A-LISTS it’s a girl thing by sylvia rodemeyer
For me, November is not only for giving thanks, it is also the busiest birthday month
between a few of my closest friends and myself. So I am preparing for a month filled with birthday dinners, brunches and outings that will revolve around delicious deca- dent food, because after all, nothing says happy 27th birthday like a giant slice of red velvet cake and thick, creamy white Russian cocktails. I’m still basking in the glow of my honeymoon cruise in October. The food was so delicious, decadent and varied that I couldn’t resist indulging. Between the 24-hour room service, all-day buffets and formal dinners each night, we sailed our way through Mexico eating more food than any person ever should—and it was glorious. We took Carnival Cruise Lines to Cabo San Lucas, and while not specifically an LGBT cruise, we felt completely comfortable and the crew and other cruisers made us feel right at home. Sipping piña coladas poolside with my new wife as we floated down the Pacific was definitely the right way to begin married life. In preparation for the holiday though, I feel like eating nothing but fruits and veggies on days we’re not celebrating something.
“More important than the food, is the connection and support that ‘Friends’ Thanksgiving’ offers. I am fortunate enough to
have a great relationship with my family—immediate and ex- tended—but some of us in the group are not as accepted and this is their only Thanksgiving celebration.”
Once we got home from our honeymoon and snapped back into reality, our Novem-
ber food agenda (aka calendar) began to fill quickly. The more plans we make the more I want to starve myself in preparation for the overeating I know I’m about to partake. If I had more willpower, or any willpower at all, I would just watch what I’m eating and try to make the better choices. That will be difficult though, because in my group of friends, counting calories over the holiday season is completely discouraged. Anyone mentioning fat grams or the sugar content during any of our feasts or birthday celebra- tions are ignored, while the rest of us lick our plates and serve ourselves seconds. This is a time for being with the people you love the most after all. Besides spending time with family over Thanksgiving, the ultimate food-related
holiday, one of the events I look forward to most is our annual “Friends’ Thanksgiving.” It’s a tradition that a group of local Long Beach friends have organized to take place the weekend before Thanksgiving each year. For the past three years, 20-plus people squeeze into my friend Justin’s beautiful apartment for an evening of culinary delights
Art Du Vin Art Du Vin in Long Beach has become a romantic staple for Annie and myself throughout our relationship. It’s where we went to celebrate our engagement, where we did most of our wedding planning and it has become our go-to place for a simple date any night of the week. The intimate wine bar is super LGBT-friendly and has a great variety of red and whites to choose from. Owner Stephanie Blakeslee always has great recom- mendations and makes her own signature dips to compliment the cheeses and bread she also serves. Nothing is better than a glass of Malbec on the patio at sunset.
and witty banter. Each year the feast has a different theme, this time Justin has chosen Moroccan décor and guests are encouraged to bring a mix of traditional Thanksgiving dishes or Middle Eastern inspired dishes. I’ll be making fresh stuffed grape leaves and my wife Annie is making her famous cream cheese and garlic mashed potatoes—they aren’t necessarily Middle Eastern, but it’s a staple of any of our “Friends’ Thanksgiving” feasts. The food is always fantastic and showcases hidden cooking talents and family recipes that bring us all closer together. Some are vegetarian or vegan so its always fun to see what meat-free creations they will whip up for us, but the rest of us meat eaters will be nibbling on home cooked shwarma chicken and some Asian inspired dishes from our friend Hong. More important than the food, is the connection and support that “Friends’ Thanks-
giving” offers. I am fortunate enough to have a great relationship with my family—im- mediate and extended—but some of us in the group are not as accepted and this is their only Thanksgiving celebration. Over the years the LGBT community has become known for creating families of their choosing when their biological families are less than supportive, and I feel lucky to consider each person another member of my family.
Sylvia Rodemeyer is a writer, editor and activist. Her work has appeared in Edge, Frontiers, Blade, The Rage Monthly and countless other publications and websites. She is co-founder of the AMP Organization, a LGBTQIA arts, music and culture organi- zation. She lives in Long Beach with her wife Annie.
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RAGE monthly | NOVEMBER 2011
EATING MY WAY
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