Who's in?
(Labor Day Weekend... September 1-4)
Black Lesbians... ReUnited!
Over the years we've called into existence...
Eleven in person BLU retreats from 2009-2019!
and reclaiming our heritage from United Lesbians of African Heritage,
Fifteen Sistahfest retreats from 1991 to 2005!
So, twenty-six times, thousands of us have come together to do what we do best:
Celebrate each other...
Support each other...
Teach each other...
Empower each other...
Enjoy each other...
Laugh with each other...
And create community.
Even during the pandemic we were able to come together and continue our what we had created...
But it's time to come back together and love on each other in person!
For those who've come before... Welcome back.
For our first timers... This space is for you! Welcome home!
We're still working out many of the details, but here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions!
- Where to fly into? LAX is recommended, however, we will be closer to the Santa Barbara airport, and some have reported that Santa Barbara might be a good option. Either way, try to plan your flights so you will arrive by noon on Friday, September 1st!
- How do we get there? We are still working on our transportation plan from the LA area for a low cost (and fun) option for our out of town and our local folks!
- COVID - Although our Federal and local governments have declared that the "emergency" is past, we all remain cognizant that COVID is still with us and dangerous for some of us... Therefore we are working on a plan that will most likely include testing prior to arrival. We'll share more as we get closer to the retreat, and medical advice solidifies during the year.
- Cabins... We'll be limiting the numbers of folks in each cabin, so you only have to sleep on a top bunk... if you want to!
- Bedding! We know travelling with bedding is difficult, so for those in the cabins, we'll be providing sleeping bags at cost, which is normally around $20. You can keep the bag afterwards, or we will donate them to a non-profit for you.
- Want to do a workshop, perform at the retreat, volunteer? Just sign up here for more information!
If you haven't already, check out our registration site for more information... or keep checking our newsletters for updates!
And... right you can register for our "early bird" rates for your BLU All Access Pass...
- Cabins, Camping and RV - $399 per person.
- Private (Hotel Type) Suites $599 per person (double occupancy).
- a special Private Suites deal, sign up with your loved one, spouse, or friend, and save $50 per person.
- and we even have a payment plan for those who need more time to pay!
See you in September!
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Tonight Online!!!! ZAMI NOBLA Presents: |
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Join ZAMI NOBLA for
"Stop and Look Before You Lick & Other Things Your Mother Never Told You."
A virtual conversation on Sexual Health with Dr. Edith Biggers.
TONIGHT:
Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Time: 7:00 pm ET/ 4pm PT
This engaging and informative session will cover important aspects of sexual health and safety that often go undiscussed.
Learn about topics such as consent, communication, STI Prevention, and more, as we work towards promoting healthy and responsible sexual practices.
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and join the conversation!
Registration is required for this event.
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Happy Mother's Day from Inspire Spiritual Community |
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From Inspire:
We are LOVING gathering in community in our virtual services!
Join us for meditation, spiritual teachings, music and connection with spiritually-minded LGBTQ+ folks and allies.
One of BLU's favorite people is presenting this month's theme:
"Let it Be Easy!"
Enjoy... Sunday, May 14th, 11:30am PT
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Uh... Have you checked out Janelle Monae's Lipstick Lover yet? |
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Janelle Monáe released her new music video yesterday...
In its review, Vibe Magazine stated...
"The visual highlights the beauty of queer love and community."
And it truly does. There is something there for everyone... from a life-giving pool party, curvalicious black bodies everywhere, Janelle in a onesie, Monae sitting between the legs of a wonderful older butch, and even a little high heel shoe fetish action. And it even comes with a NSFW warning! Oh... there's a song that goes along with it as well.
Autostraddle's team of writers titled their article, "Janelle Monáe’s 'Lipstick Lover' Music Video Has Fully Melted Our Brains."
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WxW - Los Angeles LGBT Center |
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WxW: For Women. By Women., the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s free community event for LBTQ+ women, gender-expansive folks, and their allies, makes its triumphant return to the Anita May Rosenstein Campus and The Village at Ed Gould Plaza on Saturday, May 20, 12-5pm
The event features a keynote address by New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay, and will be hosted by Calypso Jeté Balmain, the winner of the first season of HBO’s Legendary.
This year’s event will support the Audre Lorde Health Program, which provides medical and mental health services, social programming, and advocacy for all who have identified as women or girls at any point in their lives.
This event is ADA accessible and will have American Sign Language interpreters for all stage programming.
The first 200 people to check-in for the event will receive a free food voucher to redeem at our participating food vendors.
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Los Angeles Area Folks...
Can you... Ride a bike? Skate? Walk?
