During the two days of the Supreme Court hearings regarding Prop 8 and DOMA, those of us on social networking watched our News Feeds fill with red and pink equality symbols, a special redesign of the Human Rights Campaign’s usual blue and yellow iconic logo. People swapped out their own profile ph[...]
Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category
April 4th, 2013 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: If You’re Not With Me, You’re With Me?
March 30th, 2013 - 11:46 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Human Rights Campaign: A Pink and Red Wave, Local Honors
A wave of pink and red equality symbols swept over social networking this week on Facebook and Twitter as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) gave us a symbol to represent our personal–and collective–quests for the freedom to marry. Facebook saw a surge of users uploading new profile pics wh[...]
March 21st, 2013 - 10:02 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Rewriting History
This is the third comprehensive Wedding Issue that Lavender has published for the GLBT community; the theme is “Rewriting History.” History can be written, revised, and rewritten as it is reimagined or reconsidered. Or, history can be rewritten as it is revealed. As we continue this campaign tow[...]
March 21st, 2013 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Wedding Venue: The Bachelor Farmer
The Bachelor Farmer is housed in a historic brick-and-timber warehouse located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis and serves fresh and simple food that honors Minnesota’s Nordic heritage. Though it opened in the fall of 2011, the event spaces on the second floor of The Bachelor Farmer[...]
March 21st, 2013 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Wedding Venue: Union Depot
Union Depot has an important place in American railroad history and is one of the great railroad stations of the 20th century. Prominent in St. Paul, Union Depot has recently been transformed into a state-of-the-art multimodal regional transportation hub that opened on December 8, 2012, welcoming a [...]
March 7th, 2013 - 10:02 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: An Open Letter to Minnesota Legislators
My name is Andrea Lien and I am the Managing Editor of Lavender Magazine, the magazine for the community of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT), and straight allies of the region which has been publishing since 1995. I directly manage the content of Lavender Magazine, www.lavendermagazine.com[...]
February 21st, 2013 - 10:02 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
MARRY US Campaign Marries Music and Photography for the Freedom to Marry
It’s fairly easy to see members of the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus when they’re wearing their black “MARRY US” t-shirts. Attractive and eye-catching, the attention is drawn to the big white block letters across the front of the shirts with the political statement that [...]
February 21st, 2013 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Letter from the Editor: Freedom to Marry and the Wedding Issue
With all the talk of the freedom to marry, I can’t help but reflect on Lavender’s wedding issues. This time last year, I was working on the first comprehensive wedding issue of my career. I was a basketcase over it. Everything in my life was about the wedding issue…wedding issue this, we[...]
February 7th, 2013 - 10:03 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Meet Ouie Pierre!
Check out the Ouie Pierre Photo Gallery at the end of article. Ouie Pierre is one hot dog. He’s been in ads around the world and lives in Minneapolis with his daddies. Always ready with a killer-cute look or witty BOL (Bark Out Loud) comment, you can follow him on Twitter at @OuiePierre or fin[...]
February 7th, 2013 - 10:02 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Vet Q&A: Dr. Dan Anderson
Lavender will run a Vet Q&A in our Pet Issues as well as online. If you have a question you’d like answered by a Veterinarian, email it to editor@lavendermagazine.com. Q: I was thinking of getting my dog a haircut but the cold temperatures worry me. I’ve read that sometimes the l[...]
February 7th, 2013 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: A Little Nudge
I took my own advice and talked to some people about the freedom to marry. Let me qualify that statement: I’m always talking about it, but I really talked…you know what I mean. As much as I dislike the phrase “continue the conversation,” that’s what I did. I continued the damn conversa[...]
January 10th, 2013 - 10:05 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Happy New Year
Happy New Year. The last time I wrote, I talked about the cognitive dissonance of balancing the victory of defeating the marriage amendment last November just to have the issue of same-sex marriage be dropped by legislators. We’re in a holding pattern until leadership takes the reigns and I re[...]
Winter What To Do – WHERE: Whistler, BC
Far-Flung Ski Trip: Where Else But Whistler? It’s winter and you want to get away. The Swiss Alps might not be an option, but perhaps somewhere in North America will sweep you off your feet in British Columbia, Canada. Try Whistler for downhill skiing, snowboarding, shopping, eating, drinking,[...]
Winter What To Do – WHERE: Vancouver, BC
A Look Into the Future by Andy Lien with Carson Riutta Vancouver, British Columbia. The place where so many of our favorite television shows are filmed happens to be a destination in and of itself. A winter one, even? Indeed. There’s nary a flake of snow to be found and sidewalks tend to b[...]
Winter What To Do – WHERE: Lutsen, Minnesota
Ski Near Here? Go North Itching to get out into the snow here in Minnesota? Want to get some wind as you ski down the tallest mountain in the largest ski area in the Midwest? You need to aim for Lutsen on the North Shore of Lake Superior. If you’re like me and grew up [...][...]
Winter What To Do: EVENTS
Ice Castle Mall of America North Parking Lot, Bloomington, MN through February 20, 2013 (depending on weather) Adults $10, Children (3-10) $5, Family 4-Pack (2 Adults, 2 Children $25) Open daily, see hours on website www.icecastles.com In Minnesota, “Ice Castles” might conjure images of Winter C[...]
December 13th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: The Psychology of Victory
This is a tough one to write. I’ve been chewing on this since November 7 and it’s not getting easier as time goes by. What was our victory on November 6? What will our next one be? The realization that we are no further than we were before the election is really taking root. Worse, [..[...]
