Velvetpark

Velvetpark: Dyke Culture in Bloom, is a lesbian and feminist arts and culture website that regularly features music, literature, theater, fine arts, film, television, and social activism as it impacts queer culture. Velvetpark also hosts a social network and dating community for lesbians and queer-identified women.

Publication history

Headquartered in New York City, Velvetpark was launched nationally in 2002 as a print magazine by Grace Moon. In 2005, Moon hired former On Our Backs editor Diana Cage. By 2006, Velvetpark was read in nine countries, on five continents. In 2004, Velvetpark applied for the trademark including the by-line "dyke culture in bloom". The United States Patent and Trademark Office rejected the mark on the grounds that the word "dyke" was "immoral and scandalous". In 2005, Velvetpark amended its application, to have the USPTO recognize the word "dyke" as an accepted and welcomed signifier by the lesbian community. "Velvetpark, Dyke Culture in Bloom" trademark passed in April 2006.[1][2]

In June 2007, Velvetpark produced its final print edition and became an online magazine, hosting text base and media rich content.[3]

In 2009, Velvetpark launched "Velvetpark Mate" an interactive online dating site that marries social networking and custom-built dating features.[4]

In 2010 Velvetpark found itself in the national spotlight when it became the home of the anonymous pieces of then-closeted West Point student Katie Miller,[5][6] who became a LGBT leader in her own right and was featured on The Rachel Maddow Show.[7][8][9]

In September 2011, Grace Moon transitioned to the role of publisher and handed the editorial reins to queer scholar Marcie Bianco. The two currently oversee the site's operations, with a collection of editorial and content contributors.

The site's annual "Top 25 Queer Women" list is renowned for highlighting overlooked LGBT women.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Tötösy de Zepetnek, Steven; Vasvári, Louise O. Comparative Hungarian Cultural Studies. West Lafayette, Ind.: Purdue University Press. p. 200. ISBN 978-1-55753-593-1.
  2. ↑ Liberman, Mark (December 10, 2005). "News flash: "dyke" not (necessarily?) disparaging". Language Log.
  3. ↑ "Velvetpark 3.0: The Future of Lesbian Online Media". GLAAD. July 24, 2009.
  4. ↑ Epstein, Leonora (November 23, 2009). "Meet Velvetpark Mate, A New Lesbian Dating Website". The Frisky.
  5. ↑ "Star cadet quits U.S. military because she is lesbian... and vows to fight law banning gays from service". Daily Mail. August 14, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Lesbian cadet quits US military". IOL News. August 13, 2010.
  7. ↑ Weinstein, Adam (August 12, 2010). "Inside West Point's Lesbian Subculture". Mother Jones.
  8. ↑ Marcie (August 16, 2010). "Lez Review: August 9-15". CherryGRRL. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Rachel Maddow talks with Cadet Sergeant Katie Miller". The Rachel Maddow Show. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "Velvet Park Names its Top 25 Significant Queer Women of 2010". SheWired. December 28, 2010.

External links