Mazer Lesbian Archives (“Where Lesbians Live Forever!”). She had an extensive collection of lesbian-feminist materials, including videos, flyers, brochures, clippings, art, photography, correspondence, and other realia. Her personal archives offer documentation of many diverse facets of lesbian life and culture throughout the second half of the twentieth century, which was her fierce intent. (See Mazer Lesbian Archives)

This lesbomaniac’s passing is mourned by countless women-loving-women across the USA, on social media, and beyond. Women of the future will thank her for not letting us be erased.

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Just as 70-year-old writing professor Hannah Greene walks into her retirement party, she’s called to the ER because Grace, her wife of 25 years, has been in what turns out to be a fatal car accident. This was definitely not part of the plan the two had for their lives, especially since Grace was ten years younger than Hannah. The plan had been for Hannah to join her art history professor wife on a sabbatical trip to Europe. Grace would do research, and Hannah would figure out what she wanted to do in her retirement.

How does an independent, feisty lesbian adjust to both her suddenly widowed and newly retired life? How can she survive the loss of the spouse who statistically should have survived her?

Grace Period tackles these questions head-on in an intimate, witty portrayal of a woman grappling with the new and unexpected turn her life has taken. It is a tale of love, loss, and survival.

Girl Leslie and I would spend the day lying by the pool.

She and I had very different MOs. I’d wear a baseball cap and read a book or the trades. Girl Leslie would lie perfectly still, eyes closed, adjusting the angle of her chaise to follow the sun. At the end of the first day we’d done this, I compared my arm to hers. “You’ve got this golden glow, and I look like I’ve spent all my time inside,” I complained.

“You were reading,” Leslie said.
“What?”
“You need to focus.”
“The sun didn’t know I was reading.”
She tilted her head toward her tanned arm and my pale one. “I’m just saying.” “Well, that’s ridiculous.”

Over time, I accepted the inferior results of my bronzing technique. I enjoyed the weekends we spent in the desert. When it was just the three of us, my two Leslies and me, we’d all have dinner together, then Boy Leslie would go back to his writing, and Girl Leslie and I would go out dancing. Remember, this was back when there actually were lesbian bars. The ‘80s were lively, with lots of partying. Often chemically enhanced. Personally, I liked cocaine or quaaludes. Coke let you feel in charge and in control. My first agent described its industry-wide popularity this way: “L.A. is a town that makes you feel bad about yourself. Cocaine is a drug that makes you feel good about yourself.” Quaaludes were entirely different. The right amount loosened you up, let you slip inside the music, move along with it. I never understood the attraction to amyl nitrate. Poppers made my heart race, my pulse pound. I hated that feeling. And they left me with a splitting headache. Plus, they smelled like a locker room. A stuffy locker room. A stuffy boys’ locker room. But to each her own.

One crazy evening, eight of us down from L.A. had arranged to meet up at a bar. Our friend Emily was going through a breakup, and we were determined to cheer her up with an evening of dancing.

For the record, I never dated anyone I’d met in a bar. Probably because I’d never met anyone in a bar. Never picked anyone up, never even recognized if someone was hitting on me. So I don’t know why I went. Or why, when I did, I felt this anticipation that something might happen. Maybe it was just seeing all those women in one place. Back then, both here in the desert and up in L.A., lesbians were invisible most of the time, whether in or out of the closet. Going about our lives under cover during the day, definitely not a critical mass. But at night, in the bars, we saw each other. Each venue became ripe with possibility and promise.

But did I really think I’d meet someone there? Did I believe deep down? No. I just loved being around all those women. And I did love to dance.

That night in the desert, we did our best to bolster Emily’s spirits. We danced as one big group. After a while, I was sweaty and needed a break. I stood by the edge of the dance floor. A sweet-looking young woman a few feet from me motioned to a couple dancing right in front of her. She said something to me that was impossible to hear over the pounding music, so I simply answered with a nod-laugh, like I knew what she meant.

Then Emily came over. Rather, our friends AJ and Jen dragged Emily, an arm draped over each of their shoulders, to me. “I have to go home,” Emily told me. “I don’t want to go home. But I don’t have any bones.”