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Join us at CicLAvia Watts
In Las Angeles, CicLAvia temporarily closes streets to car traffic and opens them to Angelenos to use as a public park. Free for all, CicLAvia connects communities to each other across an expansive city, creating a safe place to bike, walk, skate, roll, and dance through Los Angeles County.
On May 21, there will be CicLAmini... a one-mile strip that will be closed for our riding, skating, walking and discovery pleasure! This event is a pedestrian-oriented experience featuring activities sprinkled along the entire 1-2 mile open street event. You can jog, ride, bike, run, walk, skateboard, spectate and enjoy the route any way you'd like! There are usually bikes to rent if you don't have one, and food trucks and booths to enjoy. Expect things like self-guided walking tours, scavenger hunts, street games, local business engagements, and art and cultural activities for all-ages. And you can get there by Metro!
Several of us participate in CicLAvia events, and would love for you to join us on the 21st! Look for us... we'll have BLU shirts or BLU signs and would love to meet up with you!
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Saturday Morning
Black Girl Magic Yoga with Kim!
May 13th and 27th
9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET
Join Kim our resident BLU yoga teacher for a gentle yoga class... a perfect start for your weekend! Kim's class is a standout event every year at the retreat, and she's offered lead this for us on Saturday mornings to help soothe our souls, find our centers, and to get us moving!
No experience necessary, just a small space at home to move your body and connect to your breath. Last week's class got rave reviews. Do this for your own serenity and health!
Meeting ID: 548 182 9749
Or mobile -1-669-900-6833
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BLU Saturday Sobriety!
Sat. 1pm PT / 4pm ET / 8pm GST
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Navigating the detours on the road of happy destiny takes courage. Stay clean, sober and sane is possible.
Let's support one another one sober black lesbian at a time. All 12-Steppers welcome and newcomers especially welcome! Led by Akosua!
NOTE: THE NEW ZOOM Information:
Meeting ID: 829 6432 6496
Passcode: 341302
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A Tribute to Gail Christian, by Angela Harvey
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If on Wednesday, April 12th you heard a thunderous clatter… That was the trailblazing lesbian Gail Christian transitioning to be with our ancestors. Gail was one-half of the partnership known as “Lucy and Gail,” the passionate and powerful lesbian couple that landed Palm Springs 20+ years ago. Together they hosted Dinah in Color (10 years) and The Palm Springs Women’s Jazz Festival (9 years) intentionally making room for thousands of Black Lesbians to come party, network and most important listen to good music.
Gail was blazing trails long before coming to Palm Springs as a journalist. Her talents stood out as was one of a few prominent Black female journalists of her time.
Even in her early days she lived as she did upon transitioning; unapologetic, outspoken, bold, passionate, and unwavering in her thoughts and beliefs. She’d want to be remembered for her cool stance (usually with her favorite drink in hand), her signature sunglasses (she was the sun), her fiery and controversial Facebook commentaries (see loved to set fires), and her love of Jazz. Actually, Gail wouldn’t care if you didn’t remember her at all; however, she would want us all to remember to keep blazing the trail. Gail leaves to treasure her memories her wife of 20+ years, Lucy DeBardelaben, family and friends and an entire community that gave her more reason to show up and show out. She was resting in peace before she left and can now Rest in Jazz.
On a personal note, Gail was my friend, one of my biggest supporters, my producer, and my mentor. In 2010 she walked by the room where I was facilitating GROWTH at The National Black Lesbian Conference and had to pause. She later shared that she said to herself “This Bitch sounds like she knows what she’s talking about” and stood outside the door until the workshop was over. We’ve been GROWING together since there … Literally.
In her last months, she would finally allow me to do things for her. This included me being able to publicly thank her for all that she has done for our Black lesbian community and for this woman who she helped continue to GROW. She always started her conversations with me saying “You’re the only woman I know that is fantastic all the damn time.” I’ll love and remember her forever.
Take a few moments to learn more about the amazing life of Gail from the links below.
Love, Angela Harvey
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Are you on our mailing list? |
If this was forwarded to you,
or you found us on social media...
Join the mailing list so you won't miss a thing!
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Thanks for helping BLU provide for our community!
We have four methods for you:
Venmo: @blunited
Zelle: info@blacklesbiansunited.org
Or just email us and we can set something up! All donations are tax-deductible!
Thanking you in advance!
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Black Lesbians United
4859 W. Slauson Ave # 459,
Los Angeles, CA 90056
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![Janelle Monáe - Lipstick Lover [Official Music Video]](https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y7S6wLP_vsY/hqdefault.jpg)
