Bluish, you find the stone. They are the diamonds she once told you about...
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Via cromos
Strange Beauty: Chavela Vargas
When aesthetic is subversive, it is both strange and beautiful…
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Courtesy of Anna Szilagyi
Navigating the Minimal Makeup Trend as an Acne-prone Human
This message sounds appealing on the surface, and even liberating and empowering. The pervasive trend can become isolating, though, when you don’t want your natural skin to show through. Those of us with acne and scarring often take comfort in the fact that a beauty blender and some full-coverage foundation can mask our redness. Using makeup to cover my skin takes my mind off of blemishes and insecurity, and that – spending a little extra time, not less – lets me focus on living my life and getting shit done.
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Intersectional Feminism: 6 Things White Women Need to Remember
BY KYLI RODRIGUEZ-CAYRO
Dear White Women,
I’m writing to you because I know we can do better.
We, white women, have historically erased black women from the feminist narrative as long as feminism has existed. Many of our first-wave suffragettes such as Susan B. Anthony were blatant racists, and our second-wave heroes co-opted the civil rights movement to create the women’s liberation movement. That does not determine we must feel white guilt or dismiss the accomplishments of historical feminists - it just means our modern day movement has more opportunities to grow.
No more excuses, no more convenient silence, no more exclusive feminism. We must definitively and directly stand with Women of Color.
Here are 6 easy ways to practice intersectionality:
Quit It With The "Not All White Women" Nonsense
American white women failed this election; 53% of us voted for Donald Trump. I know, you didn’t vote for him personally, but drop the defense when Women of Color call us all out. It is our sole responsibility to educate our communities and initiate difficult conversations about race and privilege. As allies we must confront our loved ones, whether at holiday gatherings or on social media after your cousin shares her tenth "All Lives Matter" post of the week. I understand how disheartening these confrontations can become, but we cannot resort to inaction when we face the backlash black women experience on a daily basis. Feminism that excludes adversity faced by Women of Color is not feminism, period. Remember, our personal comfort is not and never will be paramount to another’s life.
Your Fight For Reproductive Justice Needs To Include Racial Justice
Reproductive justice encompasses more than merely birth control and abortion access. It also includes the right for Women of Color to raise their children without fear that they will fall victim to the school-to-prison pipeline, or be murdered by law enforcement for simply living while black. Fighting for body autonomy encompasses fighting against the systematic oppression People of Color endure.
I’m Sorry, But Love Alone Will Not Trump Hate
First, let me say, I am proud of you for participating in the Women’s March.
We came together and empowered millions of women, which is no small feat. However, this is just the beginning of our budding resistance.
As white women, we need to go further, faster. Ask yourself: Do you stand in solidarity with People of Color? Are you willing to join the frontline when ICE separates more families? Are you using your resources or skills to aid marginalized communities? Historically, black activists such as Angela Davis, Medgar Evers, and Marsha P. Johnson were met with police brutality, and violence, DESPITE peacefulness or positivity. The only difference between The Women’s March and Black Lives Matter Movement is racial disparity.
F*CK the normalization of white supremacy, bigotry, and high-fiving police officers. We need to be outraged, passionate, and 100% willing to support People of Color.
Stop Trying To Make Cultural Appropriation Happen, It’s Not Going To Happen
Do I need to even explain what cultural appropriation is in 2017? If you need examples, just search for images of "Ko-opted Kardashian Kornrows" or white Women’s March attendees with "Lemonade" lyric signs. You may wonder why appropriation is an important topic to address while our political system is in disarray, and here is the simple answer: Women of Color have repeatedly asked us to refrain from exploiting black culture, so let’s just refrain. You can love Beyoncé and sing along, but do not bottle up her Black Girl Magic to sell on Etsy.
Enough. Gynocentric. Feminism.
AKA, drop the trans-exclusive pussy hats and feminism that centers only women with vaginas. Juniperangelica Xiomara wrote a wonderful piece about this on Wear Your Voice. Go read it and share with your cis-identfying friends.
Lastly, just LISTEN.
How many of you hate being mansplained about sexism and your experiences? If you vigorously nodded yes, then why do you keep whitesplaining Women of Color? Race is not a tool to divide feminists, and the injustice of others does not invalidate our own experiences.
We need to be honest with each other about the problematic aspects in the feminist movement. Activism is not a performance and injustice works around-the-clock; we have benefited from our white privilege, lucky enough to not feel the impact of oppression in our day-to-day lives. Accepting that as a simple truth rather an accusation is the only way our modern day feminist movement can progress and thrive.
So, want to truly "get in formation?"
