1) Natural Places
Lesbians love nature and, according to Sarah Waters, are
attracted to "earthy" women like Kate Middleton. (Nothing to do
with her being really fit then, Sarah?) Maybe that's why lesbians
always gather in places of natural beauty. Trot on down to your
local pond or park and channel your inner Virginia. Who knew algae
could be such a sapphic aphrodisiac?
2) Vegetarian restaurants
Following on from my "lesbians love nature" theory, apparently a
lot of them don't like the idea of killing animals and eating them.
Think of your local veggie place as the Cheers bar of the lesbian
world, where everyone will know your name soon enough. Order the
vegan option if you really want to earn some real lezzie street
cred.
3) Anywhere associated with bikes
Girls on bikes are hot. Fixies, racers, BMXs, you name it,
we ride it. Join a cycling group (www.girlsonbikes.net)
and consider it your fast-track to finding the one to while away
the summer days with on your bicycle made for two. Maybe steer
clear of the "dyke on a bike" phrase though, unless you want to
feel the wrath of Clare Balding.
4) Plays linked to gays
Ah plays linked to gays, I love you. However tenuous the
link to the lesbian community, girls will go out and watch it. I
once went to see Denise Black, in Roots at the Royal Exchange
Manchester. Her link is that she was Vince from Queer As Folk UK's
mother and that was all it took to draw in the girls. Also check
out anything containing Maxine Peak, and there's not a lesbian I
know who hasn't seen the acclaimed Children's Hour (www.thecomedytheatre.co.uk/)
at some point in their lives.
5) Generally male-dominated sports teams
Girls are taking up sports that are usually dominated by men
with gusto and scrumming, tackling and slogging like it's going out
of fashion. Find your local women's rugby club if you are in need
of a good ruck… (www.rfu.com/WomensRugbyPortal)
6) Bookshops
Maybe it's the musty smell that draws girls in but if you prefer
books to booze then this is a great alternative place to meet other
ladies. Also see: discussion groups, poetry slams and earnest book
readings accompanied by soya lattes. (freespace.virgin.net/gays.theword/)
7) Female comedy nights
Laughing Cows is an all-female comedy night held up and
down the country (www.laughingcowscomedy.co.uk/
) and showcases the leading talent in female comedy at the moment.
With a mixture of gay and straight comics and audience members
alike, this is a great safe and welcoming space and a lot of new
girl crushes and great comediennes have started here. Zoe Lyons
anyone? (http://www.zoelyons.co.uk/)
8) Knitting circles
Ever wanted to legitimately sit around and goss off about your
night out in the company of other craft-loving women? Join your
local stitch 'n' bitch (stitchnbitch.org/Find-a-Group/index.html)
group, get knitting some chunky knit cardis, and hope they'll be
finished for A/W2015.
9) Lesbos
Do you ever get that sinking feeling on holiday as you slowly
realise you're surrounded by burnt beer bellies and men in football
shirts? The ultimate getaway for women is of course Lesbos, the
birthplace of Sappho, and a modern day mecca for gay women. I've
heard that on Lesbos an army of Heather Peace look-a-likes greet
you from the plane and wait on you hand and foot, providing vegan
treats for all. (disclaimer: this may be a lie). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesbos
)
10) Dykon Music concerts
A little similar to plays linked to gays in the way that
it seems irrelevant whether the artist is gay or straight but more
whether they have a small link to the community or lesbians can
imagine they're gay (cf. Annie Lennox, P!nk). Also, it is
completely unimportant whether they are at all talented or
interesting. Check out PJ Harvey on tour if you want to see a truly
talented woman magnet! (www.pjharvey.net/tour.asp
)
