In a recent article (“The Subtle Power of Lesbian Style” – June 27) in The New York Times’ Sunday Styles section, reporter Guy Trebay waxes philosophical on a concept previously considered paradoxical to many – “lesbian style”. Lesbian style? To many, these two words sound as ridiculous together as “Bush” and “re-election.” Even many of us lesbians have surrendered to the fact that gay men rightfully take the majority of the fashion kudos in our community. Just look at “Queer Eye”. Clearly, no one is paying five dykes the big bucks to make over anyone’s apartment or wardrobe on primetime TV. As lesbians, we’re more famous for our lack of style than any abundance of it, and you can take your pick from the stereotypes that endorse that opinion. Just the other day, I spotted a card at The Obelisk bookstore that read, “Lesbian Pride” above a flag of red flannel – as if dykes come out of the womb and go straight from diapers to flannel shirts and softball uniforms, or something!

What Mr. Trebay points out in his article, however, is that the stereotype of the fashion-less lesbian may actually be in need of hefty revision. He argues that dykes have actually been fashion trendsetters in recent years, starting fads such as the wifebeater tank/chain-wallet/trucker hat phenomenon that Ashton Kutcher later made famous in the straight world. As Dykedolls creator Stephanie Perdomo is quoted as saying in the piece, “I used to go around Williamsburg [a trendy neighborhood in Brooklyn] and see guys wearing wifebeaters, wallet chains, gas station shirts and trucker hats, and I would think, ‘We used to do that five years ago.’”

Trebay supports his viewpoint on dyke fashion sensibility with the fact that lesbians tend to be more fluid when it comes to gender, and suggests that this relaxed attitude towards gender leads to more daring and groundbreaking fashion choices within the lesbian community. Such gender-play is evident here in San Diego, where lesbians uphold all types of appearances, from über-butch to high-femme to completely androgynous. Swing by Six Degrees on a Friday night and you’re bound to see all types – drag kings buying shots for biker chicks and everything in between. (What you will not find many of, however, are flannel shirts.)

One staple Trebay foolishly leaves out of his article is perhaps the greatest fashion contribution dyke culture has ever added to mankind – the mullet! That’s right, ladies. The ever-criticized, business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back, hairstyle once made (in)famous by lesbians, is now the do-of-choice for many urban hipsters. Swing by Off The Record any day of the week and you’re bound to find two straight sweethearts with matching mullets cannoodling over the CD racks. Whether you’re in support of the mullet as an acceptable hairstyle or not is your choice. The jury is still out on that one. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that way before mullet-wearing rockers covered the pages of Rolling Stone, lesbians were sporting the do all over this country.

For years, fashion critics and academics alike have been quick to dismiss the idea of lesbian style, claiming that lesbians simply don’t feel the same pressure as straight women to be stylish and attractive, since we are not dressing for what’s often referred to as “the male gaze.” In other words, they’re saying that lesbians tend to be less stylish, less in-shape and generally less concerned with appearance because they don’t need to impress men in the same way that straight women do. Although this may be partially true, what theories like this fail to realize is that, contrary to popular belief, lesbians do still live in the real world, where media images and societal standards of conduct and appearance play a large role. Additionally, all those straight women who are supposedly getting decked out to please men are oftentimes not dressing for men at all. Straight men are often clueless when it comes to style. Instead, straight women often dress for other straight women – to compete, to look best in the ladies’ room and to generally feel better about themselves.

When I think about lesbian style, the first word that pops into my head is comfort. After all, isn’t feeling comfortable our main goal when picking out a particular outfit for a particular day? When I speak of comfort, I don’t simply mean it in the “Converse are more comfortable than high-heels” kind of way. What I do mean is that when lesbians dress for themselves (not for work, or a wedding, and so on), we dress to be comfortable as ourselves – whether that means wearing baggy boys’ jeans, or a miniskirt and heels. We dress to feel confident, attractive and comfortable with the fact that although we may not fit the stereotypical model for femininity, we are stylin’ nonetheless.

So this Pride, whatever you wear – be comfortable! Be yourself! Whether you plan to sport an anti-Bush T-shirt, your old prom dress or even a Pride flag wrapped around your waist, you’re beautiful. As far as lesbian style is concerned, you’ve got plenty of it, as long as you’re comfortable with yourself in your heart. As far as your mullet is concerned, however – well, we may have to have another talk about that after Pride!

And now for Queer Abby’s Kick-Ass Girls’ Pride Guide 2004:

If you’re wondering where the ladies will be this year, here are a few suggestions:

For those of you who don’t already know, The Flame has changed ownership and undergone a total makeover. The buzz is that the space looks awesome. Tickets are already going fast for The Flame’s Saturday night Pride party (July 31), Candy, which will be co-sponsored by Lavender Lens magazine. Pre-sale tickets are available at Numbers. The night of the party, tickets will be $15 at the door. On Sunday, Aug.1, The Flame wraps it all up with the Pride Weekend Finale, featuring DJ Sparkee and DJ Brucee Bruce.

On Pride Friday, July 30, Numbers will host their usual Bad Kitties party, complete with the Pussy Posse Dancers, DJ Kiki and VJ Cory. Pre-sale tickets are $10.

Start the evening off with all the hot ladies and some go-go girl action at Bourbon Street’s ladies night, with nacho bar munchies rolling out at 6:00 p.m. for the hungry dyke on the prowl and happy hour lasting until 8:00 p.m. for the cheap dyke on the prowl.

Wondering what’s going on at Six Degrees for Pride? The answer is… plenty. On Pride Friday, dyke-rocker Corday will play live on the patio from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., followed by DJ Rockwell spinning in the main room. On Saturday, DJ Lisa Pittman from Studio 54 will be in the house, adding to a night of dancing and drink specials. On Sunday, the bar opens at 4:00 p.m. with their famous Beer Bust and BBQ, which includes 50-cent Bud Light drafts and $3 burgers. DJ Lisa Pittman returns for a T-dance until 7:00 p.m., followed by an official Dyke March Jell-O Wrestling Fundraiser, complete with Hustler’s Girls! You name it, Six Degrees has got it for Pride, so swing by 3167 India St. and join in the festivities! Covers: $10 Friday, $12 Saturday, $10 Sunday.

If you attend Siren, San Diego’s women’s open mic, you might recognize a few entertainers performing at the Pride festival this year. Siren-favorite Lauren DeRose will hit the Xone Stage on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., as well as the Main Stage on Sunday at 1:15 p.m.; Danielle LoPresti will perform on the Main Stage on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.; Alicia Champion will rock the Xone Stage on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and the Main Stage on Saturday at 4:15 p.m. And folk/rocker Elena will hit the Xone Stage on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. All these women have received rave reviews at Siren, so make sure to check out their Pride performances.

If you’re looking to add a little culture to your Pride experience… local columnist and performer Tryce Czyczynska will be performing her own homoerotic poetry as part of the opening reception for the third annual Erotic Art Exhibition at Sharp Gallery (3807 Ray St.) on Friday, July 30. The show features mixed media visual art from different artists, including a few edgy, gender-bending photographs of Czyczynska. One of four galleries on Ray Street participating in the exhibition, all showings are from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight on opening night, and all viewers must be 18 or older. Call Sharp Gallery at (619) 546-9546 for more information.

Have a safe, jubilant Pride!