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In this special live extended episode of Dyke Dive, host Dr. Marie Cartier welcomes Emily Bielagus and Mara Herbkersman, the owners of Ruby Fruit, a new sapphic bar in Southern California. They dive into the bar’s origin story, sharing how Emily and Mara took a leap of faith to open Ruby Fruit despite limited resources and financial challenges. They discuss the quick decisions they had to make, from decor to even the name, and the unexpected joy of creating queer community space. Tying into CIRCA 2024’s theme of Love and Revolution, we discuss the importance of maintaining queer spaces and fostering connection in these uncertain times. This episode dives into Ruby Fruit’s place in the lineage of lesbian bars, its role in the resurgence of sapphic space, and exciting future plans! 

For more information and check out their calendar of events:
The Ruby Fruit website

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

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DYKE DIVE website
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TheHomoFiles Present
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This episode was recorded a while back, but the conversation remains just as relevant and timely today.

In this episode, Dr. Marie Cartier talks with Shannon Glatz, a passionate activist reviving sapphic spaces in Long Beach. They discuss the success of Lez Dance, an event that brought together over 300 queer women of all ages, and Shannon’s mission to create inclusive spaces for lesbians. Shannon shares her journey, from coming out later in life to working in LGBT healthcare, and gives advice on how to create community-driven spaces, no matter where you are.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

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In this episode, Dr. Marie Cartier sits down with Angela Brinskele, Director of Communications for the June Mazer Lesbian Archives. They explore the rich history preserved at the Mazer, one of only two brick-and-mortar lesbian archives in the U.S. Angela shares fascinating stories about the artifacts related to lesbian bars, including rare photos, flyers, and memorabilia from bars like The Palms and The K in Long Beach. They also discuss the challenges of documenting lesbian history, particularly in decades where bar culture was essential yet dangerous for LGBTQ+ people. Angela reflects on her personal experiences in lesbian bars during the 1980s and the importance of preserving queer spaces for future generations. This episode offers a glimpse into the invaluable work of maintaining a history that might otherwise disappear.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

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We’re excited to share this episode recorded earlier in the year, featuring the inspiring work of Elena Rosa. Though her project, L Bar, is currently on hiatus, this conversation remains a vital exploration of preserving queer history through virtual spaces.

In this episode, Dr. Marie Cartier sits down with artist and creator Elena Rosa to discuss her innovative project, L Bar, a virtual world where defunct lesbian bars come to life once again. Elena talks about how the loss of physical lesbian spaces inspired her to recreate them in a virtual format, allowing users to visit bars from different cities and eras. They reflect on the historical significance of these bars as sites of community, activism, and personal transformation, while also exploring the challenges of preserving queer history in the digital age. Despite L Bar being on hiatus, its importance in documenting and honoring lesbian culture remains relevant.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

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We’re excited to bring you this conversation with long-time activist Lisa Hartouni, recorded last year. Though our connection dropped toward the end, Lisa’s stories about finding community as a young lesbian in the 1970s and 80s remain as important as ever.

In this episode, Dr. Marie Cartier speaks with Lisa Hartouni, a long-time activist in the Los Angeles and Long Beach communities. Lisa reflects on her early experiences navigating lesbian bars in Pomona and West Hollywood in the 1970s and 80s, including her encounters with police raids and finding a sense of belonging. Lisa shares how these bars provided both a vibrant community and a refuge during difficult times, despite the dangers queer people faced from law enforcement. While our connection drops toward the end, Lisa’s journey offers an insightful look into the importance of these spaces for LGBTQ+ people.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

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In this episode of DYKE DIVE, we continue our conversation with Dr. Tanya Gilbert about the legacy of lesbian bars in Chicago, their cultural significance, and how community has adapted to their decreasing numbers. The discussion also highlights how Tanya's bar, TNT Explosion, provided support for the HIV positive community . We also discuss the butch-femme dynamic  and its role within the LGBTQ+ community. Listen in for another insightful discussion on the past, present, and future of lesbian bars and their impact on the community .

Chicago bars you'd wish you'd danced in:
Shades of Gray
TNT Explosion
Club Intrigue 

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

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In the first installment of this two-part episode, Tanya Gilbert shares her experiences surrounding Chicago's lesbian bars. A bar owner herself, Tanya unveils the darker chapters of white lesbian bar segregation and her spirited fight against it. Dive into a riveting conversation about intersectionality, resistance, and community building.

Dr. Tanya Gilbert's Website: https://www.drtanyagilbert.com/ 

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

Support Us! Wear Our Merch Shop DYKE DIVE

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In the second part of Marna Deitch's interview, she talks about her move from New York to Los Angeles and her new life in the city's thriving lesbian bar scene. Marna discusses bartending at iconic bars like The Palms and The Connection, sharing humorous stories about learning how to bartend on the fly and becoming a community fixture. She also delves into her role in bringing the Dykes on Bikes back to the LA Pride Parade after a long absence. This episode highlights her passion for community, from playing on softball teams to riding motorcycles with pride, and the critical role bars played in creating safe spaces for lesbians.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

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In this episode of Dyke Dive, Dr. Marie Cartier sits down with Marna Deitch to explore her incredible journey through New York's gay bar scene in the 1980s. Marna recounts her first visits to gay bars, her process of coming out, and the life-altering decision to open her own lesbian bar, Cashmere at the Plaza Suite, in Long Island. However, her bar quickly became entangled with the mafia, and Marna shares gripping stories of mob control, protection money, and a dramatic confrontation that led her to shut the bar down. This episode offers a vivid look at the dangers and excitement of running a lesbian bar during an era when organized crime had its hands in many LGBTQ+ spaces.

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

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We return for part two of our interview with Sandy Rose, the ever-fabulous owner/manager and cherished "Mom" of The Huntress,  Orange County's iconic bar from the 80s and 90s. So pull up a chair and tune in. Welcome to part two of our podcast journey.

Bars in this Episode you'd wish you'd danced in:
The Huntress, The Happy Hour, The Gasp, Tiki Hut, The Mug,  Oxwood Inn, Que Sera, The Palms, The Frat House.

Watch this episode on YouTube  https://youtu.be/9xishGXe7-k 

The Dyke Dive, Last Call is a limited series podcast hosted by Dr. Marie Cartier.
Produced and Edited by Kimberly Esslinger

Web Resources
DYKE DIVE website
Baby, You Are My Religion
TheHomoFiles Present
Marie Cartier Website

Stay Updated! Follow us on Instagram @dykedivepodcast

Support Us! Wear Our Merch Shop DYKE DIVE