KNOCKING ON LESBIAN HEAVEN`S DOOR
Jane Addaams (USA, 1860 – 1935) part 1

September 2011

 

Before my glorious discovery, I often wished that Harry Potter’s world really existed and that I could attend Hogwarts with the oh-so-clever (and oh-so-hot, she’s old enough now for me to say it) Hermione Granger. However, my beach accident granted me access to a place that is even better than the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I was enjoying an early morning swim when that purple jellyfish stung me. I am usually propelled out of the water by the force of fear every time I see a sea creature other than seaweed, but this beautiful monster mesmerized me and I just couldn’t move. The pain was so great that I fainted. I woke up to the sound of a voice telling me to come in.

“Don’t stay there, dear, Limbo is so boring!”

I realized I was floating –not in the water, but in the air. The woman before me had grey hair and a kind smile. She looked like a fairy tale granny. She beckoned me and turned to the door behind her. Well, I guess I’m dreaming, I thought, floating after her and feeling like an astronaut.

“My name is Jane Addams and I am currently the Head of Lesbian Heaven. Not for very long, though. Elections will take place in the fall. People say Virginia Woolf is going to win them. Not with my vote, however, I think she was too closeted during her life!” She looked at my incredulous face and smiled. “Look around, perhaps this way you’ll understand.” I did as she said and saw lots of women. Some of them where floating, others were sitting down on fluffy chairs and chatting, reading or drinking colorful cocktails. Someone who looked exactly like Frida Kahlo waved her hand at me.

“Am I dead?” I uttered.

“Oh, no, dear, you are just our correspondent. I finally convinced the Lesbian Heaven ladies that we really need one. Us dead dykes –I love this word! A couple of young girls who arrived here a few years ago are teaching me plenty of modern vocabulary- are being forgotten and we simply cannot let it happen. We did our share to change the world and we deserve a place in posterity!”

“But, what can I do about it?” I asked at the same time as I pinched myself to see if I was dreaming.

“Interview us. Write about us. You can start with me. Do you know who I am?”

“Not really, I am sorry.”

“You see?” The woman looked upset. “To think I was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize! And to think that we chose you to be our correspondent because you write for MiraLes Magazine!” I suddenly realized who I was talking to.

“Wait a minute, you are the Jane Addams? The founder of Chicago’s Hull House? The social reformer? Wow!” A small woman with round glasses approached us and handed me a small purple laptop.

“Of course she is the Jane Addams,” she said as she kissed the Head of Lesbian Heaven on the lips. “Here, use this to take notes. It also works in your world, so don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Ellen, love.” Addams held her girlfriend’s hand and looked at me. “Ready, then?”

I nodded, opening the laptop as I sat on one of the heavenly chairs.