Ah, quaaludes. While the right amount loosened you up, too much turned you to rubber.

By this time, leaving seemed like a good idea to me, too. AJ said they could drop me off, so I looked for Girl Leslie and spotted her dancing with a tall, athletic woman she’d been eyeing since we arrived. I gave Girl Leslie the sign that I was ready to head out. She spoke into her dance partner’s ear and then came over to me.

“AJ’s giving me a ride home,” I said, handing Girl Leslie my car keys.

“Thanks. I’ll stay and get to know Tanya better,” Girl Leslie said, waving at the woman who hadn’t stopped dancing but waved back.

“I’ll bet you will,” I smiled, waving to Tanya.
Girl Leslie punched my arm.
Outside, I breathed in the quiet of the desert night after the pulsing of the loud music. My head felt encased in a pillow. As always, I experienced a twinge of regret at leaving before something good happened. Even though I knew it never would.

For more information, please visit elisabethnonas.com.

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“Sue Bird: In the Clutch,” a documentary about the WNBA superstar’s last season, lands with Wolfe Video for release on March 29.

Coming Out clip on Wolfe YouTube

The world’s largest distributor of LGBTQ+ films, Wolfe Releasing landed the North American distribution rights.

WHERE TO RENT OR BUY

• Apple TV
• Prime Video
• Fandango at Home
• WolfeOnDemand.com

Read the Variety article all about this groundbreaking athlete and this amazing documentary.

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]]> https://www.lesbian.com/wolfe-releasing-lands-sue-bird-in-the-clutch/feed/ 0 https://www.lesbian.com/hate-hate-go-away-dont-say-gay-is-dead-today/ https://www.lesbian.com/hate-hate-go-away-dont-say-gay-is-dead-today/#respond Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:47:02 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=235514 Sexual orientation and gender identity ARE BACK in Florida classrooms.

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]]> In Florida classrooms, students and teachers are permitted to engage in discussions regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, as long as such discussions are not part of formal instruction. This agreement was reached on Monday between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who contested a state law commonly referred to as “Don’t Say Gay.”

The settlement aims to provide clarity regarding permissible classroom discourse in the wake of the law’s enactment two years ago, which prohibited instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Critics of the law argued that it led to uncertainty about whether teachers could openly identify as LGBTQ+ or display rainbow symbols in their classrooms.

READ the full story on NPR.

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]]> https://www.lesbian.com/hate-hate-go-away-dont-say-gay-is-dead-today/feed/ 0 https://www.lesbian.com/navigating-mental-health-resources-and-stories-from-the-lesbian-community/ https://www.lesbian.com/navigating-mental-health-resources-and-stories-from-the-lesbian-community/#respond Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:14:57 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=235510 The lesbian community, part of the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum, faces unique mental health challenges, amplified by societal stigma, discrimination, and,...
read more

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]]> The lesbian community, part of the broader LGBTQ+ spectrum, faces unique mental health challenges, amplified by societal stigma, discrimination, and, often, a lack of culturally sensitive psychological well-being resources. The intersection of sexual orientation with other identity factors, such as race, religion, and socioeconomic status, adds layers of complexity to the emotional wellness experiences of gay individuals.


Photo by Chewy on Unsplash


The Impact of Discrimination and Stigma

Research highlights that LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of psychological disorders, with queer youth being significantly more likely than their heterosexual peers to suffer from depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Mental health is an important topic, as is responsible online gaming. The latter requires a deliberate choice of reliable platforms; the best online casino reviews can help with this, providing comprehensive information.

Stories of Resilience and Support

Despite these challenges, the lesbian and broader LGBTQ+ community is known for its resilience. Many thrive with the support of accepting families, friends, and communities. Personal stories often highlight the journey toward self-acceptance, the importance of finding supportive networks, and the transformative impact of accessing LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health care. These narratives serve as a testament to individual resilience and underscore the critical need for inclusive support systems.

Resources for Support and Care
Professional Help and Peer Support: Organizations like The Trevor Project offer 24/7 support via phone, text, or online messaging, catering specifically to LGBTQ+ youth. The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network is a healing justice organization committed to transforming mental health for queer and trans people of color, providing financial assistance for psychological well-being support, and maintaining a directory of dedicated practitioners.

