Dive into lesbian bar culture with "Baby, You Are My Religion," a documentary based on Marie Cartier's book that explores how these bars provided refuge, self-expression, and activism for gay women from the 1940s to 1980s. The film and book provide insight into LGBTQ history through firsthand accounts that reveal their lasting impact on American queer culture. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.

‍

Dr. Marie Cartier is a historian, writer, artist, and activist whose work focuses on the intersections of identity, social justice, and spirituality. Her groundbreaking book, Baby You Are My Religion: Women, Gay Bars, and Theology Before Stonewall explores the important role that lesbian bars played as alternate church spaces for the LGBTQ community pre- and post-Stonewall. As an accomplished artist and ritualist, Dr. Cartier's work explores the gay bar as geography for social change-making and community building.

‍

Kimberly Esslinger, a digital media artist, poet, and producer, focuses on sharing stories of lesbians and queer women. She directed Homofiles Presents: Baby, You Are My Religion, and produced the acclaimed "Real Live Lesbian Pulp with Dr. Marie Cartier." Now creating the podcast "DYKE DIVE," she's an organizer and activist dedicated to social justice and amplifying queer voices.

‍

‍

7:30 doors

8pm screening + panel discussion

‍

‍

As part of ONE Archives Foundation’s 2023 Circa: Queer Histories Festival Whammy! hosts three screenings and one expanded cinema performance piece on the 14th, 17th, 18th and 22nd.

‍

‍

Photo from Carolyn Weathers and ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives/Carolyn Weathers Collection

‍

‍