20 Years On: Why I'm Still Living for Dyke* Spaces

It's utterly delightful to be back talking about lezbiqueertrans or dyke* spaces–by which I mean all the spaces and places claimed by, associated with, and personally and socially known to lesbian, bi, queer, trans, nb, gnc, and sapphic people. Or really anyone who'd affiliate with or among these folks. Ha, just that.

These are my people and my people have lists!

So what will I write about here? Here's what drives me / what I think about daily:

• How do we know or even recognize what a queer or lesbian or trans space is? Or isn't???
• How do we know we're a lesbian or bi or queer or trans or whatever new word(s) is happening that might be able to capture who we are?
• How then do we recognize lezbiqueertrans spaces over time? And, even successfully, around the world??
• Why do dykes repeat the same codes, jokes (cough, cough, Uhauls, caribniers, and iced coffees rule these days) to declare their lesbination and lesbintentions?
• What can we learn from the innovative political geographies of dykes, including the tactics they put into play when and where?
• And how do all of the places and spaces of lezbiqueertrans people represent who they are and the worlds they desire, as much as shape who lezbiqueertrans people are and who they think they can be?

When I formally started, studying lezbiqueertrans spaces (shhhhh, it was just a touch over) twenty years ago, I was often met with a question: "why would you study lesbians“? To which I always replied with a very sincere and charming smile: “Oh, come on. Who doesn’t like to read about lesbians??“ And the inquirer would always agree.

Over 50 academic papers and a book from me, as well as dozens of interviews to date, and more books, a podcast(!!), and many more public essays on the way, I am far from done talking about or studying dyke lifeworlds. What's next on here? Me making you laugh and think on:

• Lesbian bars,
• Queer parties,
• Trans hangouts,
• Cruising spaces,
• Dating and hookup apps,
• Bookstores,
• and even some softball and so much more for good measure!

Today, more folks aren't shocked that this is wildly important geography to study. But it's also 2025. With authoritarianism and fascism on the rise, we need to hear about, make, and sustain make these spaces in their most empowering, inclusive, and creative ways, now more than ever.

Plus, I'm pretty charming and funny myself so brace for this newsletter to be so too. So here's a queer-a$$ blog about dyke* life. Gayme on.