Let’s step up and support Women of Color.
Kyli Rodriguez-Cayro: Writer. Mixed Media Artist. Activist. Latina. Owner of PaperTrail Pendants. Manic Pixie Coffee Drinker.
How I Combat Shaming Comments With Sexy Self Portraits (NSFW)
BY LAURA DELARATO
I’m not going to please every single person with my online presence, and I’m certainly not out to change minds by replying back to a person who dislikes my body type or hates my opinion so much they’ll type a three paragraph response for why I’m wrong. And that’s fine. I don’t need to be liked by everyone. Nonetheless, it is surprising the cruelty that can generate when safely behind a computer screen while remarking under an alias. Dating apps, comment sections, Instagram replies — there are zero restricted areas when it comes to being a dick on the Internet.
This is not just me. This is you. This is every person (i.e.: every woman) that has decided to express themselves on a public forum. And I get it…it’s the Internet where we are just supposed to deal with it. No. We use the Internet excuse too much especially when unsolicited sexual or health conversations. I’m done replying back to idiots or having to sit with an ignorant comment from a dude on Tinder.
Below are a few images from my untitled self-portrait project dedicated to not being silent while being virtually attacked.
RELATED: Online Dating Is a Double-Edged Sword of Empowerment & Sexual Predation
Laura Delarato is a video babe and writer at Refinery29. She is a staunch body positive activist, illustrator, sex educator and painter based in Brooklyn. Her work is deeply planted within body politics, fitness, and sex education. She also loves breakfast, banishing spells, her bike, and bikinis.
Nicole Adams
11 Things You Can Do During a #DayWithoutAWoman
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014), The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015), Marys of the Sea (2016, ELJ Publications) & Xenos (2016, Agape Editions), and the editor of "A Shadow Map: An Anthology By Survivors of Sexual Assault." They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is also the founder of Yes, Poetry, as well as the managing editor for Civil Coping Mechanisms and Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in Prelude, BUST, The Atlas Review, The Feminist Wire, The Huffington Post, Columbia Journal, and elsewhere. Joanna also leads workshops at Brooklyn Poets.
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Soirart Tumblr
Luna Luna Will Not Be Striking March 8
Privilege or protest?
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Come See Luna Luna at KGB Bar in NYC March 8 for The Body As Object
12 poets, KGB Bar.
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Image Courtesy of Sudsy Sirens
Water Witchery: An Interview with Sudsy Sirens Creator, Stephanie Riden
...the magick of the joyfully macabre.
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Witchy World Roundup - March 2017
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014), The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015), Marys of the Sea (2016, ELJ Publications), & Xenos (2016, Agape Editions) and the editor of “A Shadow Map: An Anthology by Survivors of Sexual Assault” (CCM, 2017). They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is also the founder of Yes, Poetry, as well as the managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine and CCM. Some of their writing has appeared in Prelude, The Atlas Review, The Feminist Wire, BUST, Pouch, and elsewhere. They also teach workshops at Brooklyn Poets.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Huffington Post
I Stopped Taking Birth Control In the Midst of Reproductive Rights Uncertainty
The reasons a person who chooses to get or not an abortion or use or not use birth control are varied. For many the choice is not even there. The legislation may currently there in some cases but the opportunity is not. Although abortions are currently legal, there are still a multitude of reasons an individual does not have access to the procedure. There many be women who wish they could be on birth control but can’t.
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Via here.
Body-Positive & Beginner Workouts for Witches Who Hate The Gym
BY LISA MARIE BASILE
I can think of nothing worse than the gym. Full disclosure: I do GO to the gym. And I hate every second of it. I'm also wickedly allergic to the self-righteous proselytizing of pseudo-yogis and workout buffs who believe their workout is the best workout or that I MUST go Paleo, like yesterday. No, thanks, I'm good. Here's the simple reality: everyone is different in their workout goals and abilities, and everyone likes different things. You may love barre, but I find that shit unbearable. And that's OK!
If you prefer to be reading a book (or writing a book) or casting a spell, you can still get your blood going (so, you know, you stay alive). I rounded up some of the workouts I like because the instructors are down-to-earth and fun to listen to. I also tried to include instructors who are body-positive and forgiving, because if you can't do the high kick, don't do the damn high kick.
Yoga With Adrienne
Adrienne is great because she's calm, chill and encouraging — and she even cracks a few jokes here and there. She's still pretty serious, so you'll learn a lot from her and you'll learn how important it is to do this for you. And her 30-day yoga program is the best.
