Issue I, Vol. 1: Feminism

Letter from the Editor

Hello, lesbian friends and friends of lesbians!

Welcome to Lyke Mag, Philadelphia’s new online lesbian magazine. Lyke is a labor of love, produced by two local journalists: myself, Raeann, and my friend and partner in crime, Izzy. Our staff includes some photographers, monthly contributors, and a web designer, all supportive of and understanding of what it means to be a lesbian in the 215 and beyond. Like Sisters, Fuse, the Dyke March, and the many other local organizations, Lyke wants to be in the vocabulary of every lesbian in the area. We will be discussing hard-hitting issues like gender and feminism, as well as the fun stuff, like embarrassing coming out stories and things to do when you’re bored. Izzy will be keeping you up to date on what’s going on in the land of lesbian entertainment, with reviews, “Dykes We Lyke,” a monthly column that focuses on important dykes throughout history. On the flip side of that, I will be zeroing in on local dykes who are moving and shaking up Philly. Rounding out Lyke will be a bit of fiction and poetry, all collaged with photographs from local dyke and dyke-friendly photographers. Sounds pretty fuckin’ cool, right?

Recreating Kate, Vol. 1

After an exhausting day of unpacking, organizing and decorating, Kate laid on the scratchy beige carpet in her new one-room apartment. Her animal friends were lined up in single-file looking at her. From left to right and standing at attention were Bob the dog, Teddy B., the nameless stuffed lizard and Sandy Bear.“I need a nap!” she said to them. She scooted a pillow under her head and closed her eyes. Outside, it was getting dark and she could hear the shouts and laughter of the twenty-somethings walking the streets, roaming from bar to bar as she and her friends had done so many times. As she thought of those days, now seeming like distant memories, she let out a heavy breath and whimpered softly. A tear fell onto her blue pillowcase and she quickly wiped her eye. She had cried so much in the past week, she wondered how much a person could cry before becoming critically dehydrated.

“Crying was not part of this evening’s agenda,” she sternly said to herself. Not that there was an agenda…the thought finished in her head. She wiped her other eye as a straggler poked its way out of her tear duct. As Kate pushed herself to her knees, she realized that crying would be the only item on the evening’s agenda if she didn’t get out of the apartment and try to make a new friend.“It’ll be fun, right?” she asked Sandy Bear. Sandy just continued to stare at her with her googly eyes and sewn-on smile. Kate was used to Sandy’s quiet disposition. “I’m glad you agree,” she said with a smile, and headed to the bathroom to get ready for her first night out in her new city. -Jenny Dugger

Question for the reader: If you ran into a person who had just moved here and was out and about on their first night out in the new city of Philly, what nightlife spots would you recommend?

Random. Passionate. Cagey – Sometimes

Kelly Burkhardt is wrapping a present.  It’s a few days before Christmas and she’s disappointed that she couldn’t find Backgammon (her first-choice gift for a friend), but she’s settled on some mind strategy game that looks all too confusing to me.  I notice her wrapping paper: a stylish, modern, funky art design in hues of brown, purple and green.  I think wrapping paper says a lot about a person, and I compliment her on the eye-catching choice. She excitedly informs me what a great deal it was, and although I don’t remember the particular amount of feet for the price, I do remember whole-heartedly agreeing and lamenting my own dollar store choice, which was stylish but not very much paper for the cheap price. As Kelly tapes up the last edge of the package, it’s clear that this woman has brains and style.