• Educational and Supportive Environments: The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) Network work towards creating safe and inclusive educational environments for LGBTQ+ students, offering resources for educators and students alike.
• Understanding and Navigating Mental Health: Mental Health America offers a dedicated LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resource Center, providing insights into psychological well-being issues faced by the community, and resources for finding queer-friendly therapy and support.
• Empowerment through Knowledge and Community: The CDC’s resources for LGBTQ+ youth emphasize the importance of protective factors and supportive adults in their lives, offering guides and information to strengthen programs and research.


Photo by Ave Calvar on Unsplash

Moving Forward

The journey toward emotional health for individuals within the lesbian community is both personal and collective. Sharing stories and experiences can be a powerful tool for connection and healing. The road to better psychological well-being for lesbians and all LGBTQ+ people may be made more accessible and affirming by making the most of the tools that are already available and creating welcoming and understanding surroundings.

The information gathered from sources like Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the CDC underlines the importance of addressing psychological wellness with sensitivity to the unique experiences of the LGBTQ+ community. It ensures access to supportive resources and celebrates the inherent resilience and diversity of queer people.

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]]> https://www.lesbian.com/navigating-mental-health-resources-and-stories-from-the-lesbian-community/feed/ 0 https://www.lesbian.com/season-of-eclipse/ https://www.lesbian.com/season-of-eclipse/#respond Mon, 19 Feb 2024 20:42:06 +0000 https://www.lesbian.com/?p=235480   Season of Eclipse by Terry Wolverton special to lesbian.com In Terry Wolverton’s psychological thriller “Season of Eclipse,” Marielle Wing...
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]]>

 

Season of Eclipse

by Terry Wolverton

special to lesbian.com

In Terry Wolverton’s psychological thriller “Season of Eclipse,” Marielle Wing is a highly popular literary novelist whose triumphs on the page are matched only by her failures in finding and loving another woman. At JFK airport, she encounters a terrorist bombing; rather than running, she begins snapping photos and this brings her to the attention of Homeland Security, who insists she enter the Witness Security Program. Denied her vibrant Los Angeles life, banished to a dreary suburb of Detroit with only her cat, Dude, Marielle convinces herself that her identity shift will be temporary–and she imagines resurfacing with a blockbuster book. But once she reads her own obituary in The New York Times, she feels stripped of everything she values and utterly alone.

Please enjoy our recent conversation with Terry.

Will you begin by summarizing what Season of Eclipse is about and what made you want to tell this story? 

My previous novels have tended to take place in insular settings—a family in Bailey’s Beads, the feminist community in The Labrys Reunion, a spiritual community in Stealing Angel. I wanted to write a story that was situated in the larger world, in which events beyond the personal could have big impacts on an individual’s life.

My protagonist, Marielle Wing, has a pretty enviable existence—a successful career as a novelist, a comfortable home in the Hollywood Hills. She takes for granted it will always be this way. While waiting to check in for a flight from JFK back to Los Angeles, she witnesses a terrorist bombing; the next day Homeland Security appears on her doorstep and informs her that she must enter the Witness Security Program, surrendering her identity, her career, and her life. She is faced with the question of “who am I?” once everything that has defined her sense of self is stripped away.

You’ve explored the question of identity before, especially in Bailey’s Beads. Why do you think that’s so important to you?

A lot of late twentieth century philosophy and cultural criticism centered around whether each of us has an innate self-hood or whether the “self” we identify with is just an accumulation of projections by the people who know us and the overlays of culture. 

When I was a young and then a not-so-young adult, I clung fiercely to those behaviors, attitudes, expressions that seemed to make me “unique”—a vegetarian, an out lesbian, an artist, a feminist. That these things define “me” is a very Western, individualistic way to regard oneself; in indigenous cultures there is more identification with being part of the community. 

When my mother was dying, I saw how all the things that had been important to her, that she had taken such pride in, routines she had faithfully practiced—it all fell away, none of it was important to her. 

As a fiction writer, I’m always trying to render vivid characterization, overlaying qualities and habits that make one distinct, so it was interesting to write about Marielle, for whom all those skins are peeling away.