Blogilates 30-day flexibility challenge
I love Blogilates. Cassey is the most lively, lovely, inspiring woman — and every single video she makes is SO thoughtful and quality.
Seated Workout for People With Disabilities or Injuries
It's so important to remember that working out and ableism often go hand in hand. Here's a great, high-energy workout that people can do in their seats if they have some mobility.
Hip-Opening Yoga class
Jessamyn Stanley is amazing. She's super friendly and she busts misconceptions about yoga, making sure her viewers are comfortable and inspired. She has a bundle plan and an app — and you can get it all here.
KymNonStop's Kickboxing At Home Class
I love this woman! She's really fun to work out with — she keeps your energy high, her workouts are easy to do in a small apartment and she will WORK YOU.
Curvy Fit Club With Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham is incredible — she's been working super hard to prove that size is NOT an indicator of fitness or health. She's strong, powerful and super down-to-earth. All you need here is a low-resistance workout band.
Beginner's Belly Dance Workout
This workout is SO fun. Veena and Neena Bidasha, sisters, show you how to do some basic moves and then incorporate them into a workout. I also included another video I love.
Ab Workout....In Bed
If you're in bed all day and NOT getting up....this is it.
Workout for Arthritis
As someone with an autoimmune disorder that causes arthritis, I know the importance of keeping those knees healthy and strong. This video can help.
Standing Ab Workout with 1 Dumbbell
If you hate to workout and are bored by crunches, this workout is relatively easy and fun.
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding editor-in-chief of Luna Luna Magazine and moderator of its digital community. Her work has appeared in The Establishment, Bustle, Bust, Hello Giggles, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan and The Huffington Post, among other sites. She is the author of Apocryphal (Noctuary Press), war/lock (Hyacinth Girl Press), Andalucia (The Poetry Society of New York) and Triste (Dancing Girl Press). Her work can be found in PANK, the Tin House blog, The Nervous Breakdown, The Huffington Post, Best American Poetry, PEN American Center, The Atlas Review, and the Ampersand Review, among others. She has taught or spoken at Brooklyn Brainery, Columbia University, New York University and Emerson College. Lisa Marie Basile holds an MFA from The New School. @lisamariebasile
Photo by Lisa Marie Basile/Instagram
Luna Luna's Resistance Reading Event + Woman's March Huddle Group
BY LISA MARIE BASILE
Luna Luna Resists: Protest, Lit, Community
February 5, 5-8pm.
Luna Luna Magazine presents a night of poetry, prose and dialogue in the spirit of resistance & community support. Partnering with GAMBA Magazine at the Gamba Forest space in Brooklyn, Luna Luna will host short readings and a space for informal discussion and conversation around support, organizing and personal stories. Each reader will present 1-2 short pieces. Drinks will be available for purchase. There will be a few intermissions and time for talking. We encourage people to bring friends and family. We especially welcome women, people of color, immigrants and other marginalized groups that are at risk under the Trump administration. RSVP HERE.
READER LINEUP
Lisa Marie Basile
Monica Lewis
Rowana Abbensetts
Jessica Reidy
Shafina Ahmed
Dianca London
Trish Grisafi
Melissa Hunter Gurney
Tala Abu Rahmeh
Stephanie Valente
Mercy L. Tullis-Bukhari
Joanna Valente
Karina Vahitova
Chris Carr
Christine Stoddard
Ronna Lebo
Olivia Kate Cerrone
Deniz Ataman
Yi Wu
Nicola Maye Goldberg
Jasmine Dreame Wagner
Writer, Blogger & Journalist's Huddle — Empowerment & Action via Women's March "First We Marched Now We Huddle"
March 4, 2pm
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding editor of Luna Luna Magazine. She is the author of Apocryphal (Noctuary Press) and a few chapbooks, including Andalucia (Poetry Society of New York) and war/lock (Hyacinth Girl Press). Her work has been published in Best Small Fictions, Tarpaulin Sky, The Atlas Review, PANK, The Rumpus, Huffington Post, the Tin House blog and Ampersand Review. She's also a journalist and editor. Entropy recently named one of her essays a Best-Read for 2016.
HIDDEN: Coming out About Domestic Violence in LGBTIQ Relationships
In late 2014 Australian-based photographer Maya Sugiharto and her partner Aviva Minc began to notice the lack of mainstream media attention dedicated to domestic and family violence within the LGBTIQ community.
"There has been a huge amount of imagery and campaigns over recent years depicting heterosexual relationships where the man is the abuser," Sugiharto says, "however there was no representation of this happening within my own community, and I began to question why".
