February 21st, 2019
S. Mandisa Moore-O'Neal is a Black feminist and supporter to grassroots black women/black femme-centered organizing. These days, Mandisa is a civil rights attorney with a focus on family law, HIV De-Criminalization, criminal defense, employment discrimination and police accountability work. Her primary organizing support work is as a Black Youth Project-New Orleans' chapter member and on the Advisory board of Lift Louisiana. This story takes us back to 2006 when Mandisa was part of a group that founded the Women’s Health and Justice Initiative, an INCITE! affiliate.
this piece was produced by free feral with music by free feral, from an interview by indee mitchell and Nathalie Nia Faulk. Special thanks to Wendi Moore-O’Neal and her brother Webo O’Neal for recording a special version of "Freedom is a Constant Struggle."
February 14th, 2019
Wendi Moore O'Neal is a community activist from New Orleans who runs Jaliyah Consulting where she uses "freedom singing, story circles and group facilitation to share civil rights history, culture, and traditions". She tells us about founding [one of] the first LGBT organizations at Spelman College in the 90's.
Recently, Wendi released a documentary "This Little Light" which chronicles her process of seeking justice and making peace when she was unconstitutionally fired for marrying her wife, Mandisa. (who you’ll be hearing from in the next episode) The film was made in collaboration with Ada McMahon and has been featured in festivals all over the country, including the Smithsonian African American Film Festival. Please visit thislittlelightfilm.com to learn more.
This piece was produced by free feral with music by free, from an interview by indee mitchell and Nathalie Nia Faulk. "I Got a Right" is a piece free created as part of a short film of the same title. The song includes samples of Wendi leading a community in song. The film was made from public domain footage of the March on Washington, and features words and voices of Audre Lorde and June Jordan. The piece was created as part of a performance called Power of the Black Feminine by Junebug Productions. You can see that film here.
Also, Wendi shouts out SONG, Southerners on New Ground. They still kickin.
NOTE: Some folks reported experiencing sound issues when we first published this piece. The file has been updated.
February 11th, 2019
Season two coming at you in just a few days... Here's a little taste.
September 28th, 2016
This special episode was recorded live from the set of Alleged Lesbian Activities on the afternoon of our last performance of a sold-out run. Rachel Lee discusses the process of creating ALA with writers nelle mills and Bear Hebert, and directors indee mitchell and Bonnie Gabel, with additional commentary from performer Erin Roussel. Special thanks to Mallory Falk and Wendy Gaudin.
June 10th, 2016
Why did all the dyke bars close? What did we lose when they shut down? In this final episode of our initial podcast series we hear answers to these foundational questions from interviewees and Last Call organizers.
Want to support the creation of powerful work that documents and interrogates the legacy of New Orleans dyke bars? Check out our kickstarter at bit.ly/dykebarmusical.
Produced by Free Feral with help from Bonnie Gabel and Rachel Lee. Music by Free Feral and Peter Bowling. Featuring the voices of: Liz Simon, Alda Talley, Mary Capps, Donna Bechet-Kilbourne, Mardi Youngblood, Ellen Rabin, Maxx Sizeler, Rachel Lee, indee mitchell, Bonnie Gabel and Blu Reine.
March 3rd, 2016
Here comes the bride? For some lesbians, marriage is a tool of the patriarchy; for others it's a welcome opportunity to celebrate and gain family acceptance. In this episode we go inside four different partnerships, starting with the joyfully subversive wedding of a New Orleans dyke bar owner.
Produced by Free Feral, with support from Rachel Lee
Featuring the voices of Laura Burns, Mae Lizama, Maxx Sizeler, Donna Bechet-Kilbourne, Alda Talley, Juanita Pierre and Leslie Martinez
January 26th, 2016
Les Pierres, New Orleans' first bar owned by and operated for Black lesbians, was often so packed on the weekends that owners Juanita Pierre and Leslie Martinez had to throw open the french doors to accommodate the crowd. In this episode they share some of their favorite memories of the bar and why it was such an important space.
Featuring interviews with: Juanita Pierre, Leslie Martinez, Donna Bechet-Kilbourne, and Paula Kilbourne
January 14th, 2016
Charlene's was legendary. Open for 22 years on Elysian Fields, it was a community hub, a dance party and a training ground for budding activists. We go back to the fateful night that started it all. Featuring interviews with Dianne Schneider, Ellen Rabin, Mae Lizama, Liz Simon, Maxx Sizeler, and Alda Talley. Produced by Free Feral and Rachel Lee with music by Free Feral and Peter Bowling.
January 4th, 2016
If you wanted to drink at Brady's, you had to play by the rules. This episode goes inside one of New Orleans' first dyke bars and introduces its founder Alice Brady, a butch lesbian in a skirt and ship'n'shore blouse. Featuring interviews with Mary Capps, Alda Talley, Mardi Youngblood, Liz Simon, Mae Lizama and Ellen Rabin. Produced by Free Feral and Rachel Lee with music by Free Feral and Peter Bowling.
July 12th, 2015
In this episode we hear about the fear and excitement of entering into a dyke bar for the first time through the stories of two women. We ask: how does race shape our experience of social spaces? How did subtle and not-so-sublte interpersonal racism show up in lesbian bars? Do our intersecting identities create opportunities for solidarity across difference? Featuring the voices of: Juanita Pierre, Leslie Martinez, Alda Talley, Paula Kilbourne, Donna Bechet-Kilbourne. Produced by Free Feral and Rachel Lee with music by Free Feral and Peter Bowling