MMPA Awards: Lavender Takes Ten
The Minnesota Magazine & Publishing Association (MMPA) held its annual Excellence Awards on November 1, 2012, and Lavender Media proudly accepted ten awards for elements and pieces of Lavender’s array of products that had been published between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012. Lavender,[...]
From the Editor: VOTE NO 2012: WE DID IT
We did it. Hallelujah, we did it. It would seem like the GLBT publication of the state that just defeated an amendment discriminating against the community would be dripping with victory coverage the week after the election. Clearly, it’s not. The election happened just as we were putting th[...]
November 15th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Holiday Gift Guide: Andy Lien
We Three Kings: A Stocking Full of Awesome II If I could make the Renaissance Festival last all year, it’d be to see the Danger Committee whenever I want. If I had a corporation or a cruise ship or a casino, I’d hire them as entertainment. Comprising the three-person Danger Committee, [...]
From the Editor: Coming Out
Love. Weddings. Marriage. Commitment. Coming out. They’re all right here: in these pages, on our minds, in our hearts, and on the ballot in Minnesota on November 6. QUORUM held its 19th Annual National Coming Out Day Luncheon in mid-October. As one of the inspirational speakers, Anna Min spoke t[...]
October 18th, 2012 - 10:03 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Chris Kluwe: Word Warrior, Freedom Fighter
Chris Kluwe is a 30-year old punter for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s a husband to Isabel, a father to two little girls, a bassist in Tripping Icarus, a gaming enthusiast, a Twitter phenom (@ChrisWarcraft), and a freedom fighter. Using his words to point out inequalities and inconsistencies [...]
October 18th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: The Bulldog
When I was in high school, I was called “The Bulldog” by a real-life judge on the Mock Trial circuit. I loved to debate. I would wail on and pick at your arguments until they were annihilated. It was a rush. I was good at it. One of the bigger arguments I can recall was [...][...]
October 12th, 2012 - 3:46 pm § in Published in Lavender, Writing
31 Days of Hallowonline: Wabasha Street Caves
If there are two things I dig as an internet voyeur and researcher, they are local lore and couchtrip urban exploration. Stories of haunting and intrigue in the Twin Cities and abandoned or now-demolished landmarks throw me down rabbit holes of adventure for hours. Shows on SyFy about paranormal [...]
October 4th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Lavender Love
Read issue here: Digital Edition I’m in love with this issue. Look at it. The people, the places, the pictures, the people, the people, the people. But, I have terrible timing. Just as we wrapped up the voting for the Lavender 100 and scheduled photo sessions with the Community Member[...]
September 20th, 2012 - 10:01 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Expanding the Choir
I’m sitting at my desk just hours before leaving for my first vacation since taking this job over a year ago. I’m pretty much crawling out of my skin, in a good way. I also feel a little bit sassier—fortified—in my new orange VOTE NO t-shirt. In my size. I know. They didn’t appar[...]
September 5th, 2012 - 7:46 pm § in Published in Lavender, Writing
2012 HRC Gala Dinner: Our People Working for All of Us
It’s time for the annual Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner here in the Twin Cities. Happening this Saturday, September 8, it’s the social affair of the season. Last year, we enjoyed the wit and banter of Ross Mathews. This year, the dinner will feature special guest speakers: T.R.[...]
A Cadre of Videos
I wouldn’t necessarily have guessed that my career path would include video production. Sure, my first job out of college was for Twin Cities Public Television’s corporate subsidiary that primarily focused on B2B video, but that I’d end up doing video production, myself, was not [...]
August 23rd, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Learning Curve
Working with someone who’s just out of college is hilarious. Okay, I’ll focus that to say that working with Kathleen Watson is hilarious. She’s right out of Augsburg College with a mind as sharp as her wit. She pretty much makes my head spin at times with an analysis here or an incredibl[...]
August 23rd, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Introducing: Chad Griffin, Human Rights Campaign President
The season is turning from summer to fall which signals that it’s time for the 2012 Twin Cities Human Rights Campaign Gala Dinner. This year, the climate is more charged than ever in recent history with marriage equality on our minds and in our hearts. On September 8, members and guests of[...]
August 9th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Curating Stories in Person
I may have to ask forgiveness instead of permission for this quick letter; Brent Fourre doesn’t know I’m writing this. This time last year, I’d been to a couple of Lavender events but was barely beginning to recognize the usual suspects. Then, I went to the Renaissance Festival and saw a guy w[...]
July 26th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From The Editor: The 27th Issue
This is my 27th issue. This means that I’ve got a full year’s rotation of 26 issues behind me as the Managing Editor of Lavender. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to be able to say that? Just how I’ve yearned to have at least one year behind me so that not everything [...][...]
June 28th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: Friend Request Sent – General Mills
I was able to attend the 2012 General Mills Pride Reception with a great many GLBTA members. Can we call that historic? I attended the Historic 2012 General Mills Pride Reception? Let’s go with it. What happened at that event was important. The attendees filed into the auditorium, li[...]
June 14th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
Politics: An Interview with Governor Mark Dayton
Q&A with Governor Mark Dayton: 1.) You were quite the crowd-pleaser at the Pride Parade in 2011 as the first governor of Minnesota to participate. What were your thoughts last year and can we expect to see you again at the end of this month? Everyone at the Pride Parade is so welcoming and[...]
June 14th, 2012 - 10:00 am § in Published in Lavender, Writing
From the Editor: The Pride Issue
It’s early in the morning the day our Pride Issue finishes going to press. I can remember writing a similar “From the Editor” letter when I first started this job, over 24 issues ago. The relentless two-week print schedule coupled with the round-the-clock website schedule often[...]