It was this curiosity that inspired Sugiharto to probe further, and the result is HIDDEN – a stirring conceptual photography project of poignant images that captures participants re-enacting situations perceived to emanate real-life scenarios of violence in LGBTIQ relationships.
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Via Instagram/LisaMarieBasile
7 Next Steps to Keep the Women's March Momentum Going
BY LISA MARIE BASILE
When I marched January 21, it was clear to me that this was a day of strength. Strength from grief, strength from exhaustion, strength from ignorance. We'd poured all our pain into that day, and we'd marched for women, immigrants and minorities. But it was also clear that the energy I witnessed must be sustained lest it become a memory, an example of our power at its best. We need now, more than ever, longevity. We can't afford to get tired and normalize Trump's regime and his cabinet's racist, sexist and xenophobic ideologies. January 21 has to be a beginning.
Gloria Steinem told Cosmo, "I have never, in my long life, seen so many people marching and demonstrating and saying, this is our government, we’re going to take it back." That says something.
See this Instagram photo by @lisamariebasile * 76 likes
But there were some problems, as we spoke of. And those problems do need to be addressed. And that's all part of the next steps. Because the Women's Marches were just the beginning. A glimpse of the power President Trump thinks he's "given" to the people. Well, We are the people. And we will have the power.
The next four years will require serious energy and activism. As Audre Lorde said, "Your silence will not protect you." Remember that.
It shouldn't need to be said, but you should always be practicing self-care (and encouraging others to do so) at times like this, as it will enable you to stay active and alert. That means...if you are burnt out, angered by social media, done dealing with energy vampires who do not understand the basic principles of human decency or sick of watching the fake news battle the real news battle Trump's media silencing...take a break. Come back when you can. But come back.
Here are 7 next steps to take:
1. Recognize that inclusivity and understanding is a necessity — and put energy into educating yourself and others.
Because I benefit from white privilege and am able-bodied, I have to realize and work on knowing when to shut up and when to speak out. Because many other people, people of color, people who have disabilities, trans people, are marginalized and silenced. It is imperative now to listen to make space for those voices so that we can all unite in solidarity, as friends and allies, to fight against oppression. I would suggest reading as much as you can. I recommend reading this piece — How to survive in intersectional feminist spaces 101— and sharing. And I'd suggest examining how race intersects with the Women's March.
See this Instagram photo by @lisamariebasile * 45 likes
2. Call congress — every single day.
Call 202-224-3121. This line can connect you to senators and representatives. Having names handy will help. Also: here's how to find your local representatives and here's more on contacting elected officials. Here is the Senate phone list and the House phone list. Know what you want to say, and have details handy about the issues you're calling about. Know that you will likely speak to someone in the office, not the person themselves.
3. Make art. Keep making art. Host political poetry readings. Collaborate.
Now is the time to use your words and your art and your vision. Whatever that means to you, do it. Do it because it is an expression. Do it because it forges community. Host a poetry night that explores politics, invite friends to make art. Seriously, get together.
4. Learn to spot fake news.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but it's 2017 and "fake news" is a legitimate term. Even worse, there's a difference between what normal, smart humans know as "fake news" and the real news that President Trump is calling "fake news." So, thank you, post-apocalyptic Twilight zone.
See this Instagram video by @lisamariebasile * 69 likes
5. Join Next Steps Salon
.This organization allows people to create meet-ups that will plan and organize for the road ahead. Sign up here. According to their site, you can make outreach plans and actions plans: "Our gatherings will focus on how we can start this process so that ultimately, we can increase the number of people willing to go to bat for social justice issues....We'll support each other in outlining concrete action plans to push forward the issues we care about as individuals."
6. Run for office, seriously.
Through She Should Run, women learn how to run for office. The organization demystifies the process and provide resources so women can run. From their site: "She Should Run’s robust Ask a Woman to Run program provides a community that encourages women to run and then connects women with resources, people and organizations who can help start their path towards public service. The She Should Run Incubator is our online program to help more women envision themselves in public leadership, and our way of providing thoughtful guidance and support for women considering a future run."
7. Join March's March 10 Actions 100 Days
Everything you need to do is clearly and easily listed out — so there's no reason not to. We'll see you over there. Let's do this.
Today, millions of people gathered in cities and towns across the world, to stand together for human rights. pic.twitter.com/aXKht13N9I
— Women's March (@womensmarch) January 22, 2017
Lisa Marie Basile is the founding editor-in-chief of Luna Luna Magazine and moderator of its digital community. Her work has appeared in The Establishment, Bustle, Greatest, Bust, Hello Giggles, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, and The Huffington Post, among other sites.