By Tryce Czyczynska

Welcome to IN magazine's brand-spanking new women's section, a forum for conversations about what LBT women do and think, and what you think about it! The "Tea Time With Tryce" (that's me!) conversation began years ago in S.D., my current base. I've written and publicized LBT concerns and passions in a multitude of forums, periodicals, art events, marches, and presentations, some of them wired to a mike! Now that our vixen voices can connect with IN's wide distribution throughout San Diego, Orange County, Long Beach, Palm Springs, and Los Angeles, I warn you to save pennies 'cuz you're gonna wanna travel! Chances are if you don't see what you want in your network, it exists in that city over yonder! If you can't travel, incite your womanly gift of creativity to make it happen in your 'hood. Not sure how? Drop me a line, I'll guide the way!

Hopefully, you were guided to the recent Annual Women's Night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, a thoroughly luscious fund-raiser for The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. Purposely expensive, cuz it's ritzy, very Beverly, and a FUNDraiser for sure, it drew countless exquisite faces from serious minded contributors throughout L.A.'s finest females-who-love-females community. And, can I say, I was simply blissed-out?! The quality and diversity of both attendees and awardees was so complete that it felt like a compact microcosm of the global lesbian-bi world at large.

With tall and petite, plump and beyond, slender and athletic, youth to maturity, platinum to grey, white to honey brown, ruddy to blackberry black, femme to butch, androgynous to indescribable -- the powerful common thread of the crowd was a celebration of being women and our ability to give. Oh yeah, and we were all so glamorous! Whether in suits, cocktail dresses or formal gowns, there wasn't a plain woman at the entire affair! How often can you say that? Even the boys who attended were spit-polished and smooth seamed. If I didn't see you there, plan for next year -- you'll feel inspired. Contact the L.A. Center to get on the mailing list for next years' gala, www.LAGLC.org.

Long Beach Pride was just as delicious. Feeling warm with an appetite for womanly beauty, the additional heat from the sun had us all drippin'! You could stop to spot a sexy soul to your left just as another would sneak by your right! With all ages abounding and the cultures rich, LBP continued its tradition of inclusivity (my own made up word!) and fairness between the genders. Bravo!

L.A. Pride, this June 10-12, asks us "How Do You Wear Your Pride?" No, it's not just a theme to mimic the L.A. tendency to notice clothes and appearance before heart and spirit, it's a multiple symbol of being safe enough to be seen as out and proud. It means being able to wear a wedding ring and display your same-sex union photographs at work. It means looking like a bull dyke, flaming queen, or ambiguous gender queer when deep down that's who you are! It means having your insides visible to the outside. And, it means having that visibility protected!

Ever in S.D. and thirsty for experimental theater to quench the feminist intellectual in you? Are you edgy, literate, and craving exposure to female artists from around the country? Then e-mail the producers of T.M.I. (Too Much Information), a once a month event that travels through appropriate venues, and is geared for the open-minded LBT culture. Brought to us by professor Anna Joy of UCSD and one of her fine art grad students, Jenny, this event brings together featured professionals and a brief open-mike for all to share. Contact them at AnnaJoyx@aol.com to get themonthly listings. You'll thank me for it!

Even though LBP had an impressive multitude of women included as entertainers, DJs, MCs, and attendees, as well as resource booths for women, it looks as if L.A. might match 'em this year. Yeah, the 11th Annual LA Dyke March conflicts with some of the LAP happenings -- they're in Silver Lake on Saturday, June 11 -- but the women are ruling as headliners on CSW. We have the timelessly sexy Deborah Harry, lead singer of Blondie; then the other blond Deborah, Gibson, that is, and both India and Tiffany! Not one male headliner! Hmmm... even though LAP has the reputation of low attendance by women, I wonder if this line-up means the girls will come out to play. I will! Come meet me, I'm very friendly!

To check out all that LAP has to offer, go to www.LAPride.org. Even though the title suggests other wise, if you're lookin' for more to do in Southern California, I hear that groups.yahoo.com/group/SanDiegoLesbianLounge/ is a great source. Check it out.

So, keep me "abreast" of what's going on in your neighborhood, and for your community. Let me know of additional resources, events, and issues you haven't seen listed here -- I'll do my best to include them as we grow this celebrated women's section. Why? 'Cuz Women Are IN, baby! Tell me what's up at TeaWithTryce@yahoo.com and ring me at (619) 269-6116. By the way, my name rhymes with Peace!