A colleague once asked you why you write “unlikeable” protagonists. Do you agree that you do and if so, why?

I think this is a question more likely to be asked about a female protagonist, and perhaps to be asked of a woman author who’s created that female protagonist. There is still a cultural expectation that women are supposed to be “nice,” agreeable, pliable, pleasing, to want to be liked. I’m more interested in writing women who are demanding, difficult, uncooperative, who are not merely victims of other people’s circumstances but whose actions or reactions actively contribute to the bind they’re in. These are the kinds of women I gravitate toward in my life. 

Marielle is not easy to love; she’s driven by ego and ambition and entitlement, and when she’s knocked down from her pedestal, she finds she doesn’t have the inner resources to cope. Even then she doesn’t do as she’s told, and that both gets her in big trouble and ultimately saves her.

What does the title, Season of Eclipse, mean to you?

Marielle has been used to shining her light in the world; she’s privileged, so she’s never questioned her ability or her right to do that. When she is forced to enter Witness Security, she’s told she will never again be able to be in the spotlight; if she wants to remain safe, she must live under the radar. This is the worst aspect of the situation for her; she feels her entire self has been eclipsed.

Why did you decide to set the bulk of the novel in and around Detroit?

I grew up in Detroit, so the geography and the cultural vibe are baked into me. Detroit fascinates me, its near collapse in the 1990s and 2000s, and the multiple visions for its resurrection. There’s a feistiness and inventiveness to the city I still admire. I see a parallel between Detroit and Marielle’s story—losing everything, having to figure out what’s worth preserving, and fighting to come back re-formed.

Several memorable secondary characters guide Marielle’s journey through the book. How did you imagine or find these characters?

My philosophy of characters is that they already exist, just waiting for someone to tell their story. As I was writing this book, I was open to being surprised (and therefore surprising the reader), so when characters made themselves known to me, I was eager to incorporate them. As Marielle changes, she starts to draw different people into her life than she might have when the book began, and they facilitate further change.

Several of your books, including this one, explore spiritual themes; how does this play out in your own life?

Since I was an adolescent, I’ve been interested in metaphysics, in the tools and practices that make us aware of unseen energies, the worlds beyond the material world we walk around in. This perspective helped me to make sense of growing up in a dysfunctional household and to override destructive patterns I absorbed growing up. Since 2001, I’ve taught Kundalini Yoga and consistently meditated, but I didn’t always. 

Marielle doesn’t start out with any spiritual inclinations, but as circumstances get harder for her, she begins to find the tools useful to help her navigate increasing chaos and threat. 

You’ve written other books besides novels. How does writing in other genres influence your fiction?

Poetry grounds me in image and in lyricism. I once revised a novel by hand writing it, breaking every line as if it were a line of poetry; I later reassembled it as prose, but it made me more aware of the music in the work. I also wrote a novel in poems—Embers—which taught me a lot about fractured narratives and bringing history to live.

At its best, creative nonfiction draws upon the techniques of fiction—plot, characterization, setting, theme. I believe fiction and nonfiction, invention and truth, exist on a spectrum, rather than as unbreachable opposites.

I even wrote the libretto of an opera, an adaptation of Embers, with the late jazz composer David Ornette Cherry. Writing for the stage taught me about what can be left unsaid.

I have a mercurial mind and I don’t like to keep doing the same things. I’m constantly seeking out something new to learn, new ways to test myself.

Which begs the question: what’s next?

I have a nonfiction project about women and power, a hybrid memoir/self-help text called Guru Grrrl, which I will release serially on medium.com and as a podcast later in 2024. This is an example of attempting things I haven’t done before and trying to figure out how to do them!

You’re a creative writing instructor and you’ve also edited several books. Do these activities feed your own writing or take energy and focus away from your own practice?

I’m love engaging with other people around our creative practice. Working with students and other authors is inspiring; in a metaphysical way we’re all just participating in this ongoing conversation about what it means to be human. Interacting about writing is such an intimate activity; people bring their deepest selves to the page, and I get to share that with them!

For more information: https://terrywolverton.net

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