I’m Taking A Sabbatical!

 Blog: Feb 2, 2017
As announced in my world-shattering, history-changing, long awaited 2016 recap, I'm taking some time off this year to travel, continue work on The Lesbian Lives Project, and reflect on my business strategy (or lack thereof). After hustling as a freelancer for more than ten years with very rare vacations, it's time for me to tip the scale a bit more towards life instead of work. I'll be available for commercial assignments again in the fall. (If you're interested in the concept of sabbaticals and why they're crucial for people working in the creative field, watch Stefan Sagmeister's excellent talk here.)

Mora Mora — 1

 Blog: May 22, 2017
I just came back from a wonderful vacation in Madagascar where I stayed at the Masoala Forest Lodge on the Masoala peninsula. I flew to Maroantsetra from Antananarivo by private plane and was met by the Blue Fin boat crew for the two-hour boat transfer across Antongila Bay. Staying at the lodge and exploring the rainforest with trusted guide Elysee was one of the most wonderful experiences I've ever had and I loved every second of it. I even loved the incessant rain and the fact that my camera stopped working after two days (it got soaked in my backpack). I mean: How adventurous!?

When You Come Back, I Might Be Dead — 2017

 Blog: Apr 7, 2017
Last week, I returned from a three-week reportage trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Thanks to my fantastic fixer and confidante Matshidiso "Manika" Mofokeng, I was able to kick ass, take names, and pretty much finish up the South African chapter of my Lesbian Lives Project book series. All that's left for me to do now is to transcribe a ton of interviews and edit five years worth of copy...which I will do with pleasure. Making a book is so much fun! (I'm being serious: There is nothing more satisfying in the world to me than seeing a book slowly come together.)

God And The World — 2

 Blog: Jul 5, 2016
Elisabeth and Marthi are a lesbian couple living in Bürglen UR. In September 2014, they had their civil union registered, and a month later invited their friends and families to a benediction ceremony in the local church. As the bells tolled, the town's Catholic pastor, Wendelin Bucheli, blessed them in front of sixty guests. Afterwards, everyone got together for drinks and dinner. "It was just like a wedding," they told me. "We had a wonderful day."  

God And The World — 1

 Blog: Jun 21, 2016
Wendelin Bucheli is a Catholic pastor in Bürglen, in the Swiss canton of Uri. In October 2014, Wendelin blessed a lesbian couple in the local church. As a consequence, he was fired by his boss, Bishop Vitus Huonder. After a massive public outcry and much media attention, Wendelin was finally allowed to stay on as a priest in Bürglen. In order to keep his job, he had to sign an official declaration, promising to abstain from same-sex benediction ceremonies in the future.

“So Much Inside Of Me Broke At That Very Moment”

 Blog: Sep 21, 2016
Selina is a lesbian woman living in Bern. She grew up in the small village of Lauenen, close to Gstaad. When she was 21, the father of the girl she was seeing attacked and tried to kill her, and later incited the village against her family: "Keep your girls inside, there's a lesbian plague going around," his message was.

Books